Dear Dr. John,
I’ve a brand new cat not fairly a 12 months previous and one other that’s 13. I introduced the kitten in to maintain the previous man firm. Things are going OK however the kitten is at all times making an attempt to play with the opposite cat and grooms him lots. As a outcome, typically the older cat needs nothing to do with the teen.
I’ve two issues. The youthful cat has taken to having some coughing matches. I regarded it up on-line and it seems to be like bronchial asthma. Could he have bronchial asthma at his age? What do you suggest that I do? The older cat has taken to consuming a bit much less and has misplaced a good quantity of weight. He has at all times vomited a number of hairballs and is at present vomiting a couple of times a day. Could he be sick and what would possibly trigger a good quantity of weight reduction at his age? Could the kitten be inflicting this drawback? D.A.
Dear D.A.,
New kittens launched right into a family typically work out properly and different instances not so properly. While a younger cat may develop bronchial asthma, it often impacts cats beginning at a couple of years of age, so it’s unlikely that bronchial asthma is what’s going on. Coughing is just not the one signal as these cats typically wheeze lots too. If he grooms the opposite cat lots and the older cat can be susceptible to hairballs, then the kitten could also be coughing on the hair or one thing else he’s entering into. Depending on how lengthy you’ve had him, he might need been uncovered to a viral cough beforehand.
If the cough goes on for quite a lot of weeks, I’d have him seen by your veterinarian and chest radiographs could be to ensure that correct prognosis. As for bronchial asthma, it may be handled successfully with corticosteroids.
Your older cat’s frequent vomiting and weight reduction issues me although. He could also be harassed sufficient by the kitten that his urge for food is decrease, however the vomiting makes me consider a overseas physique, an unresolved hairball, or one thing like a mass or irritation within the abdomen. I’d have radiographs, ultrasound, or endoscopy carried out to see if there may be something irregular happening. I recommend you’ve him seen quickly. Hopefully every part might be a straightforward repair.
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He will be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”