Expert: Jessica - 10/22/2009

Question
Hello

We have a 14 year old short hair domestic cat who we are a little concerned about.  He has always been small and has always had problems with his skin (the vet put it down to conifer allergy) but he is beginning to become very very thin.  He is still expressing an interest in food but tends to just eat a small amount and then leave the rest.  He is coughing lots and on several occasions in the last week has coughed and seemed to choke and has only recovered seemingly at the brink of passing out (he has ended up lying on his side with saliva dribbling on these occasions).  I have come home today and been told that during the course of the day he also fell over for no apparent reason.  I am torn between taking him to the vet and not doing so as I don't particularly want to be told that he needs putting down but don't want him to be suffering.  He seems fine in himself he still wants attention and sits on your knee but when he tries to purr this makes him cough.  Does this sound like a oommon cat problem which you have come across before.

Thanks for your help


Answer
Hi Kirsten.  It could potentially be something as simple as an overactive thyroid.  You are probably aware of just what the thyroid is - it's a gland located in the throat area which regulates metabolism among other things.  In cats, especially those over 10 years of age, it is extremely common for the thyroid to become overactive.  The sped up metabolism causes dramatic weight loss, even if the cat continues to eat normally.  Because the thyroid gland is often enlarged, many cats will cough and seem to choke or have difficulty swallowing with uncontrolled thyroid disease.  The good news is that the condition can be controlled with medication.  The bad news is that the longer it takes to have it diagnosed, the more likely irreversible complications like heart damage become.

Coughing fits can also be caused by congestive heart failure, which is less treatable than hyperthyroidism but still may be managed to an extent in some cases.  You could also be dealing with a condition that is primarily of the lungs, such as asthma or pneumonia.  These are both usually fairly easy to treat, asthma with steroids and pneumonia with antibiotics.  

Kidney disease is another ailment we see often in older cats, which would explain his dramatic weight loss and his eagerness to eat at first but disinterest after only a few bites.  However, it doesn’t necessarily explain his choking.

Only a vet will be able to tell you which disease you could be dealing with.  I know he seems in poor shape, and you fear hearing the worst.  However, I believe there is still hope of treatment.  And if the news is as bad as you had feared, it really is kinder for the vet to help him along on his journey than for him to have to continue on his own the way he is.  Having him cared for by a veterinarian, regardless of the outcome, will be the most compassionate, selfless choice you can make in this situation.  

I hope everything works out well.

Jessica