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Question
what would make a cat choke when he eats. He's not coughing. I can tell that he's choking. He only does this when he eats.
Hi Jan. There are a number of things that could cause this, including a swallowed foreign body such as a string, a growth in the throat area, or a faulty valve in the esophagus. Some cats with an enlarged thyroid, which usually indicates hyperthyroidism, will choke due to the location of the thyroid in front of the throat.
You should get your kitty to a vet. They will do a physical exam to check for anything that may be visible in his mouth and upper throat and listen to his heart, just in case heart disease could have anything to do with it. If his thyroid is enlarged or his heart is beating quickly, a thyroid test might be recommended. If nothing stands out, an x-ray may be suggested to see if there appear to be any growths in the upper chest region, although the throat is difficult to get pictured on an x-ray. The cat may need to be anesthetized so the vets can look down his throat with a scope to check for growths such as tumors or polyps, or foreign bodies. If it's determined that his upper esophageal valve is faulty, and it's causing a real problem, your only option may be surgery.
I hope all goes well!
Jessica
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you for your help. I'm a pet lover. I have 9 cats and 3 dogs. We live on 25 ac. in the mountains so I see coyotes and 4 days ago we found a mtn. lions foot print at our mail box. I get a wide range of animals on my deck wild and tame. Thank You Jan. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Jessica
Expertise
The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience
I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience
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