Aspiration from drinking too fast

[Lizzardkitty]

Hello. Clark recently had a trip to the vet and was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. I caught it early and the vet told me that means fluid in the lungs. So immediately I told her how he often dunks his head in the water dish, chokes and then drinks so fast and has a heaving/choking fit where he puts his body really low to the ground for 30 seconds before stopping to lick his lips. So here's my dilemma, he's on antibiotics and is better but today drank too fast and had a fit again. I went out and bought a fountain so we will see if this help. Has anyone had a similar experience? I'm so paranoid that my baby is suffering and I just want him better. Looking for answers.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Sorry to hear you're dealing with this issue. Hope the fountain will work! Sending healing vibes to your boy

 

[EnAyKayIDee]

Poor Clark, sending hugs! Let us know how the fountain goes. How deep do you make the water in the dish?

 

[carakitty]

I hope the fountain helps! Our girls love theirs. Before we bought it we would sometimes leave a sink dripping slowly for them to sip at. Maybe that would be something good for Clark?

Another idea would be to get one of those ''obstacle course" dishes that they usually use for dogs. I think if you filled it just high enough for Clark to lap up some water maybe that would help too?

 

[Yumi]

Hmm our little girl needs her second shot soon.
She's greedy on eating and drinking so this topic makes me wonder..
Although mine is still a baby in growth so it is probably normal she's a piggy.
How old is Clark if I may ask?
Still positive vibes send and toes crossed the fountain works out well!
Or any other suggestion/idea's from fellow Lairians.

 

[Lizzardkitty]

Clark will be a year old in November. He's doing better on meds but still has a heaving fit once and a while. I've read that sometimes cats drink too fast and throw up but Clark doesn't do that, just heaves heavy for 30 seconds. My fear is that there is an underlying issue but our vet wants us to try the fountain for a bit and my bf just says all we can do is watch him. I feel hopeless. He's acting fine but watching him go through his fits makes me feel useless because I can't do anything but wait for it to pass. If anyone on here has had a similar situation, please let me know your thoughts. Thanks for all of your support.

 

[Deleted member 14512]

Hope the fountain works!
BTW, my little Ollie does that too. Is it something I should be worried about? He's been doing it since he was a kitten.

 

[Lizzardkitty]

Update: Clark is off antibiotics and using his fountain AND we raised his food bowl. I also pace him when I do see him drinking water so he isn't gulping as much and it seems to help. So far so good!

 

[Toa and Ross]

Thanks for the update. Glad Clark is doing well

 

[Yoda mom]

@Lizzardkitty , checking in for updates
Sending positve vibes and head smooches

 

[Anita Eccleston]

Hello. Clark recently had a trip to the vet and was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. I caught it early and the vet told me that means fluid in the lungs. So immediately I told her how he often dunks his head in the water dish, chokes and then drinks so fast and has a heaving/choking fit where he puts his body really low to the ground for 30 seconds before stopping to lick his lips. So here's my dilemma, he's on antibiotics and is better but today drank too fast and had a fit again. I went out and bought a fountain so we will see if this help. Has anyone had a similar experience? I'm so paranoid that my baby is suffering and I just want him better. Looking for answers.

Hello there !
Oh the poor baby , I wonder why he does this ?
Just a thought here I have a water fountain for my two it wasn’t expensive £20 from eBay it was , the water comes up the centre onto a plate and that’s how they drink from it .. go on eBay check them out , you’ve nothing to lose and it could stop him gulping water down
Mine is green and white
Xxx

 

[Lizzardkitty]

@Lizzardkitty , checking in for updates
Sending positve vibes and head smooches

Clark is well. He does his cough thing sometimes but I think it's reverse sneezing actually and notice it's now if the water is too cold!!!! I'm wondering if sphynx can't have too cold temp water.

 

[Yoda mom]

Can you share a video of his cough/reverse sneeze?
My Toby had reverse sneezing
To think of it the water I use is not really cold.

 

[Lizzardkitty]

Can you share a video of his cough/reverse sneeze?
My Toby had reverse sneezing
To think of it the water I use is not really cold.

I can never get my camera out fast enough but here is a video of something similar:



He does it if he drinks too fast or the water is too cold. It's usually when I have the heat on too I noticed and I have forced air so I bought an air purifier too but then it makes the house cold so I'm trying many things to rule anything out.

 

[Lizzardkitty]

Hi guys it's been a while. My poor Clark has another URI and congested lungs. He's on another round of antibiotics but it doesn't seem to be helping his fits. I'm waiting for the vet to call me back. I still wonder if it is reverse sneezing? I feel so hopeless

 

[Catzzzmeow]

What antibiotic? Many have success with Doxycycline. Keep us updated and Happy New Year!

 

[Sheldon13]

I wonder if there is a fistula that is allowing fluid to migrate from the esophagus to the trachea? Has the bet ruled this out?

Fluid buildup can also indicate heart issues.


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[Lizzardkitty]

Update on Clark. After x-rays and blood work the vet didn't find anything wrong with heart or lungs and he was negative for both leukemia and feline aids. The infection is gone and he was taking Clavamax (I think I spelled that wrong) but they just gave him a steroid because they think it may be inflammation due to the forced air in our apartment. Other than that he is acting totally normal so we will see if this works.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Great update!

 

[Yoda mom]

@Lizzardkitty soooo happy for the great update!
Head smooches to Clark! Hope you can share some pics and tales !

 

[Lizzardkitty]

Oh my goodness. I have tons of pictures of the trouble maker! The steroids seem to be helping. I've been running my purifier non stop. It makes the house a little colder but I just turn the heat up a bit to compensate. The humidifier they stick their little faces in and play with the steam. This may be a step in the right direction. All I know is I'm committed to my boys and no matter what it takes, I'll be with these two.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Look at those cuties! Happy to hear Clark is doing better. You are a wonderful mom!

 

[Lizzardkitty]

Look at those cuties! Happy to hear Clark is doing better. You are a wonderful mom!

Thank you so much! They are my world. I never thought I could fall in love so much in my life.

 

[MelissaAlice]

OMGoodness .. matching sweaters!!!!!

 

[Gary]

I know this is an old post and not sure you'll see this...but wondering if you ever found a solution to Clark's choking after drinking? My cat does the exact same thing and has for years. Had him go to the vet recently and they took x-rays but they said they didn't really see anything wrong. He doesn't seem to be bothered by it too much but he almost always chokes after drinking a lot of water.