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Old December 19th, 2008, 01:07 AM
Melody424 Melody424 is offline
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Smile Hairball or Sick?

I'm trying to decide if my cat has a hairball or if she is ill. She started a couple of days ago "gaging". It was like she was trying to cough up a hairball. She has continued to have "coughting fits" for a couple of minutes at a time. She acts like she is trying to vomit but nothing comes out. I'm not sure if it is a hairball or if she is really ill. I have also noticed today that when she coughs her one eye starts to water. Does anybody have any experience with this? Any suggestions are welcome.
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Old December 19th, 2008, 08:07 AM
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sugarcatmom sugarcatmom is offline
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Could be just a hairball, or it could be something like an asthma attack, it's hard to say. Here's a website that lists asthma symptoms, with a video showing a cat having an attack: http://www.fritzthebrave.com/asthma/symptoms.html

Can you get some hairball remedy and see if that makes a difference? Vetbasis or Vet's Best Cat Lube are a couple good ones to try. I'd stay away from anything with petroleum or mineral oil.
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Old December 19th, 2008, 09:12 AM
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catlover2 catlover2 is offline
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If it's a hair ball, most cats retch and vomit it up. To me this doesn't sound like a hairball problem. I would have her checked out by a vet as it may be an allergy or asthma. Anyone smoke in your home? Has there been something added recently that could cause this coughing---air fresheners? or maybe a Christmas tree?
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Old December 19th, 2008, 09:16 AM
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Love4himies Love4himies is offline
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Sorry to hear about your kitty.

If possible take a video of your kitty coughing and take it to your vet office, just in case she doesn't do it while there.
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Old December 19th, 2008, 10:05 AM
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TacoGrl TacoGrl is offline
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Does your kitty only do it after exercise or if you have picked her up?

If either is the case, then a trip to the vet and an x-ray is definately in order.

Good luck
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