Why is Your Cat Coughing? A Vet Explains How to Help

Why is Your Cat Coughing? A Vet Explains How to Help.
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[@silver_crone]

My cat had a cough that was worrying a few years ago. All tests came back clean. I use non-scented everything for my own asthma, so it wasn't that. She was on raw food at the time, perfectly healthy otherwise. My vet suggested a limited ingredient diet with a novel protein to rule out food allergies, and low and behold, chicken it was. Once I cut out chicken, the coughing stopped and has not returned. Recently I've tried duck and quail as another novel protein, but the cough returned with it. No feather friends for this girl. I'm grateful that my vet, after all the testing, suggested altering her diet.

[@robertgladstein]

That was a great reverse sneeze 😺😸😸

[@obiwann785]

My kitten was coughing, like he was trying to bring up a furball. He was diagnosed with asthma and has to have an inhaler twice a day. He's a black cat and I'd already named him Vader prior to diagnosis but slightly concerned I jinxed him 😩

[@rdizzy1]

My cat had a diagnosis of asthma from chain bouts of coughing for 10 years straight, treated with steroids and bronchodilators the entire time, every single day for 10 years straight. Then she started to have some leaky eye issues and runny nose, so an online vet prescribed 3 weeks worth of antibiotics. After the 3 weeks of antibiotics, the "asthma" she had for 10 years completely disappeared, totally 100% gone. (She has not had a coughing fit for 3 years now). It is absolutely insane that no vet prior had tried antibiotics, and I have no clue why the antibiotics "cured" her "asthma", but I'm glad I saw that online vet, at least her last few elderly years will be cough free.

[@InGreed666]

Which online vet was it? 🙏🏻

[@sarajanehaven]

The reverse sneeze was perfect! I have a very healthy indoor/outdoor cat this has happened to twice during the same time of year (end of summer). I'm fairly certain now the culprit is grass seed that has tiny barbs that get stuck in his nasal passage or esophagus when he sniffs and/or eats the grass. In both cases, the sneezing was intermittent and resolved in a couple of days on its own.

[@AllAboutCatsYT]

Huge thanks to Dr Sarah Wooten for all her wonderful expertise! 😻If you want to see more from her why not check out her video about what cats get up to all day - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHm3XmiVfKmootU

[@mahadevovnl]

One of my cats has that dry cough once in a while, too often to be normal. He's had it since he was a newborn kitten. Wheezing, too, but briefly. He was initially diagnosed with asthma but.. the inhalers didn't do anything for him. They're super expensive and I never noticed him having trouble breathing. So with my vet I decided to stop giving it to him (daily) and... nothing changed, nothing worse and nothing better. Their scans indicated it might've been asthma, but it might also not be. I tried different types of litter, and the less dusty ones seem to make him cough less. And now I got myself a litter robot, it's almost entirely stopped. I did buy a stethoscope to listen to his lungs, and his lungs do sound a little bit more rough than my other cat. So I'm guessing it's an allergy, perhaps something in the litter that I use and that he prefers. He's eating well, drinking well, playful, loving, has a stable and healthy weight, and that's that. He's alright with the inhalers, though. And I have 2 types at the ready for if/when he needs it. But no more daily puffs. I wish I knew for sure what it is, but he seems otherwise healthy and happy. So I'll keep a close eye on him :)

[@MURZBO]

Dr Wooten thank you so much for this 3:50 love it!

[@tanlinh6513]

My cat started coughing when he was 8 months old, and the vet described prenisolin. The cough came back a month or two later, and we did all the tests. Ebverything came back normal. My cat coughed every 2 months or so now, and the vet recommended to perform the BAL procedure, then he spitted out a hairball. I still dont know what he has, but the procedure is on hold until I see the cough again. He kinda wheezed a little today but not an actual cough. The second vet suggested no BAL and straight to the trial treatment for asthma. I am confused. I then adopted another one and she started coughing after 3 days, so again, I freaked out and to the vet we went. There were a million reasons for it to happen, the vet said, might be because of the stress during the transition process and such. I dont use fragrance, no essential oil, no candles, no smoke, no nothing so the two vet still cant give me the answer. I dont know what I am hoping for honestly, but I am preparing myself mentally for asthma. It hurts seeing him coughing every time. Sorry for the vent, but the conclusion is it can be a lot of thing, and you might never know the actual reason.

