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Coughing/Wheezing

binkysmom

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Hi! I’m very new to this forum, but I’ve been to so many vets and no one can really help me with a cause/remedy for my boy’s coughing. He has HCM, and has been having reverse sneezing fits since I got him when he was a young kitten a year ago.
They used to be every other week, then progressed to weekly, now it’s multiple times a day. It’s reverse sneezing sometimes, but also just coughing or trying to catch his breath. Three vets said it’s probably not HCM related, but haven’t given me a reason why this is happening or how to treat it. I’m at my wits end, please help!
 

Catzzzmeow

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I can understand your concern especially since it is becoming more frequent. Is your baby on meds for HCM? Have you noticed it happens after drinking, eating or playing etc…meaning is there any pattern? @binkysmom
 

binkysmom

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I can understand your concern especially since it is becoming more frequent. Is your baby on meds for HCM? Have you noticed it happens after drinking, eating or playing etc…meaning is there any pattern? @binkysmom
He is, he’s on benazepril. I haven’t really noticed a pattern, it just seems to be happening sporadically. His vet did say that he doesn’t think it’s HCM related, but couldn’t tell me what he thinks it could be. It’s almost like he’s trying to dislodge something from his airway, because he’ll smack his lips when he’s done coughing.
 

Yoda mom

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@binkysmom welcoming you and your babies to the lair family.

my Toby has reverse sneezing and first time i took to vet I showed the video and vet said seasonal allergies reverse sneezing was not heart related for Toby. she prescribed over the counter chlortab dosage instructions based on weight. Toby's definitely a seasonal thing.

I started to watch for patterns and think of anything new.. fabric softeners, floor cleaners(swiffers a no no) . I gently open mouth and look inside for any obstructions. any chance he ate cat toy parts, strings etc?

you mentioned he has HCM. on meds? how old is he now? you mention he is a youngster.
was that from a HCM scan ? or detected heart murmur during office visit?

did vet suggest an xray to check for any obstructions?

we are here for you. btw. what are your adorable babies names? all paws are family.
 
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binkysmom

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@binkysmom welcoming you and your babies to the lair family.

my Toby has reverse sneezing and first time i took to vet I showed the video and vet said seasonal allergies reverse sneezing was not heart related for Toby. she prescribed over the counter chlortab dosage instructions based on weight. Toby's definitely a seasonal thing.

I started to watch for patterns and think of anything new.. fabric softeners, floor cleaners(swiffers a no no) . I gently open mouth and look inside for any obstructions. any chance he ate cat toy parts, strings etc?

you mentioned he has HCM. on meds? how old is he now? you mention he is a youngster.
was that from a HCM scan ? or detected heart murmur during office visit?

did vet suggest an xray to check for any obstructions?

we are here for you. btw. what are your adorable babies names? all paws are family.
Thank you for the kind words! My two are Binky and Benny. Binky is just over a year old and got diagnosed a few months ago. Benny is 6 months old and has a severely deformed and enlarged heart, so every day is sort of a gift, but I’d like to make their time here as comfortable as possible!
Binky is on benazepril, we did an ultrasound on his heart. No heart murmur, though!
I can never find anything in his throat, but I didn’t consider allergies! I just moved a month ago and changed laundry detergents too. Maybe I’ll try a gentler detergent and see if it helps him out!
 

Yoda mom

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@binkysmom , awh... hugs n positive vibes and head smooches ... look forward to pics of your adorables Binky and Benny.
will be interesting if change of laundry detergents is the culprit. we had a member awhile ago share her baby was allergic to Gain detergent. many can be sensitive to detergents, fabric softeners, scented litters, etc. burn candles? incense? use essential oils? (sharing, many can be toxic to kitties ) and also learned years ago to stay away from swissper products.

all paws crossed for good news updates.
 

binkysmom

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@binkysmom , awh... hugs n positive vibes and head smooches ... look forward to pics of your adorables Binky and Benny.
will be interesting if change of laundry detergents is the culprit. we had a member awhile ago share her baby was allergic to Gain detergent. many can be sensitive to detergents, fabric softeners, scented litters, etc. burn candles? incense? use essential oils? (sharing, many can be toxic to kitties ) and also learned years ago to stay away from swissper products.

all paws crossed for good news updates.
Now that I’m thinking about cleaning products I’m using, I started using a swiffer wet jet not too long ago. I’ll stop using that because it’s heavily fragranced. I ordered an air purifier, some hypoallergenic laundry detergent, some allergy meds for him and I’m ordering a better air filter for my vents (I’m in an apartment and the one they have in there is very low tier). I’ll keep you guys updated on if Binky’s coughing improves! I’m crossing my fingers it does!!
 

Yoda mom

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@binkysmom awh, you are the bestest mum.. all paws crossed for good news updates. I have an air purifier too for years . a honeywell 300.

what allergy meds? my vet told me to go get chlortabs. there is a pet version same mg.(1800 petmeds) and a people version I got at walmart for $3 my vet told me to get. *** Vet gave me specific instructions/ dosage*** DO NOT give without vet instrustions/approval. **** and do not mix meds at same time.

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it helped Toby with his reverse sneezing seasonal. ( I have also used with my bengal per vets instructions.) I rushed Toby to vet thinking it was heart related, vet ruled out. He is nearly 10 and doing good. has not happened again.
just needed the chlortab dosage per vet a few times. I got a jorgesen pill popper from my vet for free an ordered an extra one on amazon.
all paws crossed for Binky! hugs n head smooches.
 

