Could my cat have asthma?

[Cynthiaramsey]

She is one and a half years old, when she was about 8 months old she had a coughing fit, I panicked thinking she was choking but then she stopped. She didn’t do it again until she was about 11 months old where it happened twice within a couple of months and DP said it could be a hair ball.

since then she hasn’t done it. It’s been 8 months and she’s been fine. However yesterday morning she did it again. I have called the vets and I’m taking her tonight at 5 but I’m worried that it’s asthma. How will they diagnose it? Will they be able to tell by listening to her lungs? Or would it be happening far more frequently if it was asthma? Could it be allergies? I know I’m best waiting for the vet as no one here can tell me, but just feeling a bit anxious so thought I’d see if anyone else has any experience of it

Hairball is more likely but cats can get asthma.

I had a cat with asthma, it was easily managed.
After diagnosis, a standard adult inhaler device, which I connected to a yogurt pot.

Get an individual plastic dessert pot / yogurt pot (see-through is best) and cut a hole in the bottom to match the aperture on the inhaler.
Cat on my knee, relaxed, and slowly introduce the pot near his face, eventually he will be relaxed to sit with it over his face whilst he breathes.

The cost of the inhaler via veterinary services will be higher than a NHS prescription cost - but if you know someone with asthma, they may offer you their nearly empty/replacement inhalers going forwards.

It does sound like it could be hairballs. Boycat used to give this horrible dry coughing sound almost retching, after a few times of doing this he would throw up, and all would be fine for a few months.

But if you're worried, best to rule out lung conditions with the vet.

Sounds much more like hairballs, especially this time of year.

Uncontrolled and untreated wouldn't just happen once and not again for months.

I had a cat that did this. I showed a video to the vet, who said it wasn't. But she never had a hairball. So I wasn't sure.

I went to the vet and she said it’s not asthma thankfully! She said most likely a hairball or she may have swallowed a bit of grass or something