What's the longest your kitty has had a cough?

[Gesundheit]

Smidget has been coughing for months. I didn't notice at first because I wasn't home. My husband saw it a couple of times, even though he's home less than me. As little as he saw it, he figured she'd tried to eat something stringy (we've had cats do that in the past). We had a relative staying with us who was with us when we got Smidget, he was home all day, saw it multiple times, and never brought it up with us ("I thought it was just a quirk"...idiot). Now, months later, Smidget is still coughing, and she's on her second round of medication for it. Nym also has a mild cough that comes up every other week or so, but it's the same body-wracking cough that plagues Smidget daily.

Anyone have this with your cats? What did you change in their environment? We've already changed their kitty litter. Should we look into a different food?

ETA: Their temperaments do not appear to be affected by this cough. They're still bouncy and playful. I'm not entirely consoled by this, though. Watching their antics, I'm almost convinced that kittens don't feel pain, and the only reason they yowl when you accidentally step on their paw is because they can't move.

 

[ilovemysphynx]

Have you noticed when the cough happens? Is it after leaving the litter box?
Is there any runny eye discharge? or any other symptoms?

Where both cats on the antibiotic at the same time? If not it could be something that they have been just passing back and fourth to one another.

 

[Inflamed]

I've never had to deal with a coughing kitty so no real advice other than asking your vet whether this is normal. I don't think a cough is related to food; but there may be another factor in your home like dust, a draft or damp. You said you changed the litter, is this one dust free? If you are in doubt, I think silicate based litter is the most dust free stuff out there. But then again, maybe it's something bacterial/viral...
Very inconsiderate of your family member to keep you in the dark about this! Sorry you are having trouble getting to the bottom of this, please keep us posted on their progress.

 

[SarahLovee82]

What medication? Bentley has been coughing for about 2 months now. He got 2 rounds of antibiotics but no change so they put him on an antihistimine (SP?) which has helped a lot. It doesn't happen nearly as often as it was happening.

 

[Embracing-Joyx4]

I would agree with the others change kitty litter, as i believe i have a similar problem but its sneezy instead it only bothers 3 of 5 kitties. so I waiting to see if it continues or clears up or if it is something in the environment like candles i burn or deodorizer. Let me know what you come up with. Things do seem to be leveling out i had to consider everything is also blooming.

 

[Gesundheit]

Kitty litter was the first thing we changed (thanks to reading the wonderful threads on this site), the antibiotics didn't change anything (good to know they're not infected), and Smidge's hacking has seemed more frequent since she's been on the new meds, so I'm thinking food again. I'm no doctor, nor am I an optimist, so I know I'm grabbing at straws, but her symptoms match feline acid reflux pretty closely. I'll call the vet tomorrow and see if this could be the problem. She vomited earlier this week (first time since we got her), but I forget to mention it when I took her in on Tuesday because I was miserable with my own miserable coughing and wheezing and trying not to be gross in the waiting room.