my cat keep coughing....and doctors cannot find the problem

[leslie217]

my cat cough once a day or two, she will try to take a deep breath, and try to cough something out from her lung or stomach whatever

although i try to take her to doctors and show her coughing videos, because she cough so occasionally in a day she never cough in front of the doctors

the doctors said the only way to find out what happened is to do a full body check as they cannot find any problem without x-rays and so on

i want to know asthma happens in cats?

besides coughing, she is completely fine, eat well, playing well, sleep well nothing strange happens at all, but her coughing issues already exist like 2years since she was 1 years old

 

[stephenq]

 
my cat cough once a day or two, she will try to take a deep breath, and try to cough something out from her lung or stomach whatever

although i try to take her to doctors and show her coughing videos, because she cough so occasionally in a day she never cough in front of the doctors

the doctors said the only way to find out what happened is to do a full body check as they cannot find any problem without x-rays and so on

i want to know asthma happens in cats?

besides coughing, she is completely fine, eat well, playing well, sleep well nothing strange happens at all, but her coughing issues already exist like 2years since she was 1 years old

Hi

Here are 2 links on feline asthma:

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/asthma-symptoms-cats

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_resources/Asthma.cfm

Has she ever brought up a hairball?

 

[leslie217]

no, most of the time she just cough without any hairball

 

[tammyp]

Asthma certainly does occur in cats.  

Is she coughing with her neck extended forward and low?

My cat coughs like this.  He may have asthma, but the only way to tell is to do an x-ray.  

It is something we may need to do, but he also suffers from respiratory infections.  At this stage, we think the coughing is strongly associated with a flare in his cat colds (he probably has feline herpes virus, which flares from time to time).  We have noticed that cold weather brings on his respiratory flares, and coughing is often a first symptom.  It will then progress to watery eyes.  This is all viral, so we have also found that daily lysine helps to keep the virus dormant.  If his flare keeps going, and a secondary infection starts in his eyes - he gets gummy eyes - then it is time to see the vet, immediately (the risk is blindness).  

Is your cat only coughing?  Or are there other symptoms?

I think videoing your cat coughing is an excellent idea.  That way your vet will be able to see and hear.

 

[donutte]

My kitties cough like that sometimes (with neck extended). I don't know if it's just a virus but they do it a few times for a few days, then be fine for a few weeks or months before doing it again. No other symptoms at all. Never thought about doing videos, of course I'd probably end up missing it.

Lucky seems to be the worst with it though, either that or I just notice more because he sleeps with me. He had a coughing spell last night ironically enough. I'm a bit afraid taking him to the vet would be a traumatic experience for him since he's terrified of men and people he doesn't know in general. I don't want to freak him into having a heart attack or stroke. He's 16 and I feel like I have to play that "what would be worse for him at this point" game. Obviously if I had an inkling he's got something wrong he'd be going to the vet.

And like yours, he's in good health otherwise. He gets done coughing, purrs and rubs his head into my hand, and curls up into the crook of my arm. He's fine this morning, running around like the crazy kitten he acts like.

 

[leslie217]

 
Asthma certainly does occur in cats.  

Is she coughing with her neck extended forward and low?

My cat coughs like this.  He may have asthma, but the only way to tell is to do an x-ray.  

It is something we may need to do, but he also suffers from respiratory infections.  At this stage, we think the coughing is strongly associated with a flare in his cat colds (he probably has feline herpes virus, which flares from time to time).  We have noticed that cold weather brings on his respiratory flares, and coughing is often a first symptom.  It will then progress to watery eyes.  This is all viral, so we have also found that daily lysine helps to keep the virus dormant.  If his flare keeps going, and a secondary infection starts in his eyes - he gets gummy eyes - then it is time to see the vet, immediately (the risk is blindness).  

Is your cat only coughing?  Or are there other symptoms?

I think videoing your cat coughing is an excellent idea.  That way your vet will be able to see and hear.

she only coughs, nothing other than that happens

 

[di and bob]

You should have a chest x-ray performed, they are probably the least expensive of a lot of tests. My cat coughed off and on for months and the x-ray showed he had an enlarged heart. He was started on lasix, 7 months ago and has only coughed maybe three times. The x-ray would show the condition of the lungs too. I pray it is nothing serious with your baby, I know how the not knowing is the worst. All the luck!

 

[puck]

Yes, cats can have asthma. Sometimes even a board certified radiologist needs a veterinary cardiologist to distinguish asthma from heart failure on Xray imaging with or without an echocardiogram. Coughing is a symptom of both conditions.

Increased respiratory rate (breaths per minute at rest and when active) as well as respiratory effort are also indicators of both asthma and heart failure.

If only 1 or 2 coughs per day for a short duration, it may be esophogeal reflux associated with an empty stomach, hairball, or grass ingestion, but non-productive, not seeing any actual bile, hair, or grass produced respectively.

Normal heart sounds and rhythm when doctors listened to her chest? Normal lung sounds, no muffling or crackling/wheezing reported?

 

[leslie217]

 
Yes, cats can have asthma. Sometimes even a board certified radiologist needs a veterinary cardiologist to distinguish asthma from heart failure on Xray imaging with or without an echocardiogram. Coughing is a symptom of both conditions.

