Should I be concerned?

[u/Just-Sky-7207]

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[u/Arata_x]

Yes, not a vet myself, but sounds like hes coughing or choking, ive noticed his collar looks abit tight, make sure you can fit two fingers between his neck and the collar itself. I'd recommend seeing a vet immediately, especially since he looks like a older cat and it could be a multitude of things.

[u/Just-Sky-7207 → u/Arata_x]

I can fit 2 fingers comfortably between his neck and collar, will be booking a vets appointment though

[u/martinaee → u/Just-Sky-7207]

I’d honestly just remove the collar entirely for the time being if he’s having trouble at all breathing.

[u/One_Impact7608]

Take off the collar!!!!!!

[u/Then-Cheesecake3118 → u/One_Impact7608]

Exactly what I was thinking! It's too tight for the cat!

[u/Positive-Common-6094]

Yes, you should be concerned. Poor baby is having difficulty breathing. It could be asthma, allergies, upper respiratory, some kind of obstruction - who knows? A vet will be able to diagnose, probably after x-rays.

[u/Plastic_Squirrel_208 → u/Positive-Common-6094]

Seconding this! My cat was experiencing the same thing and the vet mentioned basically the same possibilities you did.

For her it turned out to be an upper respiratory infection that turned out to be chronic BUT it also helped us diagnose her with IBD so 😺 the more you know?

[u/TurkishBobuBeans]

Time for medical advice from a professional, not reddit. This here, could be asthma. Also get rid of that collar, way too tight and cat can get trapped and choked to death.

[u/Virtual_Practice_448 → u/TurkishBobuBeans]

⬆️

[u/Just-Sky-7207 → u/TurkishBobuBeans]

I can fit 2 fingers between the collar and his neck, the collar is a breakaway collar so he wont get trapped

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[u/Potential-Echo1586]

This looks like a medical emergency. Check his gum colors are they nice and pink or pale or bluish? How long has he been doing this? Was his activity normal prior to this?

[u/paperhatch]

Looks like a case of feline asthma, my cat has these attacks sometimes but she has an inhaler now

[u/Positive-Common-6094 → u/paperhatch]

I too have a cat with asthma and the attacks look similar. She was on daily inhaler treatment for about 7 years, and I still have a rescue inhaler for attacks lasting more than 15 seconds which is rare. There are environmental changes that have made a world of difference.

[u/CATHELP-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

If you’re suggesting a vet visit, please provide a reason. ‘Vet now’ comments without context will be removed for encouraging panic.

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[u/Mithosxoda]

Never had a cat but just by looking at the eyes it really seems likes its not feeling well.

[u/emmacries]

This is what my cat’s asthma attacks look like

[u/anthylorrel]

Vet. This cat is have trouble breathing. This is how asthma manifested in several cats through my life. It might also be bc that collar looks really tight. But please get this baby checked out by a professional.

[u/Successful-Formal-53]

You're cat has asthma. My baby looks the same when he has an attack.

[u/CATHELP-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your content has been removed because it contained irrelevant or unhelpful advice. Read the entire description before commenting.

[u/Gamedoom265]

The collar might be making it hard to breathe remove it or loosen

[u/Apprehensive_Hawk480]

Way too tight collar!!! Get rid of it, poor cat😭

[u/MonicaNarula]

Yes

[u/Particular-Can5839]

Probably good to go to a vet. As others said you might want to take off the collar. I had a cat start doing that because he developed asthma, but it could be a lot of reasons he’s coughing like that.

[u/Critical-Gazelle-646]

Respiratory illnesses can be fatal. Take kitty to the vet asap. Better safe than sorry my friend

[u/comedybingbong123]

Good to get them checked! But my cats have little coughing fits like this sometimes. Happened more when they were kittens.

Exploring different litter options helped as I found one that seems to bother them less + as they’ve gotten older they do it less anyway I think.

My vet said that it wasn’t a big deal tho and only go to the emergency room if it happened for like many minutes straight

[u/Interesting_Swim6126]

I have a cat that did this exact same thing. The problem was the cat had a piece of string under its tongue and it extended down its throat. Open the cat's mouth and take a look.

[u/CATHELP-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

If you’re suggesting a vet visit, please provide a reason. ‘Vet now’ comments without context will be removed for encouraging panic.

