Luci Can't Tell Us Why She Struggles to Breathe. A CT Scan Can

When Luci came to Foster Cats Collective of Queens, her feeder was concerned about more than just her friendly personality. Luci's breathing was noticeably abnormal, producing audible snorting and wheezing sounds that could be heard even from a distance.

An initial veterinary exam confirmed that Luci was otherwise in good health. She had been TNR'd previously, and tested negative for FIV and FeLV, and showed no obvious signs of illness beyond her concerning breathing issues. Hoping the problem was caused by an infection, her veterinarian prescribed a course of doxycycline. Unfortunately, the treatment made no difference.

After Luci had time to settle into foster care, she returned for additional testing. Veterinarians carefully examined her ears, nose, and throat for polyps or other visible obstructions that could explain her symptoms, but again, no answers were found.

Luci continues to experience nasal stridor on inspiration, an abnormal breathing sound that occurs when she inhales, especially when she becomes stressed.

Without advanced diagnostics, we are left guessing about the cause. The underlying issue could be something relatively manageable, or it could be a structural abnormality, chronic disease process, or other condition that may worsen over time if left undiagnosed. Until we can identify the cause, we cannot determine the best course of treatment or know what Luci's future holds.

Her veterinarian has recommended pursuing advanced diagnostics, including a cranial CT scan. Luci has handled every exam, test, and vet visit with incredible patience and resilience. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her condition, she remains a sweet, trusting cat who deserves the chance to breathe comfortably and live without unanswered medical concerns hanging over her future.

Foster Cats Collective of Queens is raising funds to help cover the cost of Luci's specialty consultation and advanced imaging. These diagnostics are our best opportunity to finally uncover the cause of her breathing difficulties and determine what treatment she may need moving forward.

Please consider donating to Luci's campaign. Your support can help us get the answers she desperately needs and ensure that a potentially serious condition does not go untreated.

7/29/26 Update

We're happy to share a positive update on sweet Luci!

Luci is settling in beautifully in what we hope will be her forever home. Her new family wanted to give her time to adjust before moving forward with additional vet appointments, allowing her to feel safe and comfortable in her new surroundings first.

She has made wonderful progress. Luci is exploring more of the house, peacefully coexisting with the resident cat, Lizzie, and even spending quiet evenings near her new mom, sharing slow blinks during reading time. While a large hairball briefly caused a setback and sent her back under the bed for a few days, she quickly regained her confidence and has continued coming out to explore.

Although Luci's signature snuffling and noisy breathing are still present, they haven't dampened her sweet personality. We love her just as she is, but we also want to make sure there's nothing more serious causing her breathing difficulties.

Her specialty consultation is scheduled in August. During that appointment, the veterinary team will evaluate her condition and make plans for the cranial CT scan that will hopefully provide the answers everyone has been searching for.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Luci's journey so far. Your generosity is helping Foster Cats Collective of Queens get her one step closer to a diagnosis and, hopefully, the treatment she needs to breathe more comfortably for years to come.