Why is my cat still coughing and has phlegm again after vet care?

If a round of antibiotics did not cure Tsuyu's cough, then it may not be caused by a bacteria. Other possible causes of cough include heart disease, lung parasites, allergies, asthma, fungal infections, pharyngeal polyp, among many other things. I would recommend discussing these concerns with her primary veterinarian. Here is an article that discusses coughing in cats in much more detail: https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/coughing/

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.

It could be a respiratory infection. Unfortunately in cats, respiratory infections are typically called by a virus, which means antibiotics won't work. There are few things you can try at home for Esther. First, you can try starting her on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections.

I would recommend having Oliver examined by your vet and have them take some x-rays of his chest. There are some infectious causes of coughing in cats that may improve with medications, but we can also see asthma in cats which would require different medications. I am attaching a link to a handout about asthma in cats below. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=665 Good luck. I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hi there. Coughing in an older cat like this could be caused by a number of different things, including asthma, allergies, bronchitis, or some type of respiratory infection. Since it's been going on for two weeks now, I would recommend taking Cleopatra to the vet on Monday for an exam. He/she can listen to her heart and lungs to check for any obvious abnormalities, and may recommend chest x-rays or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and see what kind of treatment is needed.

I'm sorry to hear that Mittens has not been doing well. I agree that Mittens' chest x-rays appear to be progressing over the past 2 weeks. At this point, either pneumonia is less likely or the bacteria causing a possible pneumonia are resistant to her current antibiotic therapy. Cancer is absolutely a suspicion due to the x-ray progression. Consider asking your vets if they have considered performing either endotracheal or transtracheal washes on Mittens, which would be able to obtain a sample of fluid or cells in the lungs. These samples could be analyzed for cytology (which may be able to diagnose cancer) or culture (to determine if bacteria is present and an appropriate antibiotic). There is a chance that Mittens may not be stable enough to undergo sedation for this procedure, but your vets will be able to examine her to determine if the risks are worth the benefits. I hope that all goes well!

I agree with you that a cough that lasts more than a month is longer than I would expect if she was coughing secondary to a cold or infection. I would expect that the next step would be to take x-rays of her chest to evaluate her heart and lungs. You didn't mention how old Winnie is, but we certainly see asthma in cats. I will attach a handout with more information about that below. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=665 Good luck! I hope that was helpful and you can figure out what is causing Winnie's cough. Thanks for using PetCoach.