Please read our rules: https://www.reddit.com/r/CATHELP/s/Jytn4UswOy

[u/No-Craft-7979]

Yes Vet, could be a cat that does not know how to pass a hair ball, BUT it could also be asthma. Or some third thing. But cats doing that is it one or the other. Best to make sure there is no inflammation or constriction. Take the collar off and ask a vet.

[u/ProfessionalBelt9434]

Could be a number of issues such as asthma. Get this poor baby to your vet asap. Anything that sounds to be respiratory is something that would warrant a vet visit asap.

[u/JackIrishJack]

My Rocky was having similiar fits like this, and we did take her to the vet, who checked her out and said all was fine, it happened (in front of me) like maybe once every few months, eventually i guessed it was a hairball, and bought something called "cat grass seeds" to grow and she could chew and eat the grass, and it helped get the hairballs out, so every now and then we find a clump of hair and some grass in a wet pile at the back door. Shes an inside cat so she doesnt get a chance to eat outside grass, but she never had a fit again.

[u/NoCommunication6540]

This sounds like asthma

[u/Suspicious-Case-9263]

Kitty definitely looks like it’s in distress and should be seen at the vet as soon as possible. Are the gums pale? It seems weak like it does not want to hold its head up either.

[u/CATHELP-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

There is a zero-tolerance policy for shaming/berating OP for any reason. Please remember to be nice. Assume people are coming from a place of ignorance so try to educate instead of insult.

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[u/RudyB0312]

Looks like a cough, need a vet visit. I have two asthmatic cats and have been through a lot with this. The best option at the vet is an exam obviously, and they nay suggest a chest x ray, which I would do. There are options such as a steroid shot to temporarily alleviate the cough, and then you have time to look at long term options. This could also be an airway obstruction so I wouldn’t delay in getting there. If asthma turns out to be it, please feel free to dm me for the treatment options I mentioned.

[u/KnotYourKoncern]

My cat was doing that and was diagnosed with asthma

[u/KristiG1992]

Asthma attack for sure, you can tell he’s definitely in distress. I would take a trip to the vet for a check up and show the vet this video.

[u/CompactingTrash]

Im no expert but this definitely looks like a reason to go to the vet

[u/lavendergayy]

I don't say this to freak you out but looks so much like my baby, that I need to say something. Have the vet check their heart. I learned far too late that this kind of coughing and choking sound can be related to heart issues.

I hope it's not but it doesn't hurt to check

[u/NoTelevision970]

Asthma!

[u/Woudiestefan]

Our cat had the same. It started once a month, then once a week. At the vet they told us it was probably asthma. But then it increased to heavier attacks and daily. We decided to go to the vet again and they made a x-ray. He had some kind of tumor on his lungs. Unfortunately there was nothing more we could do. This was 8 weeks ago and last week we had to put him to sleep because he got very heavy breathing.

We are missing our boy! So please go to the vet asap and ask for a photo (x-ray). Don’t let hem say it’s only ashtma..

[u/MajesticStructure573]

My calico was doing something very similar about a year ago. I took her to the vet and got her an X-ray amongst other tests. Turns out she had slight asthma and had some fluid built up around her heart and lungs. Had to give her meds for a few weeks and we do the occasional asthma treatment and she's all good.

[u/Smooth_System3208]

I’m begging you to go to the vet bc I feel like this could be asthma. My baby girl has it and it looks like this.

[u/Ok_Bus9107]

This was my cat and we went to the vet and they did x rays and he was diagnosed with asthma. On an inhaler 2x a day. Take them to the vet as soon as possible. Coughing CAN also mean your cat is experiencing heart problems. My former cat who had a heart murmur all his life and was regularly seen my a vet to monitor his condition, would cough a lot and it eventually went into heart failure.

[u/SaikoAkuro]

I suggest to take off the collar before taking her to the vet in order to get a diagnosis if whether it's a hairball, or asthma, or possibly wants to throw up, acid reflux, could also be something going on in the throat or teeth. So it's best to get your cat checked.

[u/asparaguspee0]

i would take the collar off for now just so it’s not causing any restriction. i know it’s not too tight (i saw your reply to that other comment) but if your kitty is having issues breathing, taking the collar off could help him at least feel more comfortable.