Should I be worried?

[nbolin]

I apologize if this is a repeat question, but I couldn't find anything that sounded like the problem i'm having. About a few weeks ago my little guy started this raspy hacking cough. when it started it was only once or trice a day. Almost like he had a hairball..but he doesn't have hair. But now he's doing it a lot more often throuought the day. I do have two other cats that have fur..but he doesn't lick them or anything. should I be worried?

 

[Brooke]

I apologize if this is a repeat question, but I couldn't find anything that sounded like the problem i'm having. About a few weeks ago my little guy started this raspy hacking cough. when it started it was only once or trice a day. Almost like he had a hairball..but he doesn't have hair. But now he's doing it a lot more often throuought the day. I do have two other cats that have fur..but he doesn't lick them or anything. should I be worried?

Hi nbolin, you should definitely have him looked at by your vet. A cough isn't normal and could be a sign of something serious. I don't want to alarm you, but my boy Harold had a hacking cough and suffered from both seasonal allergies and HCM, both of which attributed to his coughing. He had to get an allergy shot when the oak pollen count was high or he would start coughing and his breathing would become really labored.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

 

[PitRottMommy]

I agree with what Brooke has posted.

HCM is a definite concern regardless of age. If your veterinarian cannot find a solution (generally with antibiotics and potentially torb or another cough medication), it may be time to invest in a cardiac screen. A great number of sphynx with HCM won't have heart murmurs, so just listening to their heart may not do the trick.

Good luck, keep us posted. Remember, if it's ever abnormal--have it checked out. You never can be too careful!

 

[admin]

I agree to see your vet would be a good start. I hope the little guy is ok! Im sure he is!:Laugh:
Please keep us posted on the vet visit!

 

[ilovemysphynx]

I would see the vet also, keep us posted on what it is !

 

[nbolin]

I have a vet appointment scheduled for Monday. I really really hope it's not something serious! i've taken super good care of him, and am soo very attached to him. What is HCM btw? And what causes it? and how in the world would I come into contact with a Cardiac Screen? I appreciate the help, at least I can go into the vet with some suggestions. Also what is Torb?

 

[nbolin]

I have a vet appointment scheduled for Monday. I really really hope it's not something serious! i've taken super good care of him, and am soo very attached to him. What is HCM btw? And what causes it? and how in the world would I come into contact with a Cardiac Screen? I appreciate the help, at least I can go into the vet with some suggestions. Also what is Torb?

Ok I sortof looked up what HCM is, and I can't pronounce it, but they said the symptoms of it are loss of appetite, lathargy, and troubled breathing. He still eats like a pig, runs around like a crack head, and he doesn't have trouble breathing...just hack/coughs every once in a while throughought the day. I do know very well that cats are good at hiding when they are sick. Like I said It sounds as if he were hacking up a hairball. I dunno I guess I will find out on Monday Cross your fingers

 

[admin]

Good luck! Fingers crossed!!:Laugh:

 

[PitRottMommy]

Ok I sortof looked up what HCM is, and I can't pronounce it, but they said the symptoms of it are loss of appetite, lathargy, and troubled breathing. He still eats like a pig, runs around like a crack head, and he doesn't have trouble breathing...just hack/coughs every once in a while throughought the day. I do know very well that cats are good at hiding when they are sick. Like I said It sounds as if he were hacking up a hairball. I dunno I guess I will find out on Monday Cross your fingers

Hyper-trophic-cardio-myo-pathy. Not all pets experience the symptoms you listed. Please do a search on HCM through the search tool in the forum. Every sphynx owner needs to know about it. There's no reason not to be well-versed in HCM, because it's an affliction that is VERY prevalent in this breed.

 

[nbolin]

Ok ya'll the visit to the vet today was fairly succesful. I mentioned the HCM, and a possible respiratory infection. thankfully enough he did his hacking cough while we were there. The vet said that he just has allergies, and it's probably seasonal. She gave me some Loratadine and said to give him half a pill each day. So i'll give him his meds, and see if it works...

 

[PitRottMommy]

Glad to hear he thinks it's simple. Remember, if you don't see a change with seasons--he needs to have another exam.

 

[ilovemysphynx]

Glad too hear it all went well, hope she starts to improve

 

[nbolin]

How long should I wait? He's been on meds for a week now, and he's not ANY better. He did his hacking at the vet so the vet did have a chance to hear it..but she still stuck with that it was allergies...I don't know if i'm overly worried, and I can't afford to keep taking him to the vet just cause i'm worried...I really hope it goes away...it breaks my heart to see my poor little boy be sick

 

[Mews2much]

Cleo was sick and the vet did a xray to make sure it was ok.
Maybe you should get a xray.
She had to have antibiotics 2-3 times before it went away.
You should tell the vet you want xrays.
Cleo gave whatever she had to my Oreo and she needed antibiotics a few times before she was better.

 

[Brooke]

How long should I wait? He's been on meds for a week now, and he's not ANY better. He did his hacking at the vet so the vet did have a chance to hear it..but she still stuck with that it was allergies...I don't know if i'm overly worried, and I can't afford to keep taking him to the vet just cause i'm worried...I really hope it goes away...it breaks my heart to see my poor little boy be sick

Nbolin,
I would expect to have some improvement on meds after a week. I know it's frustrating and expensive, but remember a phone call to the vet is absolutely free! I'd call your vet this morning and see what they suggest. If they still think its allergies, maybe there's an alternative medication they can prescribe that won't require another office visit, but definitely keep your vet in the loop.

Good luck!

 

[nbolin]

Ok I have 4 pills left, and for the past two days I have not had ANY hacking whatsoever!! YAAAY!!! I was starting to get worried!! So I think were good to go! Not sure what he would have been allregic to though. Now i'm the one suffering with allergies!!! Thanks Kreacher!! lol

 

[Brooke]

Ok I have 4 pills left, and for the past two days I have not had ANY hacking whatsoever!! YAAAY!!! I was starting to get worried!! So I think were good to go! Not sure what he would have been allregic to though. Now i'm the one suffering with allergies!!! Thanks Kreacher!! lol

He could have seasonal allergies, Harold had them. He was highly allergic to oak pollen. I'd have to check the pollen count every day to know what kind of day Harold was going to have with his breathing...

One day, he wandered outside when the pollen count was really high and was wheezing for 2 days after. If Kreacher has seasonal allergies, don't be surprised if he has the same issue pop up at other times during the year, when the same pollens are in the air.

Glad to hear he's feeling better!