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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Sick cat - please please help!

39 replies

Godofwar · 22/06/2023 14:14

I am an anxious cat owner (and Mother but that’s another story!) My cat means the world to us all.

She was hacking and coughing away Tuesday night and sure enough was sick half an hour later as she is from time to time. Ever since then she has been periodically retching, mostly dryly although was sick again last night. She also is making such a strange noise, I can only describe it as a hiccup/sneeze/cough. She does this periodically and sometimes dry gags afterwards.

I had her at the vet this morning. I was worried there was something in her throat. Vet says no. Says her tummy isn’t in pain but she is slightly tender around her throat. Suggested she may have grazed her throat with the retching on Tuesday and gave her an anti inflammatory and anti nausea jab. I’ve to phone tomorrow to update her.

She was fine for a bit when we got home but has started making the noise again from time to time and the odd dry heave.

She is acting perfectly normally, eating perfectly normally and doing the toilet perfectly normally. It’s just this noise. Please please help. I just want her to be ok and I’m here on my own constantly listening for the noise!!!

OP posts:
Godofwar · 23/06/2023 22:32

Thank you FormerlyPathologicallyHappy - that’s very kind and supportive of you to say

Thanks ItJustFellOutLikeWordVomit She hasn’t ‘coughed’ since she came home. She’s trying to purr when I’m talking to her but her wee throat sounds sore from being tubed bless her

OP posts:
LostCats · 24/06/2023 09:52

How is she doing this am? And how are you?

Godofwar · 24/06/2023 12:42

We have been back at the vet this morning for her steroid injection. The vet today was much more reassuring and explained everything so much better. She is not worried about her at all. She even said that her colleague is great but tends to explain every minute detail.

She was fine getting her injection and hasn’t coughed so far 🤞she cleared her whole bowl when we got home so I’m watchfully waiting and trying to keep positive. Thanks so much for caring 💖

OP posts:
LostCats · 24/06/2023 12:54

Ah I’m so glad. That all sounds so positive. Do try not to worry now. I’m sure she’ll be absolutely fine

Godofwar · 26/06/2023 18:59

Hey sorry to start this all up again but could really use advice.

My cat was fine yesterday and this morning. Noticed a really drop off in coughing but this afternoon I could hear a faint wheezing noise and then she started coughing again. One of them was so large I thought she was fitting!

She is perfectly happy and acting normally but I just honestly don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t want to keep dragging her to the vet, it really stresses her out but I also am scared she is ill. Can anyone please advise?

OP posts:
FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 26/06/2023 21:05

I don’t think you’ve got an option, if it’s still there she’ll need to go back.

Words · 27/06/2023 06:02

Hello again @godofwar - sorry puss is still wheezing.

Mine also gets incredibly stressed on the journey to the vet. She has prednisone tablets to be taken as needed. I usually find a seven day course clears the symptoms, and am now an expert at getting her to take them. Not sure if that is an option for you. It might be worth checking.

Try not to worry too much . It's hard, I know. Keep us posted.

LostCats · 27/06/2023 08:10

Formerly is right. Unfortunately she will need to go back to the vet.

Icequeen01 · 27/06/2023 08:12

Hallmark1234 · 22/06/2023 14:23

Could she have a blade of grass stuck in her windpipe or nasal passages? I know of someone who's cat this happened to. Lots of expensive vets visits that didn't resolve it, until it came out of its own accord!

I was going to say the same. I've had this a few times with my own cats. Two needed a vet visit and sedating to get the blade out and another one sneezed it out himself.

Mumtothreegirlies · 27/06/2023 08:15

Bless you I think you’ve already been give some excellent advice on here of what it might be.
can I suggest a second opinion from another vet perhaps as I’ve found some are more thorough then others.
the fact your cats eating and pooping fine is a really good sign that they’re not in any grave danger.

Icequeen01 · 27/06/2023 08:17

My apologies - my first "read the f*cling thread" 🤦🏻‍♀️ I do hope your cat is ok. If it's any consolation I worry about my cats all the time so I know how you feel.

SallyWD · 27/06/2023 08:19

Has the vet actually said what's wrong with her? I think it wasn't a blade of grass. Do they think it's asthma? If so, have they given her any treatment?

Godofwar · 27/06/2023 08:29

They have ruled out asthma. Vet thought it might be a reaction to ‘something’ either an allergen or a substance she’s ingested.

This may sound slightly bonkers but obviously I’ve completed the internet trying to work out what she’s actually doing. Coughing, sneezing, retching and it’s looks EXACTLY like a reverse sneeze. I have a video of her doing it and it’s just like the reverse sneeze videos on YouTube. Does anyone know what this could be triggered by and if there is treatment? The vet is being contacted again this morning when they open.

Once again I really appreciated the replies ✨

OP posts:
Mia184 · 27/06/2023 21:39

Could the coughing be caused by a hairball that your cat is trying to get out?

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