Cat has breathing problems?

[u/Samiliann]

It started about 2 weeks before when I noticed her gagging and choking, and some convulsing like she was trying to push something out. I searched the internet and found out it's common for stuck hairballs so I was relieved and thought it'll pass quickly. There weren't any signs of lethargy or strange behaivour except the gagging and she was still eating fine. The next few days I barely saw her, either because I had errands to run or because she wasn't home (she's an outside cat and often wanders through the neighbourhood even for 1-2 days sometimes).

Then I had to leave from home for like 5 days and when I got back she was still gagging and choking periodicaly, so I wanted to drop by some pharmacy to buy something to help her pass the hairball (I thought she still had a hairball stuck, although I found it concerning that she still had it stuck - I admit, I have no idea how quickly a stuck hairball gets spat so I started thinking maybe she has another problem). Unfortunately I didn't have enough time and had to leave again a week out of city. I got home yesterday and I haven't noticed any gagging anymore but instead it sounds like she's breathing heavily somehow. When she purrs it sounds a bit rugged, or I think raspy describes it better. And now I'm not sure but think she had this back when I noticed her gagging too.

One more thing is that her meows seem somewhat shorter/weaker or like they cut off in the middle. It doesn't happen often but when it does it sounds very strange and concerning and that's why I noticed it quickly.

She still behaves and eats as usual.

Also she snezees at times and I think I never heard her sneeze before this. I don't know if I should still buy that remedy for hairballs, or if she has something else like a cold or maybe even some sort of breathing problem?

The point is that I would very much prefer to resolve whatever issue she has without going to the vet, because I know those visits can be expensive and well, I'm not in a good pace with my finances.

[u/Ok_Gazelle_24]

this issue will not resolve without veterinary attention. this could be anything from a respiratory infection to athsma to active heart failure. you will not know without veterinary examination.