Min May Have Asthma (intermittent persistent cough) -- suggestions?

[Xandria]

Hello, everyone. It's Friday!

Shortly after Min's arrival she exhibited coughing symptoms. I chalked it up to new environment, kitten, and the usual some degree of a slight URI that often comes with bringing a kitten into the home. I give her 500 mg of lysine, twice per day.

Almost a month later and the cough persists. It happens anywhere from 0 - 4 times per day. It could be my imagination, but it seems to occur more after prolonged play or eating too fast. It's the type of cough that appears like a cat getting ready to eject a hairball.

There is no discharge, eyes are clear, all other signs are normal. This is why I think she might have asthma.

After some research I would be lead to believe that feline asthma occurs more in females than males, occurs later in life, and is caused by something environmental. As some of you know, I am retentive about maintaining a healthy Sphynx environment. The litter is exceptionally low dust, I no longer burn incense, all bedding etc. is washed in baby safe detergent, I use stainless steel feeding dishes, I have cleaners that come every two weeks to clean house and in between spot clean.

Max is showing no similar symptoms whatsoever.

Min is cuddly beyond belief. She's lively, cleans herself well, sleeps well, poops and pees well, eats well and so on. Other than her penchant for chewing on blankets and tissue (which is diminishing, thankfully), I would say she's in A1 shape... with the exception of the cough.

We have a vet appointment scheduled for Monday for her shots, so I'll be bringing this up to begin the process of diagnosis. I would have taken her to the vet sooner if her symptoms were worse, but there's no sign of distress nor is it frequent enough that I think it's life threatening.

My Questions: What tests or inquiry should I ask of the vet to diagnose and then pursue treatment? Any treatment suggestions?

Thanks, all.

PS: Just because...

Mornings with Min. Notice my reddened chest -- she's a suckler!!!

Min's haunches, and boy is she getting BIG!

What a cutie! I love her so much.

Gimme Five!

​

 

[Nicolemorgan]

Such beautiful photos, Min looks like she is growing up so quickly already!! Such a stunning girl!

We haven't experienced any cats with asthma, so I don't really have much for input there.
But it sounds like you are doing everything right, a lot like us with having the house clean and everything safe for kitties including cleaners and detergents etc. Talking to the vet is a great idea, and hopefully others will have advice on questions to ask for asthma.

Be sure to update us, we will be thinking of sweet Min during her vet visit. *hugs*

 

[Lickleone]

I would take her to the vet for a professional diagnoses from someone qualified I would not self medicate her specially if you're right and she is asthmatic although I find trying to self diagnose via internet only leads us to worse case instead of the truth. Google is no substitute for a vets diagnosis but that's my opinion. As an asthmatic I hope she's not.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Since she does it a few times a day, take a video of her doing it so vet can see it and hear what the cough sounds like.


Patti

 

[GoldHazel]

@Xandria thanks for sharing those adorable pics. Always enjoy seeing them.

I have no experience with a pet with asthma, but I do have experience with cats with a back drip! Even purring can trigger the coughing here.

Let the vet pull out her tongue using a paper towel and look into the back of her throat with his/her flashlight. If she does have a back drip, the right antibiotic and doubling up on the L-Lysine should do the trick.

I honestly would not allow her to get vaccines until this cough is all gone. So pick your vet's brain with that one please.

Keeping fingers and paws crossed that it's nothing that can't be fixed in the next week or two and I'm looking forward to hearing good news soon.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Oh little Min. So you're already smoking the cat nip of Max and Toa. Stop doing that! As you notice it's not good for you and you get a bad cough from it!

Okay now serious, maybe you can make a video of Min coughinh to show to the vet. Toa did cough a few times a day (like there was a hairball to spit out) since he was young till two months ago. I never found out what was the reason. The vet said it isn't ashma but didn't know what it was. He didn't seem to bothered by it. And it all of the sudden stopped two months ago.

Good thing you let Min check by the vet. Hope they find out what is causing the cough.

And gorgeous pics!

 

[Xandria]

Thank you everyone for your great advice. I have booked an appointment for tomorrow morning (Saturday). The vet said they will definitely not be doing vaccinations until this is cleared. I'm feeling a little bad now that perhaps I should've gone sooner, but given its infrequency, I thought it was just a transition cough.

@Toa and Ross -- Clearly Min has been sneaking out to join Toa for some naughty catnip smoking! I told her she had to wait until she was 6 months old, but she's so rebellious! I'm glad Toa's "'nip smoker's cough" has cleared!

 

[Toa and Ross]

Thank you everyone for your great advice. I have booked an appointment for tomorrow morning (Saturday). The vet said they will definitely not be doing vaccinations until this is cleared. I'm feeling a little bad now that perhaps I should've gone sooner, but given its infrequency, I thought it was just a transition cough.

@Toa and Ross -- Clearly Min has been sneaking out to join Toa for some naughty catnip smoking! I told her she had to wait until she was 6 months old, but she's so rebellious! I'm glad Toa's "'nip smoker's cough" has cleared!

