Cat with potential asthma ..?!?!?

Smithyp1

Hi all,

The missus took jasper, who is only 10 months old, to the vets today after getting a bit of twig/wood stuck in his eye.

That got sorted and he has some drops, but, while they were there, my missus mentioned to the vet that jasper very often opens his mouth and heavy breaths. We always thought cats do it when they smell a new smell if that makes sense. The vet said that wasn't the case and now wants him in next week for x-rays and tests to see if he has asthma !!

Bit of a shock, but does anyone elses cat do the same ??

He literally can be sitting, lying, walking or whatever, and suddenly opens his mouth for maybe a few seconds, maximum of 5-10 secs maybe.

Any advice, suggestions etc ?

Thanks

lowis

i have read of asthmatic cats before, but what you describe sound like the Flehmen Response (the 'smelling' of the air).

do you have insurance for your cat? treating asthma long term could be costly, you might want to speak to your vet about getting some in place before he officially states any clinical signs of asthma on your cat's medical records....just a thought.

i hope it all turns out Ok for your little kitty x

lowis

found this...mild asthma apparently shows itself as a slight hacking cough, like a hairball stuck in the throat...not what you describe.

http://www.2ndchance.info/asthmacat.htm

does your cat seem in pain or anything when he does the breathing thing?

Tortieshell

Please get him checked out, I dont want to worry you but my british shorthair cat was 8 months old and used to do this usually after playing. My vet checked his heart for me before he got nautered and told me he was ok.

He looked fit & healthy otherwise. Well 2 months after neutering we woke one morning to find him mouth wide open struggling for air and making the most horrible noise. To cut a long story short we rushed him to the emergency vet and after a 3 days stay was told he had a very severe heart murmer

He managed to survive but is on daily meds for the rest of his life and we have to be really watchful over him.

I dont want to worry you but please ask your vet about this. It wasnt detected at my usual vet but since have changed vets and they said its very clearly a murmur. Its also unusual for it to be so severe when hes so young so maybe your vet hasnt checked for this. Please ask him to.

Sazzyukrafc

Awww poor thing, at least he is fine now though

I've never heard of asthma in cats or experienced it.

Our boys do the open mouthed thing when they're smelling something strong/new etc...they also do it if they've been running around outside madly and are hot - they're very silly brothers so get excited a lot!

I guess it is best to get it checked out. Does he do it after certain things or is it just random?

Smithyp1

Purely random times.

I have brothers, jasper and riley, riley does it now and again but havnt noticed him doing it as much as jasper.

Like others have said i thought it was the new/strong smell technique so now we are confused.

Oh and when i got home, jaspers right eye was closed up and he looked very sad because of his poorly eye. We gave him lots of fuss and even his brother didnt bother him which was very nice to see.

This morning his eye looks much better, its open, but not quite 100% yet but with the drops and no outdoor activities i'm sure he will be fine.

Thanks for the advice and info people :-)