[@user-sb8ep4dz8s]

That was a great reverse sneeze

[@nervousbabbs2769]

😂🎉 you're reverse sneeze was so funny I feel like I can speak for everyone when I say that we really appreciate your expertise ❤️ even if it does make you look silly sometimes😂

[@regineheine5707]

My vet found a change in white blood cells often shown in allergies. I realized her coughing could be due to an allergy to dust resp. mites. I bought a special small vacuum cleaner which also uses UV- light. My cat stopped coughing within two days. She hated the noise of the vacuum cleaner . So I was too lazy doing this . Before we moved she had access to a garden, left the condo and came back in when I called her. She is 14 years old now and didn‘t miss the garden, became an indoor cat.

[@julegate]

Would it be possible to share which vacuum cleaner you purchased? Thank you.

[@Morgan-uw4js]

My cat started coughing last fall and my lovely vets were able to get us a heartworm diagnosis quickly and we were able to get confirmation from a cardiologist specialist. Doxycycline and prenisone were prescribed to calm the initial inflammation and take care of the symbiotic bacteria. We have been on a fluticasone inhaler twice a day since tapering off the prednisone. Her bloodwork now shows a female worm has died since her diagnosis but we do not know if there are any males left. I am hoping in another 6 months her xrays show minimal inflammation in thr lungs and her bloodwork comes back clear so we can ditch the inhaler.

[@rostasi]

Our cat only seems to cough when he's playing and rolling around on his back - kinda when he gets a bit frustrated during play. His head is always upside down when he does this.

[@richardfurlong2246]

I always thought they were just trying to hack up a hairball.

[@semanurbaltaci]

this video came just at the right time, thank you dr. sarah wooten! my cat has been coughing every three days. we went to the vet two times. first he gave us anti hairball paste (in case it's due to hairballs) and the second time he gave us prednisolone tablettes. he said if the tablettes work, it's likely she has asthma. if they don't help, it's not asthma and we'd have to do an X-ray. has anyone experienced something similar? I wonder if the tablettes help, because if she has asthma she'd need them all her life. atleast that's what the vet said.

[@Killer_Turnip]

Not sure if it'll help in your case, but my cat had a brief issue with early spring seasonal allergies (stuffy, wet nose and itchy areas of skin). She did a lot better once we changed the house's air filter (it was pretty dirty), and added an air purifier to the room she hung out in most. Could give it a try if it's asthma. I know for human asthma it's recommend to vacuum/mop weekly on floors and under furniture if possible, and clean bedding on hot temperatures. There's special allergen/asthma certified vacuums too. I'm sure your vet will know much more than me though. I wish you and your kitty all the best! ❤

[@proverbsthirty-one6531]

This was very helpful. Thank you

[@rcar16]

I really appreciate these videos

[@pistolguts7416]

My cat was coughing bad. Took 3 different vets and finally an X-ray. Found out the top membrane of her trachea is caving in. They said it's usually something that happens to small dogs.

[@InGreed666]

What can you do about it?

[@merlingrim2843]

Great video … many thanks!

[@noizeemama3697]

I got a cat from a barn. Their kittens were dying due to all this sneezing and mucus that was going on. Took her to the vet and they couldn't easily see but I had her spaying set up. When she was under and they pulled the tube out of her throat the vet saw what was on the tube and sent it in to be analyzed (he knew I'd be willing to pay for it). It was kennel cough. Not what he had expected. The best part is, the farm then knew what was wrong with their barn cats and were able to treat them. For those that don't know, farmers cannot afford vet care for barn cats. They die within three years anyway. Oh, mine wasn't coughing, but sneezing all the time. It was so gross. She was constantly sneezing mucus on my curtains, furniture, floor, and of course on me especially in my face.

[@stephaniephouotrides2435]

I'm a farmer and I give all my barn cats proper vet care; not all farmers think cats are throw away animals

[@noizeemama3697]

@@stephaniephouotrides2435 Nice to hear.

[@hsoderberg6505]

It's an over-generalization to say that farmers don't have the money for vet care for cats. Some have the money but choose not to spend it on cats.

[@carynmiller1]

Great idea

[@wejoin]

Loved your video!! ❤️ My cat is “FUR MOWING” please do a video on this please 🙏

[@nightlurker]

I have two boys from the same litter and both of them have coughing "fits" when thy get excited. It happened quite a lot when they were young (less than 18 months) but now is rare but still happens on the odd occasion when excited. My vet said to keep an eye on when it happens but if it is just due to excitement it was nothing to worry about.

[@justsayin1]

Great video. My 9yr old cat started sneezing in October with lots of nasal discharge with the sneezing and runny nose but no eye discharge. Feb rolled around and still sneezing but less frequently and seemed to be recovering but then a cough started. Off to the vet I went. She wasn't to concerned and said he sounded clear and suggested trying antihistamine of specific type to see if it was a new allergy. I haven't been able to He's a bit guy and I just haven't been able to because he fights me..Fast forward to May, still has the occasional sneeze with lots of discharge and runny nose regularly and is coughing more frequently. Still trying to address it.

