Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, everyone. Just joined the boards! Purrrrrrrfect for me!

Anyway, one of my cats, Codi, who is going to be 15 this year, has always been quite healthy. In the past few months, I noticed that sometimes, his breathing is funny. His abdomen would rise and fall with his breathing in a much more pronounced way. His exhale seemed to short and forced. He was always purring loudly ... But he was eating, using the litter box, etc. I would notice this after he eats more, but I figured that's when I see him most (when I feed him in the morning before work, and when I feed him after work).
Then -- one night last week I noticed he was in alot of discomfort. His purr was SOOO loud ... he looked/acted depressed, the expansion of his abdomen was so pronounced, and I saw him breathing with his mouth open.
Next morning, I brought him to the vet. With two visits, they tested his blood, urine (for kidney problems), heart (echocardiogram), and of course a regular exam. His heart and kidney seem healthy. Blood tests came out OK.
They diagnosed him with asthma, although admittedly at the vet his breathing was more "nervous" then anything else (he is a very good patient but of course gets really nervous).
He got a shot of either cortisone or prednisone - which seemed to help for about a week!
Last night I noticed his breathing was funny again after he ate dinner. He didn't eat alot. This morning he was FINE before I fed him. Thank goodness, I'm thinking a small asthma 'attack'. Then ..... tonight he is breathing funny AGAIN after eating. I also notice that once tonight, and once last night, he got a little 'twitch' above his hip. I think the left side. I'm feeding him what I've always fed him. He ONLY eats cat food, no table scraps or "human" food. And, only fish flavored.
So now I'm thinking he has a digestive problem. But how can that affect his breathing? An obstruction?
Also, his swallowing, after eating (just regular swallowing of saliva) seems exaggerated.
He looks uncomfortable. He also didn't eat alot tonight, probably due to whatever pain he is in due to the little bit he did eat.
I'm sorry this is so long.
Of course, I will take him back to the vet, but I wanted to know if anyone else can relate?

Thanks,
Carol

PS He doesnt' really 'throw up' often except for the occassional hairball, or if he eats with gusto and forgets to chew his dry cat food

I forgot to mention that he had x-rays taken too. Mainly to check for enlargement of his heart. To double check that's when he had the echocardiogram.
Just wanted to mention about the x-rays.

Sorry I keep replying to my own messages! I didn't realize I could post a picture.
Here is a picture of Codi (right) with his sister, Cali.

Hi There,

Welcome to the Boards!

It sounds like your cat has been checked out thoroughly, which is very good since he is a senior. As I'm sure you know, older cats are prone to many different things.

I have a cat that has had asthma for 8 years so I have quite a bit of experience with the disease. When a cat is in the midst of an attack, and struggling to get air into it's lungs, the stomach can become full of air. Usually an asthmatic cat will not eat during an attack and may not want to eat for awhile afterwards if there is air in the stomach. Some of the medication used to treat asthma can also be hard on the stomach.

Steroids are often used in treating feline asthma, but they are not equal. Dexamethasone is a type used during an attack but it only lasts for a short time. Depomedrol will usually give relief for up to a month. Most cats respond very well to Depo but every case is different.

If you still think your cat has a digestive problem, I recommend further diagnostics. An upper GI series and/or abdominal ultrasound might be helpful.

Take care, and please let us know how your kitty is doing.

Regards,
PHKitkat

Thanks so much KitKat!

That helps to know about the 'asthma attacks'. That must be what's happening. Because since I wrote that message, Codi hasn't had a hard time after eating and isn't so lethargic.

I'll keep an eye on him .... (I'm always checking his breathing!).

Codi thanks you very much

Meow!
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^..^ ^..^

Hi There,

I'm so happy to hear that Codi has been doing better! Thanks for the update

Please feel free to post again if you have any more questions.

Regards,
PHKitkat