Cat Asthma
Signs and Symptoms of Cat Asthma
Cat asthma is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the bronchioles, which are the small passageways in the lungs. If your cat has asthma, her passages will get thicker, and collapse when she inhales, which makes it harder for her to catch her breath. Your pet may have any degree of asthma, from mild to severe. In the worst cases, wheezing and coughing occur, and the cat is not able to get any exercise, because it's too hard to breathe. In cases like this, many bronchioles get plugged with mucus, and the smooth muscle around these tubes goes into spasm, which makes it much harder for her to breathe. Some cats have only a high-pitched wheeze or a mild cough, and the disease is not as debilitating for them. Researchers estimate than one percent of all cats have asthma, and it is found most often in Siamese cats.
Chronic cat asthma usually begins between the ages of two and six. It may start with mild respiratory distress or a slight cough, but these will be broken by periods when the cat breathes normally. Sometimes these symptoms are mistaken for hair balls. But cats in the midst of an acute asthma attack have a very hard time breathing. Their breaths are deep, abdominal and labored. Sometimes vomiting may occur. This is serious and can be life-threatening.
Cat asthma attacks are usually triggered by stress, or by allergens in the air. Some common things cats may be allergic to include perfumes, aerosols, dust, cigarette smoke, fumes, smoke, tree pollens and grass.
Your veterinarian will diagnose whether your cat has allergies or not. They may suspect asthma if your cat is having difficulty breathing, but they will normally take an x-ray to confirm their diagnosis. There may be signs that mimic heartworm signs too, so your vet will want to take a blood test to rule that out, first.
Cat asthma is not curable, but you can treat her, under a vet's guidance. They usually will prescribe one of two drugs, or both. The first is a bronchodilator, to relax the muscles around the airways. This can give your cat immediate relief. The other drug used is a corticosteroid, which is an anti-inflammatory. Your vet may have you give your cat pills, but if she won't take them, you may want to have it given in injectable form, at the vet's office.
To give your cat a better chance to live without asthma attacks, you can remove as many of her triggers from your environment as you can. If you suspect cat litter may be the cause, use newspaper and then change her over to a different type. Some cats who have trouble with traditional or clumping clay litter do well with Feline Pine, which is pine pellets, or Yesterday's News ™, which are pellets of recycled newspaper. Both of these products are environmentally friendly, too.
You can also frequently change the filters in your furnace and air conditioner. Keep the cat away from smoke from the chimney or smokers. Minimize your use of perfumes, sprays and aerosols. Sometimes cold weather triggers asthma, so keep your cat indoors. With the right care, vigilance and medications, your cat can still live a long life with you.