cats

I took in this cat in April.named him Noir. He was severely malnourished and underweight with a nasty wound on his backside.

Since then I've managed to triple his weight. I've had him neutered and vaccinated.

I actually thought he was an old cat because it took over a month before he would play. He slept so much.

But now I'm pretty sure he's like 2 or 3. He's got a ton of energy and just seems "young".

So the coughing.

Never had a cat that does this. I didn't know what was happening at first and thought it was coughing up hairball like my other cat but this is different.

He did do it a few short times when I first got him and I thought maybe dust or allergens so I cleaned the floors and dusted really well and I thought it was better. It's possible he's doing this when I'm asleep or not around though so maybe it never got better.

He occasionally sneezes too with big snot discharge. It's clear though, so no infection. No eye discharge.

The coughing is not every day. But it's not going away. And I'm pretty sure even though the frequency hasn't increased, the length of coughing has. This video is one of the longest I've seen him cough. I wanted to get a video for the vet. He was on the couch with me. Started coughing. Jumped to floor and I thought. He is going to cough more so managed to get my phone out in time.

I have a vet appointment in two weeks. That was the earliest they could get me in.

Asthma seems the most likely since he doesn't have symptoms of an infection. But I hear lung worms are a thing. He was an outdoor stray. So he's at risk.

Asthma coughing is usually brought on by allergens. But I just can't fathom what he is allergic too. I myself have a dust allergy. So I'm pretty good at keeping my living space decently clean.

Originally he mostly coughed in the back bedroom so I thought maybe fabric dust or idk. Something unique to that area.

But he was hacking in the living room last night. And it was the worst coughing fit I've witnessed so far.

I'm sure the vet will figure it out and guide his treatment. But is there anything I can do in the meantime?

It's so scary to watch him hack and cough like that. Like he can't breathe.

I use clay litter. Could it be the litter ?

I tried searching online and only found one page that said it's rare. But it is dusty. ?

Idk. I just am looking for any suggestions to help alleviate his breathing issues until his vet visit on the 13th.

I'm in the U.S Midwest right now and it's very humid. I did read using a humidifier can help but it's already moist here.

I also cleaned my AC filters.

Sorry for long explanation. I just see him hacking and straining to breath and want to do anything I can to help.

It just looks and sounds so bad when he does it. I feel helpless to do anything.