Ash has got me a bit worried....

[carole]

Something is not right with Ash, last night he began trying to bring something up, you know when they make that harsh coughing sound, nothing much happened and he has been swallowing stuff back down, when he does bring anything up, it is clear phlegm (sp) I have seen him like this once before , and he just came right again, but he does not look too happy, I am really puzzled, he does not appear to have a cold, but I wondered could he have an URI, or is he trying to get a furball up, somehow I don't think that is the problem but I have given him Cat lax just to make sure.

I just wondered if anyone had any ideas? I will give him a day or two to see if he improves, and should he get worse before that , its off to the whitecoats, for sure, but at the moment he is not too bad.

I would appreciate any advice or suggestions thanks.

[AmberLee]

Cassy behaved similarly years ago ... I brought him in. X-rays didn't show anything, but it turned out he'd swallowed some grass that was too long and causing a gag response. Very frightening at the time, but he's fine since. (Not sure if this could be what's wrong with Ash though...)

Please keep us informed on Ash.

[slick]

Whenever Max does this I slop a bit of vaseline down his throat and sure enough, within 12 hrs, a big 'ol hairball appears on my living room rug.

I'm not saying that this is the problem but I hope it's something as simple as that. Please keep us updated.

[carole]

Thank you both for the ideas, I really still feel puzzled, he does not seem a very happy chappy, although he is still hungry and eating well, I thought of maybe a chicken bone being stuck there, I would not give him any with bones, but he is outdoor and could have snuck some somewhere, I think i will just book him in on Weds evening at the vets, unless he shows a marked improvement tomorrow, but I don't think he is going to get better overnight, I am so worried about my old guy, he has been trying again tonight to get whatever it is up, he brings up only a little bit of phlegm, and then shakes his head, to get rid of it, poor old guy, I sure hope it is nothing serious,

[Randi]

Oh poor Ash. I hope he can get it up, whatever it is! Perhaps ring the vet and ask if there's anything you can give him to make it easier for him.

Hope he'll be feeling fine soon and that it's nothing serious!

Get better Ash!

[Killearn Kitties]

Like you, I have only seen this kind of thing with a hairball. I hope it is something simple. Skritchies to Ash.

[jenluckenbach]

Something is obviously bugging him. And it could be ANYthing. A vet visit will put your mind at ease. Best of luck with him.

[carole]

Well Ash is no worse this morning, but I don't see any improvement either, I am making an appointment for him on Wednesday evening, Yes I think he needs to be seen, he may require antibiotics or something, fingers crossed its nothing major, its been such an expensive month for us, with our car and things, just did not need any more, but Kittys cannot help getting ill, and he is more important, if the overdraft goes up a bit more so be it, besides my mother gave us some money for our wedding anniversary, we have not used it yet, so I think it will go towards the vet bill.

Thanks for all your well wishes, I am sure Ash knows you are thinking of him, he is in his favourite spot right now as close to the oil heater as possible, yesterday was a horrible wet day, and that boy did not want to stay inside, unusual for him, as when he is sick he just stays by the heater, but I just made him stay in as much as possible, there were a few sunny spells and he enjoyed basking in it on the verandah , his other favourite hot spot.

Will let you all know how it all went, keep your fingers crossed for my old boy, thanks everyone.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear that Ash is feeling poorly. I sure hope that it's nothing serious. Good luck at the vets. Please keep us updated.

[Kirsten]

Poor Ash!!

Another idea: Sometimes, pieces of cat gras get stuck in the throat, and this can cause the problems you've discribed. Or something else he has swallowed.

Maybe a vet is able to look into his throat and find out what it is.

Kirsten

[carole]

Yes Kirsten that thought had crossed my mind, he is getting no worse, but no improvement, his appetite is fine, so that is good, infact he is quite hungry, he has not been able to sleep as well as usual , as he will wake up and start coughing, however yesterday he did not cough more than a couple of times, well we are off to the whitecoats at 6.15 pm tonight, so wish Ash luck everyone, that it is something easy fixed and he will be back to normal soon.

Silly thing is he is determined to try and stay outside,I am continually getting him back inside, as the weather is cold and wet, and he is NOT staying out in that no matter how hard he trys, normally when he is not well, he just hoggs the heater more than ever, silly ole boy, he got very grumpy yesterday, he was trying to get outside, I daren't pick him up, so gently pushed my foot to turn him back, he went and attacked my foot, nothing unusual for my old boy.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Feel better Ash boy! I hope all goes well at the white coats!

[ChrisH]

Poor Ash. Fingers crossed it turns out to be nothing serious.

[carole]

oK we have been to the whitecoats, and let me tell you I am so proud of my boy, he is so well behaved, a real sweetie pie, so co-operative, putty in the vets hand, he gave me some smoochies and even did a bit of a floppie on the table, he was not so keen on the thermometer up his bottom though, but even when the vet gave him the injection which as she put it would probably make him swear as it stings going in, not a peep out of him, MY ANGEL PIE.

Sorry just had to tell you how good he was.
Amanda the vet said he had a slight temp, and his glands were up and possibly had tonsilitis or it could be viral, so he had two injection, one antibiotic and one anti-inflammatory, and has the inflamms for 4 days and the antibots for a week, I have to ring her on Friday with a progress report.
He was happy to be back home, and so loving, almost like saying gee thanks mum for taking me and getting me checked out.
Unfortunately there is no improvement, I have seen him on this medicene before and pick up immediately, he is still having that cough and he is no worse but no better, its getting worrying.

He may have to have some procedure done to check out his throat, I guess that will entail a general, and lots of money poor Ash, Please keep sending positive vibes for my old boy to pick up soon, thanks.

[AmberLee]

~~~ Ash health vibes ~~~ coming at ya.

Perk up, sweet boy. You were SUCH a good boy at the white coats we are all so proud of you, honey.