My goodness that so similar, who would have ever suspected a feather? These little down feathers are so tiny, where does it go though, not in their lungs, or do they somehow get it out, but because it's wet it's not noticeable?

Just saw this thread. How scary for you and Marcel!! I am glad you are both doing better!

Omg Ann, I am just now seeing this. I experienced something very similar the other day with Lilly. It started out as a "reverse sneezing" episode but she wouldn't stop. I was horrified. Everything that I usually do to get her to stop wasn't working, I was crying but still trying to stay calm so I wouldn't make her nervous. Her body got so stiff. Finally, I kept screaming for my mom and she came in and helped me calm her down then she was fine. I didn't pay attention to her nose to see if it was dripping or anything but as soon as I read your post I was like... OMG cus it sounds EXACTLY what I went through with Lilly. :confused:

I'm so glad he's ok though, bless his little heart.

How scary!!!!!!! I'm so glad Marcel is okay! Sending hugs....

oh no! I'm sure you were scared to death! I'm so glad Marcel is okay!! and I sure hope that doesn't happen again. I'm so sorry you and Marcel had to go through that :(

Just checking in to find out about Marcel ..... How is he doing? Hope all is well.

Connie, this sounds the same! I now think it was it was a little down feather. Does your sister have a down comforter, down pillows? Dena brought this up to me first and the more I considered it, I really think this is it. Because a fluffy feather could at first occlude the airway, then as it becomes moist - you can see how it would eventually let the air back through, eventually.

That's what I'm wondering too. There is a chance they could cough it up and swallow it, or it could move farther up and swallow it. Or, it could stick in their throat a while (but they'd probably show irritation signs, i.e. coughing). But, they could aspirate it (not to be gross, but have you heard of humans ending up in the hospital from aspirating their own vomit? So, you can inhale bad things). And the lungs can get rid of some things, but I doubt a feather. I emailed my sister (who is a doc) and I'll see what she says about aspirates. I'd think a respiratory infection would soon follow if he did aspirate the feather.

Wow! This is freaky. Mia had an episode just like that with the runny nose, stiffening up, and short breaths a couple of weeks ago. She does do that reverse sneezing when she gets excited but this was different. Of course I freaked out a little and told hubby to grab her. We checked her mouth for objects - nothing. We talked very calmly to her - it continued, so hubby put his mouth over her nose and mouth and gently blew - I think he had to do that twice. She started to calm down but her breathing was still a little hard for a few seconds, we comforted her and she was fine after that. We were more upset than she was - although I could see that the episode upset her. We don't have any down in our pillows or comforter - so that would be out for us. It happened about 4:00 in the morning. I think it was like when we miss a rhythm in our breathing and we get scared and grasp for air. I think who ever said the reasoning for the nasal drip is because she couldn't breathe through her mouth and then the fluid went out her nose - like when you swallow funny and it comes out our noses. Anyway, just my opinion. We just had both kids to the Vet yesterday and heart & lungs check out fine. I pray it doesn't happen again because it was scary!!! I did feel like she was going to have a heart attack just trying to breathe - and then I would have had one!!!

So happy that Marcel and the others are ok, too.

omg!!! I am so glad marcel is doing better! Just reading that had me frantic feeling. So do you think it was a feather?

Stopping by to see if everything is ok with Marcel. Certainly do hop things went well last night.

Oh my goodness.:(

If that happened to Ellie I don't know how I would even stay calm enough to find a vets number.

After reading all of this, I will be afraid to leave Tricksie alone.
She tore up my feather pillow but guess she didn't swallow any.

OMG how scary! I am so glad Mr. Marcel is ok now-but I would have FREAKED out and gone right to the ER vet too!!! Sending prayers that whatever it was doesn't return!

He's doin' good :). I do think he remembers being "scared" at night, bc he slept on my neck ALL NIGHT long last night, lol. He is still getting some nasal dripping, which is a little strange, but nothing excessive - just a little bit. I guess I'll keep an eye on it and if it continues it'd make me think maybe the feather/puff is still in his airway somewhere (?). But, he's acting totally normal!! :)

I haven't read through all the posts yet (so maybe somebody has said this already?), but my Lily (kitty cat) has asthma, and the vet can hear her restricted airways when we just go in for a checkup. She is breathing fine when her hears that, but I am able to hear her wheezing out loud when she is running around playing and stops to take breaths--I can put my ear to her chest when she's wheezing and hear it in her lungs too.

I'm thinking it's not asthma, but the dryer sheet/lint makes sense....weird that it would happen way later though. Someone else posted that it happens to their dogs everytime they're around laundry so she keeps them away from it.....just got me thinking that maybe they're allergic to whatever she uses as dryer sheets or laundry detergent or fabric softener. (The longer laundry is left out--hanging, folded, whatever--those scents dissapate.) Do you think Marcel could have been into something like the dryer sheet from earlier in the day instead of sleeping?? And then came to you when he couldn't breathe? I don't know....just a thought....that's the only thing that makes sense to me right now. I'll keep reading....

(I teared up when I read your account of what happened. I'm SOOOO glad he's better and hope it NEVER happens again!!!!)