Ragdoll Cat Forums

I was taking pictures of Solo today because I wanted to post pictures of how his body looks. I was worried he is looking overweight, sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't (depends on the angle). While doing so he started coughing for me, so I was able to record it.

Solo's coughing/hacking

Please let me know if you think this sounds/looks hairball or allergy related, and keep in mind it has been occurring less frequently and I do give him hairball paste every day. I'll throw in his "fat" pictures too if any of you guys have opinions if I should cut back on his food or not. He is just shy of 5mo old and 7lbs.

Fatty lil boy



And then here he doesn't look quite as large

It would probably be very helpful to e-mail that video (or a link to the video on YouTube) to your vet so that he/she can see and hear it. Sorry that I don't have any insight into what it is, specifically... And by the way, I think that Solo is an incredibly cute kitten!!!

Solo is lovely. His face has such wonderful markings and his colour is almost silver. Beautiful.

I really think you should take Solo to the vet - at the very least call the vet tomorrow morning. There are so many reasons why he could be coughing - some aren't serious, but others are. The sooner you help Solo and work with your vet to resolve it, the better for him.

Here's a list of what could be causing his cough: http://maxshouse.com/database_monographs/COUGHING.htm

Wow, poor baby -- that doesn't look like asthma or a hairball to me -- wonder if it's allergy? Does your vet have an e-mail so you could e-mail him the video and ask for his/her thoughts? It is very strange....I'd really follow up with the vet on it one way or another. The video will be VERY helpful to him I would think.

He definitely doesn't look overweight - he looks adorable. It's recommended never to limit a kitten's intake because they are growing and will go through stages. I think he looks adorable and is already starting to form his fat pad (genetic for ragdolls). What a cutie!!

I am not a vet but it doesnt seem like asthma or hairball. Seems more like something annoying his throat. I also dont think 7 pounds at 5 months of age is a problem.

Yes, get a vet to check - and being able to see the video will help. Do not diet him, but also have the vet check his abdomen carefully. These symptoms can be simple or complicated, but the sooner you get started on figuring it out the better.

Awww poor Solo!! I don't know what that could be either but definitely show the video to the vet. About the weight issue, my ragdoll Dexter is just over 5 months and weighs 6 pounds. And I think he seems small for a ragdoll. I don't think Solo looks chubby! Good luck with everything!

Poor baby Solo. I'm not a doctor, but it sure looks very similar to an asthma attack. You can see the abdominal muscles contracting to help the diaphram in pushing the air out and trying to dislodge the mucus (which I think I hear) in his airway. I'd be sure to let the vet see this video and if it were me I'd get him in tomorrow. Do you have a laptop that you could take with so the vet could see this video? Otherwise, I know our vet has the internet and maybe yours does too. Good luck to you both. Healing prayers coming your way.

I would encourage you to at least call the vet. Solo is adorable!!

Ok, tomorrow we are going to call a vet. We can bring him in on Tuesday if they have anything available for then, hopefully they will. I am really hoping this is nothing serious... I have had extremely bad luck with pets and health problems and I would be devastated if it were to happen again...

I know when I get a pet there are financial responsibilities associated with vet care and that animals do get sick from time to time just like people, but my last dog needed surgery on his shoulders, elbows, and hips. Talk about expensive. One hip replacement alone is around $6k. My parents in law adopted him and helped get him the surgeries he needed, because the vet said if he didn't get them the next fair thing to do was to put him to sleep. It was one of the most horrible situations I have ever been in, asking the question where to draw the line as far as financial expenses and saving the dogs life.

Solo did a little more coughing earlier today and I kinda got in his face so I could hear his throat better when I noticed a horrible, rancid smell coming from his mouth. I never noticed any smell before because I don't usually get in his face when he does it. My hope is that he swallowed something that is rotting in his throat and it just needs to be pulled out. This way he won't have a medical problem and it will clear everything up.

I sent an email and a link to the video to my breeder, and she told me that one of his brothers is doing the same thing and he is going to see a vet soon about it also. I am worried this may be something genetic, but it could also be a cold they both have had all along?!?