Increased respiratory rate (breaths per minute at rest and when active) as well as respiratory effort are also indicators of both asthma and heart failure.

If only 1 or 2 coughs per day for a short duration, it may be esophogeal reflux associated with an empty stomach, hairball, or grass ingestion, but non-productive, not seeing any actual bile, hair, or grass produced respectively.

Normal heart sounds and rhythm when doctors listened to her chest? Normal lung sounds, no muffling or crackling/wheezing reported?

doctors have tried to listen to her heart and lungs, they both said nothing special (i have asked the same issue twice)

they said they need further check like x-ray to know more

 

[puck]

Your best option, since she is stable, not having difficulty breathing or increased rate/effort, no moist rattling or crackling obviously indicating lung infection, would be a cardiologist consult with an Echo, as they can distinguish novel lung and heart sounds just by listening. Rather than pay for regular vet Xrays that they may not be able to read/interpret and unable to definitely say "Yes she has asthma, No she doesn't have heart disease," or "No asthma or heart disease, now I recommend treatment for esophagitis and regurg since those are ruled out definitively."

That consult is a solid investment of $300-350, including the thorough exam, doppler blood pressure, echo, with or without chest Xrays, and professional interpretation of those heart and lung images. If they see lung pattern indicating asthma on their imaging, they will still prescribe a plan and treatment course, not only sticking to the cardiovascular system. Most cardiologists are bully critical care specialists also; they know their stuff!

Treatment for asthma can induce a heart failure cat into a fluid filled chest, or pleural effusion; treatment for pleural effusion in a cat that doesn't have it can increase respiratory distress in a potentially asthamatic cat. This is why "definitive diagnosis" is so important, ruling one condition out, before electing a treatment path. Are one of your cat's doctors willing to discuss which diagnosis they most strongly suspect based on ausculting his chest, watching him breathe, and listening to your observations?

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

OK, this video is difficult to watch,  but this member posted the video for all other members to be aware that coughing CAN definitely be a sign of heart issues. 

For any of you who are uncertain what the coughing might mean, please watch this video and see if it's anything like what your cat is doing.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/239533/cat-cough-when-it-can-turn-out-to-be-a-sign-of-a-deadly-disease

 

[Columbine]

Just watched that video. The really significant point is that style of cough. Coughing with gagging/retching and lots of swallowing is symptomatic of fluid on the lungs. Cat coughs fluid up, then either spits up or swallows down that fluid. As a chf mom I wanted to point that out for others.

Poor little Gracie was an extreme example.

 

[detmut]

you can find out if there is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist in your area at this site:

http://www.acvim.org/AnimalOwners/FindaSpecialist.aspx

 

[LTS3]

Just watched that video. The really significant point is that style of cough. Coughing with gagging/retching and lots of swallowing is symptomatic of fluid on the lungs. Cat coughs fluid up, then either spits up or swallows down that fluid. As a chf mom I wanted to point that out for others.

Would that also include lip smacking and air gasping? My Aby had a weird coughing /lip smacking / swallowing/ / air gasping thing when he was younger. Nothing ever came up: no hairball, no puke, etc

The vet saw the videos I took and couldn't figure it out. He did a thorough exam (with bloodwork and ultrasound and x ray) and even had a specialist do an endoscopy into my Aby's throat but nothing was ever found. My Aby eventually stopped coughing, though once in awhile he'll make sort of wet hiccupy gasping noses while crouched on the floor but no extended neck and he does swallow hard after the 'episode".

I do know what asthma sounds like. My previous cat had it and did well on Flovent twice a day. He was diagnosed with a tracheal wash.

 

[Columbine]

Fluid on the lungs does not go away or improve by itself. Unless it's treated (usually diuretics) it continues to build and the animal slowly suffocates. That's my understanding anyway.

It's highly unlikely that that was the root of Aby's cough - one of the first things I imagine the vet did would have been listen to his chest with a stethoscope. That's how fluid on the lungs is diagnosed in my experience.

It sounds like Aby was thoroughly checked over. If there'd been any sign of heart problems I'm sure those tests would have found it.

 

[leslie217]

i record 1 min video of her coughing...but it is in my iphone and i dont know how to upload it

to be honest in order to make sure she is healthy i really dont mind to pay money but i dont want useless cycles of checking around again and again, since she is not comfortable to face strangers

 

[LTS3]

Fluid on the lungs does not go away or improve by itself. Unless it's treated (usually diuretics) it continues to build and the animal slowly suffocates. That's my understanding anyway.

It's highly unlikely that that was the root of Aby's cough - one of the first things I imagine the vet did would have been listen to his chest with a stethoscope. That's how fluid on the lungs is diagnosed in my experience.

It sounds like Aby was thoroughly checked over. If there'd been any sign of heart problems I'm sure those tests would have found it.

Yes, the vet checked every inch of my Aby. He's still scratching his head and stumped because every time I bring my Aby in for a yearly check up he asks about it

 
i record 1 min video of her coughing...but it is in my iphone and i dont know how to upload it

This might have info: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/275740/how-to-post-pictures-from-an-ipad-iphone I think a video would have to be uploaded to YouTube or something and then the link posted here.