Something wrong with cat!!

[Blake]

Today, I found out that our male tabby has been wheezing a lot and has had some problems swallowing his own saliva. This is just very recent. He is an old cat, but I am fuzzy as to how old he exactly is.

I really know I should be calling a vet, but I want the helpful advice from my fellow PPTers first. Does anybody possibly know what is happening? Is he getting too old and has to be sent to be euthanized, or is it just a common illness?

[Siniri]

Today, I found out that our male tabby has been wheezing a lot and has had some problems swallowing his own saliva. This is just very recent. He is an old cat, but I am fuzzy as to how old he exactly is.

I really know I should be calling a vet, but I want the helpful advice from my fellow PPTers first. Does anybody possibly know what is happening? Is he getting too old and has to be sent to be euthanized, or is it just a common illness?

Well, it could be anything, really. It's possible it's a hairball issue -- it might be shedding season where you are. Maybe he swallowed something. Or maybe he has asthma. It could be something much more serious though -- the only way to know for sure is to go to the vet -- a general diagnostic exam should be no more than US$40, and if additional tests are needed to be sure, they should tell you how much they cost and get you to authorize them before they do them.

I hope it's nothing too serious.

[shapu]

Sounds similar to asthma symptoms in people.

Get him checked out. Take him to the humane society in your area if you don't have a regular vet - they usually offer much cheaper services than a private vet.

[Alex]

PPTers can't really help with veterinary (or medical, for that matter) issues. We're not qualified, and there's something to be said for actual in-person diagnosis, rather than describing the symptoms over the internet.

I suggest the vet. There's nothing we can tell you that will help apart from that.

[Shoyru_Lover]

Go to the vet.

My dog had a similar problem... then she started vomiting everything. Turns out her stomach had flipped. Needed surgery right away to unflip it.

[smudgeoffudge]

There is some kind of fish oil stuff that they sell at the vet that helps with hairballs. It looks like jelly, and they will lick it right out of the tube. If it is hairballs, then that is something good you can give them.

I had a cat that started losing weight, shedding, drooling, and smelled very bad. I took it to the vet and they said it had feline lukemia, and that it could live a few more months with meds or they could put it down. I had it put down, but it was very sad.

[Blake]

Thanks for all of your help. I'm prety sure this is not a hairball situation. He's done that enough that we should know. I am going to take him to the vet, anyway. I just wanted a general idea first.

[Shoyru_Lover]

Let us know how it goes. Fingers crossed it isn't anything too serious.

[Siniri]

Blake, how's your cat doing? I hope he's alright and it wasn't too serious.

[Blake]

Blake, how's your cat doing? I hope he's alright and it wasn't too serious.

He stopped doing it and we haven't noticed anything else suspicious so we decided to call off the vet appointment.