The "lol smiley" is of course only about the second part not the first part.

Don't feel bad. Min is doing well so can imagine the cough wasn't someting you worrie about a lot. Is it possible maybe the bones irritate her throat and that's making her cough? That's the guess the vet of Toa made about his coughing. Apparently they see it often with cats who eat raw food. So the vets here think it has something to do with it.

 

[Xandria]

The "lol smiley" is of course only about the second part not the first part.

Don't feel bad. Min is doing well so can imagine the cough wasn't someting you worrie about a lot. Is it possible maybe the bones irritate her throat and that's making her cough? That's the guess the vet of Toa made about his coughing. Apparently they see it often with cats who eat raw food. So the vets here think it has something to do with it.

I figured! Maybe Toa is already wooing Min despite her age. She is getting big, after all! giggles.

The raw I feed is mince without bones. I'll try capturing it on my phone or tablet this weekend. It's so hard because it's unpredictable. She can be wound up and play until she's panting without coughing. But the vet's office was very supportive. So I'll hopefully learn more tomorrow.

 

[GoldHazel]

Thank you everyone for your great advice. I have booked an appointment for tomorrow morning (Saturday). The vet said they will definitely not be doing vaccinations until this is cleared. I'm feeling a little bad now that perhaps I should've gone sooner, but given its infrequency, I thought it was just a transition cough.

@Toa and Ross -- Clearly Min has been sneaking out to join Toa for some naughty catnip smoking! I told her she had to wait until she was 6 months old, but she's so rebellious! I'm glad Toa's "'nip smoker's cough" has cleared!

@Xandria please don't feel bad, you are bringing Min in to see the vet tomorrow. It's not like she's been really sick and you waited. And I'm very happy to hear that your vet won't give vaccines until everything is cleared up. That's the way to do it.

She'll be fine, I'm confident of that. Let us know tomorrow about the vet visit and how everyone there will give Min so much attention. LOL

 

[Toa and Ross]

I figured! Maybe Toa is already wooing Min despite her age. She is getting big, after all! giggles.

The raw I feed is mince without bones. I'll try capturing it on my phone or tablet this weekend. It's so hard because it's unpredictable. She can be wound up and play until she's panting without coughing. But the vet's office was very supportive. So I'll hopefully learn more tomorrow.

I'll hope so too. Please keep us updated.

 

[Hairless Blessing]

I just want to say I'll send up a prayer for Min. Will be looking for a update.
You a good Mum. You have no reason to feel bad.

 

[Xandria]

REPORT FROM VET VISIT

My poor vet was stuck in Vancouver traffic and was late to work, and of course there were a couple emergencies. Thusly, Min and I had to wait in the waiting room for a little while but she was great! As long as I allowed her half out of the top of the carrier so she could nuzzle me, she was good. Finally we were seen.

One of the things I love about my vet is that he asks a tonne of questions, listens, and then gives a list of all the things the symptoms could mean. From there we work together (he's great at involving the parent) on each one deciding its probability. He asked if he could do an x-ray and then send it away for a diagnosis (response time in about 20 minutes, which is cool). If the x-ray was negative for anything, then a course of antibiotics before delving deeper.

I agreed to the x-ray. I'll post a pic when I get it. Min and I waited in the nice exam room and even fell asleep together on the chair (she curled around my neck and I draped a blanket over her). By the way, the vet said that she was easier to examine than Max, who is so hyper all the time. LOL.

I'm attaching a PDF of the report below, but the salient points are:

"Conclusions:
Mild pulmonary bronchial pattern. This is most consistent with lower airway disease (inflammatory versus infectious). lf there is clinical concern for this differential, treatment for airway disease and monitoring for treatmenl response may be considered. Repeat radiographs would likely be of benefit, if clinical signs persist, to evaluate for progressive changes compared to the current study."

I'm guessing her trip down on the flight might have caused this or some other irritant. At least it's not infectious and the symptoms will likely clear with medication and that will be the end of that.

The vet gave us Clavamox, twice daily, for 10 days. I know Clavamox may not work, but we'll see. Of course the 4 month vaccinations have been postponed until this clears.

Thanks, everyone, for your support!!!

PS: She weighed in at 5 lbs. 2 oz. At 4 months of age Max was 4 lbs. 8 oz. ha ha ha ha ha. Good thing Max is bulking up!

Min, after breakfast this morning...

 

[GoldHazel]

REPORT FROM VET VISIT

My poor vet was stuck in Vancouver traffic and was late to work, and of course there were a couple emergencies. Thusly, Min and I had to wait in the waiting room for a little while but she was great! As long as I allowed her half out of the top of the carrier so she could nuzzle me, she was good. Finally we were seen.

One of the things I love about my vet is that he asks a tonne of questions, listens, and then gives a list of all the things the symptoms could mean. From there we work together (he's great at involving the parent) on each one deciding its probability. He asked if he could do an x-ray and then send it away for a diagnosis (response time in about 20 minutes, which is cool). If the x-ray was negative for anything, then a course of antibiotics before delving deeper.

