Why is my cat coughing? Is it a hairball, asthma, or other health issue?

I'm sorry Sacha isn't feeling well. There are several possibilities for respiratory disease in cats. Cats can develop asthma, get heartworms or have allergic bronchitis. Any of these conditions require a trip to the vet for diagnosis. Especially if you feel she is having trouble breathing please take her soon before this turns into an emergency. Your vet may recommend X-rays or bloodwork after doing an exam on Sacha

Hello and thank you for reaching out about your cat. The most common causes for coughing in a cat of his age are: heart disease and bronchitis/asthma. Other, but less likely causes: infection or parasite. When a cat is coughing it is very important to get him to the vet so a doctor can listen to his heart and lungs and take an xray. This will help to determine which medication(s) would be best to treat his cough. Thank you.

It definitely can be hairballs, it can be from whatever she is eating (plant wise or anything she isn't supposed to) but it could also be asthma. To diagnose asthma Pebbles would need X-rays. If Pebbles has asthma there is an injectable steroid. I would discuss this with your veterinarian. Heartworm disease in cats is extremely difficult to diagnose. I hope she feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I am sorry to hear about Orchid! Coughing in cats is a concern and he should be examined by a veterinarian. We worry about a variety of issues ranging from a respiratory infection, feline asthma, heart disease, and more. The vet an examine Orchid, listen to his heart and lungs to check for abnormalities, and may recommend an x-ray to look at the lungs and heart. Based on their exam findings they can prescribe medication to help treat what is causing Orchid's cough.

Coughing and wheezing in a younger cat most commonly occurs as a result of asthma, but could also be related to underlying allergies, masses in the chest, or heart disease (although cats with heart disease do not commonly cough). At this point, I do recommend taking your cat back to the vet for another exam and chest x-rays to try to help differentiate (this is not always completely conclusive) between these causes. I hope this helps!

There are no specific diagnostic tests for asthma, so it's a diagnosis of exclusion. The vet can do a physical exam, blood work, x-rays, parasitic tests, and evaluation of bronchial secretions to rule out other causes of his sneezing and coughing. I would take Blaze back into the vet tomorrow because the antihistamines aren't working. The vet may prescribe a stronger drug in case he has allergies, such as steroids, or they may decide to further testing to diagnose what is causing his symptoms.

While a hairball could cause vomiting I wouldn't expect diarrhea or coughing. A true cough can be a sign of asthma or a respiratory infection. If he can't rest at night and his appetite is affected I'd recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian. They may recommend an x-ray of his chest and abdomen.