Mmmmm, no answer. I know TT was doing that the other day. Kind of a huffing? I phoned the vet and they seemed to think I was overreacting. Not the vet, his receptionist. He hasn't done it since.
Good Luck at the vets! Hopefully it's just a hairball that doesn't want to come up.
I know about handing over the pay cheque. Just did that.