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binkysmom

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@binkysmom awh, you are the bestest mum.. all paws crossed for good news updates. I have an air purifier too for years . a honeywell 300.

what allergy meds? my vet told me to go get chlortabs. there is a pet version same mg.(1800 petmeds) and a people version I got at walmart for $3 my vet told me to get. *** Vet gave me specific instructions/ dosage*** DO NOT give without vet instrustions/approval. **** and do not mix meds at same time.

View attachment 108724


it helped Toby with his reverse sneezing seasonal. ( I have also used with my bengal per vets instructions.) I rushed Toby to vet thinking it was heart related, vet ruled out. He is nearly 10 and doing good. has not happened again.
just needed the chlortab dosage per vet a few times. I got a jorgesen pill popper from my vet for free an ordered an extra one on amazon.
all paws crossed for Binky! hugs n head smooches.
Thank you, I appreciate that! These two are my first sphynx babies, from the same breeder, with a plethora of health issues I’m trying my best to work through. I’m learning new things every day but I’m trying my best to make them as comfortable as possible!
And yes, that’s what my vet told me I could use for the time being. Long story, but I had taken Benny to a cardiologist two weeks ago and that doctor and my regular vet have been corresponding to figure out what asthma type medications both of them can be on since they both have heart issues. I still haven’t gotten an answer and have called a few times a week, so I will most likely be switching vets permanently. I took him to the vet I usually take my dog to over the weekend (the other one that won’t return my calls is a feline specialist and I was really hoping for good things from them) and they had said chlortabs should be fine to try out and see if it improves his episodes. Fingers crossed!
 

nudebea

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I am sorry to hear that your two spying babies have health problems , they certainly are lucky to have found you to care for them. Hope the new vet manages to help with the coughing , sending hugs and positive vibes for you and little Binky and Benny xxx
 

binkysmom

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Small update, it’s only been two days but just throwing out my candles and wall flowers and switching to a hypo detergent seems to have helped. Binky hasn’t had coughing episodes in two days, which is a huge improvement from multiple times a day! I still haven’t gotten my air purifier in, but I’m hoping it’ll help with the air quality as well.
 

binkysmom

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Well, end of month update. After all those changes, I hardly hear any wheezing coughs from either of them. However, Binky has had a bad flare up of reverse sneezing episodes this week.
I’m feeling very frustrated because earlier in the month, we saw a cardiologist for my other boy (Benny’s) heart deformities. I was talking to her about the reverse sneezing and coughing, she she said that reverse sneezing usually means asthma and is unrelated to heart problems. My vet had given me theophylline to give the boys, but I hadn’t started them on it because I wanted to cardiologists opinion. She said no theophylline, and though steroids aren’t great for them either, an inhaler should be safe enough for them.
I called my vet and asked to switch him to an inhaler. He asked why what the cardiologist said about the theophylline he prescribed and why I was told not to give it to them. I told him I didn’t know why, but she said an inhaler would be better.
He wanted to call the cardiologist himself, and a week later he told me to give it to Binky, just not Benny. From my understanding, the medication isn’t good for cats with heart disease, and Binky has HCM. I’m a little frustrated that Im not being given an inhaler when it’s what the cardiologist recommended and I’m not being told why.
But anyway, Binky has an appointment at another vet next month for his echocardiogram check up. Im going to give them his cardiology report and see if he can get on an inhaler with them. I just want him to get some relief, because even though the hacking has gone away, I know reverse sneezing up to 5 times a day isn’t comfortable for him!
 

Yoda mom

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@binkysmom , Awh,, hugs n positive vibe head smooches. My Toby had reverse sneezing years ago. for him, my vet said it was seasonal allergies and prescribe OTC chlortabs for 3 bucks from walmart (its the same mg and ingredient as chlortabs sold for pets) and gave me the dosage for his weight. Macie has reverse sneezing sometimes too and the chlortab has worked for babies. only took a couple of days and saw dramatic difference. rarely need to use anymore. *you can ask your vet about chlortabs.. never give unless told by your vet for the dosage. ***

all paws crossed for the upcoming echo.. keep us updated often. hugs n head smooches



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kauna

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My girl had asthma and she was on inhalers. They are easy to train to use. I would recommend getting an Aerokat that helps with giving inhalers. Once you have it try to get them used to having held on their face over nose and mouth. I recommend using very yummy treats after using. I would try this prior to giving the inhaler. Some cats tolerate it very well some try to fight it, but once they get the relief from the inhaler they understand that it isn't so bad.
edit to tag @binkysmom
shopping
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binkysmom

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Hi all! I’m super late, but wanted to give an update. Biggest news, Binky’s echo went really well and some of his numbers have improved!
He’s on chlortabs now, and it’s been a bit over a month with barely any breathing episodes. He seems to have a flare up when we get rain and mold skyrockets. No inhaler, but it keeps to be allergy based like Yoda’s mom had mentioned! It’s such a relief to not be woken up multiple times a night because your cat is on a reverse sneeze fit he can’t snap out of.
 

Yoda mom

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@binkysmom , biggest hugs n happy head smooches Binky's echo went great and some of the numbers improved!!! so glad the breathing is better. my vet gave dosage of chlor tabs by weight for Toby and Macie Mae as needed only . game changer.

keep the good news updates coming ...look forward to pics and tales!
 
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