My cat Max who is three years old and always been healthy has a harsh cough,won't eat or drink, is lethargic when usually strong and playful. He let me hold him all day when he usually does not like to be held. We took him to the vet yesterday afternoon. His chest xray was clear, his test for feline Leukemia and Aids were negative. His xray did show as mild clouding at the trachea which the vet thought might be a hair ball. We then took him right away to an emergency pet hospital. They wanted to do a swallowing test on him, give him IV fluids, and do a CBC, electrolytes, and enzyme profile. Then maybe an endoscopy. (and I know all of this is very important.) This would have cost us between $1000.00 and $3000.00 which we could not afford. So, we came home with Max and started giving him some beef broth with a little sugar mixed in with a syringe which he tolerated without choking or vomiting. His respiration was not worsened by the syringe feedings. So I feel that he probably did not apsirate. I am wondering if, since we live in south Florida in a rented house that the hurricanes of 2004 demolished the roof and a new one had to be put on, and the real estate people said the mold had been totally cleaned, if that might not be true about the mold. Could it be that Max the Cat (as we affectionately call him) who loves to sleep on the top of the wall on the plant shelve close to the ceiling and air conditioner ducts might have gotten to much contact with mold spores and is having a severe reaction? We love him so much and want to help him, but we aren't able to afford the treatment suggested. What do you think? Thanks you so much for your answer. Paula

Optional Information:
Age: 3; Male; Breed: Domestic Short Hair feline

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Please see my letter as it describes everything as best as I can tell you.