Advice needed

[cookie]

Hello

I adopted a shelter cat this week and had him home for the first day yesterday. Now his been kinda skitsh but friendly. His eaten and used his tray as well has come for lots of cuddles. Today he started wheezing slightly. It sounds like a dry cough and he retches like his gonna have a hair ball. He will do it once, then not do it for a while. Its on and off. He doesn't seem to be in pain or discomfort and so far his not been sick or had the runs. His let me pick him up and fuss him so seemed normal other than an occasional wheeze. His a little gassy but Im not sure if thats just normal for him. Oh and his not got a runny noes or eyes. I'm still a little panicky though so thought I should get some advice. He is F.I.V positive so I am a little paranoid.

Thanks for any advice in advance. If his not stopped tomorrow I will pop him to the PDSA anyway just in case.

[Kay]

my best bit is he's mildly allergic to something in your home - he may stop wheezing after a period of adjustment, but if he labours for breath, or his eyes start watering, you will need to seek a vet's advice

the gassiness might be down to his diet - are you feeding him the same as the shelter did?

but unless he seems to be struggling I personally would give it a week to see if it settles

[Janey]

Hi, welcome. It could be a hairball, my cat was a bit like that yesterday, then was sick, just water but I think it’s hair. She’s not usually like that but she’s been grounded for a week, she had to have a collar on for a sore she kept scratching. Or as Kay says could be something in the home, different environment. Things like candles, airfreshners, perfumes etc can cause it. I stopped using candles when I had a wheezy cat and came to realise it could have been making it worse for him.

[emmab]

Sounds like a hairball, however the refuge may help. You can buy food especially for the prevention of hairballs. If not ask the refuge.One of our cat does something similar and I have never been sure if it was an allergy to dust etc or hairballs but seems fine and only seems to do ot when we have a fire going. Our refuge offers a fre vets check a week after adoption which is helpful. Well done for rescuing...it always warms my heart.

[cookie]

my best bit is he's mildly allergic to something in your home - he may stop wheezing after a period of adjustment, but if he labours for breath, or his eyes start watering, you will need to seek a vet's advice

the gassiness might be down to his diet - are you feeding him the same as the shelter did?

but unless he seems to be struggling I personally would give it a week to see if it settles

I put him on what the shelter recommended today, yesterday he had a fish pouch (fancy cat food) as a treat. I think it upset his tummy a bit. He had a little diarrhoea late last night but seems fine now. He ate his breakfast and has been quite cuddly. Still seems to be coughing/retching now and then but doesn't seem distressed. Im gonna keep a lose eye one him for any more signs.

Thanks for the advice.

[cookie]

Sounds like a hairball, however the refuge may help. You can buy food especially for the prevention of hairballs. If not ask the refuge.One of our cat does something similar and I have never been sure if it was an allergy to dust etc or hairballs but seems fine and only seems to do ot when we have a fire going. Our refuge offers a fre vets check a week after adoption which is helpful. Well done for rescuing...it always warms my heart.

Yeah the shelter is coming back next week and taking him for a free booster jab and to clip his claws for me. His still eating and doesn't seem distressed.
his still a bit weezy but otherwise seems normal. I'm thinking its a hair ball or an allergy. keeping a watch on him for any changes. His not been here long so I dont know his habits. I'm glad I rescued him, I lost my last cat very suddenly and thought it might be nice to get a shelter animal. Thanks for the advice!

[cookie]

Hi, welcome. It could be a hairball, my cat was a bit like that yesterday, then was sick, just water but I think it’s hair. She’s not usually like that but she’s been grounded for a week, she had to have a collar on for a sore she kept scratching. Or as Kay says could be something in the home, different environment. Things like candles, airfreshners, perfumes etc can cause it. I stopped using candles when I had a wheezy cat and came to realise it could have been making it worse for him.

Yeah I think he had an upset tummy because of the diet change. His eating and drinking fine. He had the runs a little but again that seems to have stopped. I think it might be a an allergy or maybe just stress from moving. He was in the shelter for 6 months and a stray before that. So its a big change.

[Janey]

It is all a big change to him, he sounds well looked after now though and hopefully will settle down soon. Let us know how things go and give him a cuddle from me