Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my kitty Kimba since she was a baby. She's 3 years old and some change now. Since I've had her, she has had several really scary coughing spells. They usually last about 1 minute or so, and she stretches her neck out low to the floor and moves her head back and forth as shes coughing. I've seen her do it maybe 5 times in her life (but I'm not home during weekdays, so it could happen when I'm at work). She doesn't wheeze or have any other breathing problems, has no dishcharge, is indoor only and vaccinated, and once the spell is over, she acts like it was nothing, and continues running and wrestling with her brothers like a crazy kitten. It doesn't seem to be triggered by exercise at all, as oftentimes it occurs when she is just sitting around. Could this be asthma? or do you think maybe she just gets something caught in her throat? I would take her to the vet, but it's such a rare occurence that most likely xrays arent going to show anything, and I don't want to put her on steroids for the slight chance she MAY have asthma. Any input is appreciated.
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2.3 Wonderful kitties "KIMBA, TOPAZ, KENGEE, GULLIVER AND TANTOR"
0.1 WTF "Pepe"
1.1 Firebelly toads "Bif & Kaboom"
0.0.1 Painted (chubby) frog "Millhouse"
0.1 Normal Cornsnake "Skoda"
1.1 Bettas

Hi There,

I always worry when cats cough because it can be a symptom of something serious. Your cat may have asthma, but it would take a vet exam and possibly x-rays to know for sure. Most asthmatic cats have a pattern in the lungs when an x-ray is taken. This is known as "donuts".

There is also a possibility that a heart problem is present. Most cats with heart problems will cough. Another good reason to have x-rays taken would be to see the size and shape of the heart and if there is any fluid in the chest.

You may not detect any wheezing, but it can still be there. It can be hard to detect without a stethoscope.

To be safe, a vet visit is your best bet. Try to be open to steroids if your vet recommends them. They are a real lifesaver to an asthmatic cat. My asthmatic kitty has been on steroids for over 8 years with no problems at all. There are other non-steroid drugs that can be used as well.

Take care, and please keep us updated.

Regards,
PHKitkat

samster, I hope Kimba is well. This sounds exactly like what I'm experiencing with my cat Spike, and I am curious to hear what happened with your kitty.

an Update on Kimba....

She had another attack last week, so I took her to the vet right away. She listened to her lungs and heart and said they sound clear. She told me that she has actually seen a fair amount of this type of behavior and thinks that it is probably a little allergy, and may be asthma. She said that we could do x-rays, but unless there was something severe in there (which was doubtful), her asthma does not seem bad enough to treat anyways. so I brought her home, and if she ever gets worse, or seems to have a difficult time breathing when she has her episodes, then I will go in and get x-rays for sure. She also said there was a chance she could have a polyp of some kind in her nasal passages, but that will be hard to determine, and since she has been having these episodes since she was a kitten, it may not be changing, but just be a growth in there. So I guess I will just wait and see...

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2.3 Wonderful kitties "KIMBA, TOPAZ, KENGEE, GULLIVER AND TANTOR"
0.1 WTF "Pepe"
1.1 Firebelly toads "Bif & Kaboom"
0.0.1 Painted (chubby) frog "Millhouse"
0.1 Normal Cornsnake "Skoda"
1.1 Bettas