Feline asthma is a common ailment among cats, affecting about 1% of adult cats around the world. It is a chronic respiratory disease brought on by an allergic reaction. It tends to be progressive and while there is no cure, affected cats can be treated to improve their quality of life even after diagnosis.
Cat asthma is also known as allergic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Symptoms
Cats with feline asthma will exhibit certain symptoms such as wheezing and coughing. They will also have a difficulty breathing normally and thus try to inhale with their mouths open. Owners of asthmatic cats may also hear a gurgling sound in the throat which is more obvious when the pets purr.
A feline asthma attack can be mild, lasting only a few minutes but it can also be severe. In severe episodes, the cat will squat, extend its neck, hunch its shoulders, cough hard and gag. It will usually produce a whitish, foamy mucus. Coughing during an asthma attack will appear as if the cat is trying to pass a hairball, except that nothing comes out aside from the mucus.
Diagnosis
The veterinarian will perform several physical tests to rule out possible diseases and causes, such as heart disease, lung cancer, upper or lower respiratory infection, lungworm or a heartworm infestation. The vet will also determine the severity of feline asthma based on the types of symptoms the cat exhibits.
Cat asthma can also be confirmed through a chest x-ray, blood tests and a BAL or bronchoalveolar lavage, wherein a mucus sample is taken from the cat to determine if there is an abnormal increase in eosinophils, which is one of the types of white blood cells that a cat’s body produces in response to a disease or infection.
Treatment
As mentioned earlier, feline asthma is incurable but it can be managed through the use of medications and treatments. After diagnosis, there are several treatment options that owners can discuss with their veterinarian, such as:
Medications
Most cases of cat asthma are treated with medications that may include steroids and bronchodilators. These may come in the form of a pill or an inhaler. Some medications may also come in the form of an injection or transdermal gel.
Oxygen therapy
Asthmatic cats may need assistance in breathing, in which case an extra supply of oxygen can help. Air can be fed to the cat through a hose which can be held close to its nose or inserted into its mouth so oxygen can enter the cat’s throat. The cat may also be kept in a covered cage and the oxygen fed through a small hole.
Keeping the environment clean
There are also certain steps that can be done to manage feline asthma indirectly. Cats with feline asthma are sensitive to common allergens such as dust, dust mites, molds, mildew and pollen. Regular cleanup must be done to prevent triggering an attack on the pet. Certain chemicals used in the house can also aggravate feline asthma. Chemical sprays, insecticides, air fresheners and even scented items such as potpourris and oil lamps should be be avoided since any of these could cause stress on the cat’s respiratory system.
At-home care
Once a pet has been diagnosed with feline asthma, it is important for the owner to provide constant and immediate care. Asthma can be managed and with enough support, affected cats can continue to live long, relatively healthy lives.
