Hairball or Asthma?

Just to be clear, the steam idea is not *instead of* a vet visit, its *in addition to* the vet visit, just while vet day arrives

Well, London got really excited about dinner and had an episode. It sounded like a puffing/honking/gulping. Now comes the scary week-end. Ugh, he's doing it again...he puffs hard through his nose, too. He looks at me like Help me! I feel awful, awful, awful.

My vet called the honking "goose honking". That sounded right. I had recorded an episode on my phone so she could hear exactly what was going on since I obviously couldn't make her have an episode on command.


I felt horrible too and had to wait a while to get in. I couldn't wait to see the vet and get steroids. She was so much better within days of the steroid shot. Abby mostly wanted to be left alone during and after an episode and then if another didn't follow she'd act normally again. It was worst when they happened close together.


The hope I can offer you is that aside from maybe 10 episodes that were much, much milder, she's been fine since May. The episodes she did have were probably related to a combination of cleaner and stress. The ones she's had since the steroids have been brief and really haven't phased her. It can get better and I truly believe it will get better for you.

The steamy shower is a good idea. I've done that with my now in heaven boy. He also responded well to a humidifier if you have one. I'd put it on the floor near him and try to point it at him. I had to move around a lot to keep it on him but it did help. He was helped by the shower but wasn't all that fond of being shut in the bathroom with me. I never tried it with Abby. If she has another round I'll try the shower first nad humidifier 2nd.

Aw, *Beth* sweetie, hard to read. Hoping that vet calls soon.

I've had cats all my life, and only a few times did one of them exhibit an asthma-type reaction. And I know how those simple, short-lived episodes upset and worried me.

I hope all the humidity and steam help! Every day can seem to be endless when a pet is in need of medical help. It's because we love them so.

It could be dryness. But I don’t find AC to be drying the air the way furnace does. But then again my daughter’s cat developed asthma possibly (according to the vet) because it was very damp where she lived. When she moved to a dry place, he eventually recovered. So dry air might not be an issue

Beth, just wanted to let you know I've been thinking of you and London.

for Beth and London

Beth on payday I'll send you some money to help, I wish I still had Ebonys inhaler mask thing, I gave it to the rescue Willow came from though

Beth, you might be eligible (spelling) for the community fund drive thing?

if your in the usa

Quote:

Originally Posted by willowtigger Beth on payday I'll send you some money to help, I wish I still had Ebonys inhaler mask thing, I gave it to the rescue Willow came from though

Oh, sweetie Thank you, but please don't bother yourself to send money. It would be such a hassle for you, you being in the UK and me being in the US.

Yes, I am eligible for a Community Fundraiser. A very kind mod let me know that. But I'm not going to use that yet, since a dear friend has set up other options at this time.

Rainbow, MG, Divine, liz, Willow, your friendship and support are more precious to me than any words can express. I send love to each of you. Thank you.

I remember worrying every time I finished work about what I would find when I got home, I know how difficult it is having a cat with asthma

Uggggh, London had gone about 48 hours without an episode, but he just had one. There's no wheezing, he just sounded like he was trying to bring up a hairball and had his neck stretched out. This episode lasted for about 3 minutes, then he jumped up into the window and seemed fine. After that, he fell asleep on the cat tree, but then he usually does nap at this time of the day. So it's been about 2 1/2 weeks since he started doing this. Every time he stops for a couple of days I relax. Then when he has another episode I feel like I'm going to get sick with anxiety. And he always looks at me with his big gold eyes as if he wants me to do something to help him. It's heart-wrenching.

How has he done today? (And how are you doing with the stress?).

How much longer until the vet visit?

Thinking of you both

I'm hoping London will get successfully treated at the vet when the mystery is solved. "London" is a nice name for your kitty.

Please let us know how he's doing.

Ugh, forgive me for not updating last night. I'm having some med changes, I'm spacey, forgetful - and (due to street repair nearby) my internet keeps going down. *sigh*

Anyway. London's vet visit went as well as could be. I like our vet; she's serious, but good-natured, thoughtful, and intelligent.

London has a "mild asthma." The vet doesn't want to put him on steroids at this point - unless his symptoms become more severe. IF he needs steroids he would begin with oral medication. Hopefully, he will never progress to needing steroid shots or an inhaler.


There are a number of bad side-effects with steroids, among them, steroids can cause feline diabetes. And since my cat Sidney is diabetic, I know what an awful disease it is.

The plan: track London's episodes. Whenever he has one write down date, time, etc.

Change the clay litter to wheat pellets. I'm a bit shocked at the price of wheat litter but, I have to try it out.

The vet did bring up air conditioning. Apparently it does dry the air and cause asthmatic animals to have more episodes. Some people use air filters in their a/c's. I am going to check that out online and see what it's about. Since I rent I don't know if an air filter is doable.

That's all I can think of right now. Yesterday and today have - so far - been good; London hasn't had any breathing issues. Poor guy was terrified at the vet's office, but he was snuggly and courageous.

I want to thank each of you for your friendship and support. It means the world!

I hope London keeps improving.

Do you have air purifying machine with hepa filter? Some are extremely expensive but there are some reasonable ones. They might help to clean the air

This is the cheapest I saw so far
Amazon.com

If you live in a small place you could just move it around positioning it in different spots

Beth, sounds like relatively good news from the vet. I didn't know about steroids contributing to diabetes. Thanks for telling us.

You will want to gradually switch litters to help him adjust to the change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966 I hope London keeps improving. Do you have air purifying machine with hepa filter? Some are extremely expensive but there are some reasonable ones. They might help to clean the air This is the cheapest I saw so far Amazon.com If you live in a small place you could just move it around positioning it in different spots

Thank you very much for looking that up for me, divine. I was just going to do it, so you saved me some time, which seems to be a precious commodity this week.

My apartment is tiny. I could set the air purifier in the center of my apartment and it would reach every room, except not really the bathroom.

I'm so glad London's asthma is not severe

Sounds good overall. I use an air purifier to help with my allergies.

I am glad you’ll consider it

I have several different ones. I don’t know if they do the job. I assume. Only one of them (expensive one) shows air quality and you know when the air is clean. When it’s dirty the sound of air flow and the color on the dashboard changed. The other ones I just assume are working.

I have two similar like the one I send a link for. I like that they all silent. I hate noise

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardlady Beth, sounds like relatively good news from the vet. I didn't know about steroids contributing to diabetes. Thanks for telling us. You will want to gradually switch litters to help him adjust to the change.

Yes, in the feline diabetes group I belong to, unfortunately many of the diabetic cats developed the disease from having been on long-term steroids.

@liz , I know about food transitioning, but have never heard of litter transitioning. In the back of my mind, though, I've wondered about it. Can you explain more - what is the purpose to do a litter transition?

its similar to food transitioning, only the whole idea is to get them used to the sensation of the new litter on their paws

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Beth* I know about food transitioning, but have never heard of litter transitioning. In the back of my mind, though, I've wondered about it. Can you explain more - what is the purpose to do a litter transition?

Sorry, rereading my post I came across kind of abrupt. You gradually add the new litter as you decrease the amount of the old litter. Like Willowtigger mentioned, it is to help them adjust to the feel of the new litter.

How is London doing?