I am constantly so worried about my cat and his health!

[Sammicarkeys]

I brought home my sweet boy a month ago. He is now 4 months old and weighs about 5 lbs. He didn't act out of the ordinary..but his poop smelled god awful. Well, it turns out that he had Giardiasis and Coccidiosis. Treated both and after his last dose he started having diarrhea with blood. Weird. I waited a few days for it to clear up. He wasn't acting different then either. Eating 10oz of wet cat food a day, drinking plenty, and playing normal. It never cleared up. So he was started on another 10 day dose of Flagyl. LOW AND BEHOLD. NORMAL SOLID POOPS. No blood. But now, something I've noticed is that when he is sleeping, he breathes really fast. Almost all the time. He breathes about 45-60 respiration's a minute. No other form of distress. While he is awake, he occasionally has some "coughing spells", like he's trying to get a hairball out or something. Aside from that, he is completely normal. He is running around and bouncing off my sofa for hours a day. He doesn't get winded on anything. He's very active. His litter is virtually dust free and I never spray household chemicals anywhere near him. I'm just worried. He is the love of my life. Just curious if any sphynx moms had issues like this? Maybe asthma? I'm seeing the Vet tomorrow, but she has seen like 2 sphynx her entire career and both were adults, so, my expectations aren't very high at the moment. Currently looking for a new one. Any advice on any of this guys?

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Kittens breathing rates are higher than adult cats. If you happen to see a coughing fit before you get to the vet, try to video tape it. Is there anything they are doing when the coughing starts? Some find dustier litters are a cause for coughing.

 

[Sammicarkeys]

Kittens breathing rates are higher than adult cats. If you happen to see a coughing fit before you get to the vet, try to video tape it. Is there anything they are doing when the coughing starts? Some find dustier litters are a cause for coughing.

Thanks for your reply! That's a little more reassuring. and The weird thing is that sometimes he's playing with something that potentially has dust on it, and sometimes, he'll just be sitting on my lap. It doesn't last very long, at most 20 seconds. He doesn't appear to be in distress before it happens. Gingiva are pink and moist.

 

[Mal]

You can Youtube videos of "cat asthma attack" and see if your kitty looks similar.
But best to get a vets opinion.

Our boy Pete was diagnosed with asthma last November, its tough to see/hear his asthma attacks but once he gets his puffer he is fine.

But your boy is still quite young and his organs are still developing so I bet it isnt asthma, perhaps maybe a cold? See what the vet says and keep us updated!

 

[Hairless Blessing]

@Sammicarkeys
Let us know what you find out.

 

[Sammicarkeys]

@Hairless Blessing @Mal @Catzzzmeow

He saw the vet on Saturday to get his shots and he did very well aside from trying to bite the vet after the second one. :facepalm:
I mentioned the fast breathing and occasionally coughs and she told me that it doesn't sound like asthma or a cold but to keep an eye on him and call if anything changes or worsens. Since the visit, he hasn't really coughed at all. I also unplugged one of my outlet fresheners because I thought maybe having two of them was too strong for him. That might have been it. Thanks for the support guys!

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Good news... That's the kind I like...

 

[Mal]

Yay that is awesome news!

 

[Toa and Ross]

That's good news!

 

[Yoda mom]

Thank you for the great news update!
Keep us updated often!
Head smooches sent

Definitely good advice to video tape signs/symptoms
I did this with my Toby - my vet loves videos since they see, to never do it when they go to the vet lol
She took one look at the video and saod it was reverse sneezing - seasonal allergies amd prescribed over the counter Chlor tabs dosage for his age/ weight- after a few days no more coughing symptoms

Keep us updated - how is his poo issues ? Hopeful all cleared up
As a side note , if you do happen to give kitty treats ? Or feed very high protein food ,they can cause poo issues

 

[Sammicarkeys]

Thank you for the great news update!
Keep us updated often!
Head smooches sent

Definitely good advice to video tape signs/symptoms
I did this with my Toby - my vet loves videos since they see, to never do it when they go to the vet lol
She took one look at the video and saod it was reverse sneezing - seasonal allergies amd prescribed over the counter Chlor tabs dosage for his age/ weight- after a few days no more coughing symptoms

Keep us updated - how is his poo issues ? Hopeful all cleared up
As a side note , if you do happen to give kitty treats ? Or feed very high protein food ,they can cause poo issues

Good idea! And as for the poop, no
He eats Merricks Purrfect Bistro "limited ingredient" canned pate. He doesn't eat treats, refuses them hahah he's a weird little guy. I have three different bags of expensive cat treats just sitting around because he doesn't like them.

 

[Yoda mom]

Mine hate treats too..
I actually give them kibble as a treat
For some reason they love science diet urinary hairball dry kibble
Weird they come running for it

I also read hairball formulas were successful for some kitties with poo issues

 

[Sammicarkeys]

Mine hate treats too..
I actually give them kibble as a treat
For some reason they love science diet urinary hairball dry kibble
Weird they come running for it

I also read hairball formulas were successful for some kitties with poo issues

Thank you! I'm desperate to try things to help my little guy. I went out and bought some of the Fortiflora last night and used it in his food last night and this morning. I'm hoping for some solid poops. If this doesn't work then I'll definitely try some other diets. I'll keep you updated.