Need some help with my cat.

[Spaniard]

My cat over this weekend developed some wheezng sounds when he breaths. Vets not open untl monday and I'm worried sick. I've had this cat since I was little. He's about 10 years old, and has always been a very healthy cat. I must admit he is an indoor cat that hasn't seen the vet in a very long time. It almost seems as if he has a really bad hair ball that is making him wheeze. If he starts to purr loudly he gets choked up and trys to spit something out but he isn't able to get anything out. Got him some science diet food to help with the hairballs and some paste to mix with his dry food that is supposed to help break down the hairballs. Any of you have any experience with something like this. I'm freaking out a little cause I've had this cat forever, I'm planning on taking him to the vet on Monday. Anyone have any soothing words?

[Phreak]

My cat does this too! I don't know what it is but he has been in for a check-up and the vet didn't say anything but I'm not sure. Now you've got me worried!! Let me know how it goes.

[Spaniard]

What got me worried was the fact that a hairball can get quite large in a cat and cause impaction. In some cases surgery is needed to remove the hairball. My cat isn't doing the wheezing once and a while is constantly, like he has something stuck somewhere. Ahhhh I just don't know, just happy I have a really good vet nearby.

[wolfy-hound]

It could be many things, from serious to not.
It is possible he has a upper respitory infection. He could have the old hairball problem. Could have something stuck in his throat. Could have a mild cough from allergies or dust. Might have a dustbunny stuck in his throat from hunting under furniture.
The best thing I CAN tell you, Cats that eat and drink, pee in the litterbox, generally are not on death's door. Relax, pamper and wait for the vet appointment(unless he gets worse of course).
*All of the above information/advice/opinion are only opinions held by the poster and not to be taken by any readers as official vet advice. Contents are measured by weight, not volumne, and some settling may have occured during shipping.
Wolfy

[Spaniard]

Thanks,

He scarfed down some food before although he made an array of noises I've never heard from him before. Drank some water and is now resting on the couch.

Again thanks

[SeraphimScum]

You can try giving straight Nutrical ( without mixing it into the food) and see if that helps but as mentioned it could be anything. My older cat 13 years now has been indoor and healthy since a kitten and she developed asthma 2 years ago. Another old boy I have here lived with my cousin for a long time who is a chain smoker ( the kind that never opened a freaking window in her life either) and after she dumped him on me when moving he developed a lung condition from the smoke.
I hope its nothing serious. I had a rescue here that managed to find a lose string from a blanket and thought it would be fun to chew until it started unraveling and getting longer and longer and she started choking on it. I pulled a foot of string from her throat!
Good luck and let us know what happens!