[@purrsephone2904]

Thanks, Dr. Wooten. I'd be interested in learning more about Bordetella. I think you mentioned vaccinating for respiratory illness, but I've heard the vaccines can be bad for the cat. I like to know about vaccines for cats in general.

[@anikejulien7273]

We would see our cats do this and think they just wouldn't be able to cough up hairballs for some weird reason but now were seeing it's that they're coughing. All 3 of them😕. It looks like they're dry heaving, but something wants to come out, and most of the time, they end up swallowing it. To the vet we go.

[@Richarmed]

My cat is now one. She's been coughing after she drinks water ever since she was 14 weeks. I've been to the vet sp often but nothing seems to work. The only thing the prednison treatment did is make it impossible for her to take tablets now. She's also an extreme picky eater. She does not take any wet foods. I've tried so many brands and textures. So she can't get extra fluids from there. She's also losing a bit of weight again. It keeps going up and down. She doesn't appear to be sick tho. I do know she's not healthy. And I hate not being able to figure out what it is. Or how to help her. She just turned one this March

[@Vidchemy]

Sorry your cat isn't as healthy as she should be. Has her esophagus been checked? My cat's situation is different, but I found elevating his food bowl reduced his vomiting. He still occassionally wheezes after feeding, and I suspect he is aspirating water, by drinking too fast during zoomies or sniffing at the surface. It's hard finding a larger elevated water dish that tilts, though. Hope you can find a solution that works for your cat

[@Richarmed]

@Vidchemy I suggested her drinking too fast too. But the vet didn't think that. She has an elevated foodbowl and a water fontein. But doesn't matter if its a fontein or a plain bowl. She does it at both. Not all the time tho. It's just sad she has so many issues at such a young age.

[@kevinaz842]

Thank you very much, can you please help with a pale nose by cats? what is the reason? Also cold ears?

[@unknownerror6669]

My 7 mo kitten has coughed several times since she was 3 mo. I think it's when she chews on cardboard or other packaging materials. I think she's learning not to do that.

[@yvonnerogers6429]

👍🏻

[@CandycaneBeyond]

What about heavy breathing?

[@rhuwrong1135]

Thanks mam...haha ur funny aswell 😄😊

[@marianadelgado1709]

My cat caughs only when purring...she breathes normally when sleeping . Gave her medicine but didn't work...could it be allergies?

[@MoonLight-gm6zm]

What is the treatment for inhaled foreign object??? My cat has most likely inhaled a piece of cat grass and has been coughing the whole night. It has now gotten a bit better now, but he still continues to cough now and again.

[@celestialstar6450]

Go to a vet

[@Thenamealishan]

I have a question can I please ask? I have a showcase with some stuff on it. I am worried if my new cat will be intrigued by it or will leave it alone. I am planning to keep few things for cat to not engage with items on the shelves. I need your suggestion regarding this. Thanks

[@tanlinh6513]

The best thing I can think of is an enclosed glass case for your stuffs. Sorry my little guy doesnt touch things, he accidentally knocked them off, and has great interest in the kitchen counter that I have double sided tape all over and only worked for a short time. You can also try the double sided tape around the stuffs and see if that works, for the time it does 😅

[@dadoalobaedy1527]

I had my cat castrated two weeks ago, but he began to show habits of requesting mating, such as putting the quilt between his feet and doing what male cats do during mating. He never married. He was castrated at the age of eight to nine months Is this normal and when does it stop? He becomes violent when he does this and I am afraid😢

[@mycatsinthegarden]

If an x-ray doesn't indicate asthma, and the coughing is assumed to be caused by a seasonal allergen because it doesn't happen in the winter, might some sort of antihistamine help?

[@josephtravis8880]

I know there is a type of antihistamine cats can take because my vet prescribed one for one of my cats. It's been so long now, though, that I don't remember what it was. You might just want to call your vet and ask for a recommendation.

[@Alena-lz4gh]

Dark mechanic 64

[@boyasia5874]

Hairball maybe..

[@sissa4790]

Are you single?

[@ialrakis5173]

really disappointed that there's no interaction. Posting a video is one thing but it triggers questions from viewers. Just ignoring them is rather rude and not what YT is about.

[@kayo5291]

It’s a brand new video, let’s give her a chance. Also I think it’s not her channel, so she may not have access.