My cat has been coughing and retching--I am assuming trying to cough up a hairball...she just cannot seem to cough it up...I have tried the gel, does not seem to be working...the pet store said it may be too large for her to cough up and I may need to take her to the vet?? What does the vet do for this?? Are there any other remedy suggestions other than the gel to put on her paws?? She HATES the gel and I have a hard time with it...I have been putting it in her food..

Also, she periodically will stand on top of me and prance on my stomach, back, wherever she happens to be standing...while purring very loudly...I am assuming this is a sign of affection, but have never known a cat to do this?? Also--this is a weird one...she will stand on my chest and lick my ear..I mean she actually gets her toungue into my ear canal, and licks it??? Do I have a strange animal, or are these things normal??? Oh and one more--she stands on my girlfriends's chest and nuzzles and chews her hair??