I agreed to the x-ray. I'll post a pic when I get it. Min and I waited in the nice exam room and even fell asleep together on the chair (she curled around my neck and I draped a blanket over her). By the way, the vet said that she was easier to examine than Max, who is so hyper all the time. LOL.

I'm attaching a PDF of the report below, but the salient points are:

"Conclusions:
Mild pulmonary bronchial pattern. This is most consistent with lower airway disease (inflammatory versus infectious). lf there is clinical concern for this differential, treatment for airway disease and monitoring for treatmenl response may be considered. Repeat radiographs would likely be of benefit, if clinical signs persist, to evaluate for progressive changes compared to the current study."

I'm guessing her trip down on the flight might have caused this or some other irritant. At least it's not infectious and the symptoms will likely clear with medication and that will be the end of that.

The vet gave us Clavamox, twice daily, for 10 days. I know Clavamox may not work, but we'll see. Of course the 4 month vaccinations have been postponed until this clears.

Thanks, everyone, for your support!!!

PS: She weighed in at 5 lbs. 2 oz. At 4 months of age Max was 4 lbs. 8 oz. ha ha ha ha ha. Good thing Max is bulking up!

Min, after breakfast this morning...
View attachment 66753

@Xandria your vet sounds so much like my vet...which is a very good thing.

I hope that Min is all better in no time. That photo of her after breakfast was just darling. I wanted to reach in and kiss her belly. LOL Max might have to literally look up to his sister when she's fully grown. LOL

 

[Xandria]

@Xandria your vet sounds so much like my vet...which is a very good thing.

I hope that Min is all better in no time. That photo of her after breakfast was just darling. I wanted to reach in and kiss her belly. LOL Max might have to literally look up to his sister when she's fully grown. LOL

I'm glad. The vet and I don't agree on all things, but I give him the benefit of the doubt and vice versa at different times. heh. And he doesn't force things either.

OMG, Min lets me give her belly raspberries. She allows me to do anything to her, it's so funny. You could totally nuzzle that belly and she'd let you.

 

[GoldHazel]

I'm glad. The vet and I don't agree on all things, but I give him the benefit of the doubt and vice versa at different times. heh. And he doesn't force things either.

OMG, Min lets me give her belly raspberries. She allows me to do anything to her, it's so funny. You could totally nuzzle that belly and she'd let you.

All of mine let me touch and kiss their bellies. It's great! Not any furry cat I ever had. Maybe for a split second I'd be able to touch a furry's belly, then I'd get zapped by teeth and nails. LOL

Yea, my vet never would force a decision on me. I'll either call him or bring them in to see him and I'll always tell him what I think is going on (even with my dogs). My vet is always impressed whenever I say things. Then he may ask me a few questions (especially if the "visit" is over the telephone). Then he'll make a game plan and then in a certain way almost ask me. So the final decision has always been mine or a mutual one.

Even before this vet started working at this practice, I used another vet there (the owner that is now retired). I used the retired one for close to 30 years. He too would always listen to me and never ignore anything I said. When I went to see him before he left, I was crying so hard that he had to hold me in his arms. He is so very missed by me and so many others. I don't know if you know who Howard Stern is, but he used to drive from Long Island, NY, where he lived all the way to my neck of the woods (very far away) to bring his dog to our retired vet. When doc retired, Howard Stern was so sad as well and he announced it on the radio.

 

[Nicolemorgan]

Glad to hear that the vet visit went well. Hopefully the antibiotics clear everything up!
Will you have to do another xray to compare? Or just see if her symptoms go away?
Sending lots of hugs and healing thoughts your way!

So cute that she lets you give her raspberries on her belly! Her and Max sound like such the wonderful duo! Makes me smile!

 

[NinaGato]

Well, I am glad he wanted to do a course of treatment and give it time to resolve with antibiotics. Sending well wishes.
I can't believe that belly. She looks so much like Max. You can really tell they are from same cattery.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Glad to hear you and the vet did find out what is causing the coughing and that it can be solved with meds!

And I see a knew "contest" coming...cause with Min being bigger then Max when he was the same age we all want to guess how much Min will weigh when she's 1 year old.

 

[Xandria]

For anyone curious, here are Min's x-rays!

She did well yesterday (no cough), but today had a coughing moment in the morning after waking.

 

[Nicolemorgan]

Wow, that is so neat seeing the xrays!

 

[SphynxKid]

I think that would make a fantastic canvas for your wall!

Hope min feels better soon!

Jen

 

[Xandria]

I think that would make a fantastic canvas for your wall!

Hope min feels better soon!

Jen

If I were back in Uni, you bet. My entire dorm room and subsequent housing was like that of a mad scientist! LOL

 

[Toa and Ross]

Very cool those xray photos

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Praying Min gets well quickly. Neat x-rays.