What is it, what are the causes, symptoms and treatment

vet A wheezing or cat cough is sure to make any cat parent raise an eyebrow, and for a good reason. This change in breathing can signal a health concern, such as asthma in cats. Cat asthma is when a cat’s lungs become inflamed, usually due to an allergy to the environment. Like in humans, inflamed lungs cause the airways to constrict and produce excess mucus.

While only 1% -5% of cats receiving an official diagnosis of asthma, feline asthma may account for 60% of all lower respiratory tract illnesses in cats. For this reason, you should check with your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has asthma. There’s good news: Cat asthma is manageable, and there are plenty of do-it-yourself methods to prevent flare-ups. For severe cases, your veterinarian can provide prescription medication to help relieve your cat’s symptoms so they can live a long and happy life.

Symptoms of Asthma in Cats

Cats with mild to moderate asthma may have a cough for a time that is different from normal behavior. However, severe asthma attacks in cats are an emergency. If your cat is unable to breathe, breathes with its mouth open, or has blue lips and gums, take the cat to the vet immediately.

• Dry cough. This may look like your cat is trying to cough hairballsbut one will not appear.
• Difficulty breathing, especially when exhaling. “While shortness of breath is a hallmark of asthma, the big difference is that asthma patients have difficulty exhaling completely.” Gary RichterRover’s resident vet on The Dog People Panel said.
• Chronic cough. Between coughs during an asthma attack, your cat may trousers to get their breath back.
• Wheezing or crackling sounds. Asthma in cats can cause Abnormal sound in the lungsincluding wheezing and crackling noises.
• Vomiting. Your cat can vomiting with severe coughing and wheezing.
• Breathe fast. Asthmatic cats may have a faster respiratory rate than others, especially during sleep. Typical respiratory rate is 24 to 30 breaths per minute. If your cat’s respiratory rate is 40 breaths per minute or more, take them to the vet.
• Breathe through the mouth. Cats with asthma may experience shortness of breath, or panting. If your cat is breathing with its mouth open, they should see a veterinarian immediately.
• Blue(ish) lips and gums. Like mouth breathing, blue lips and gums indicate that your cat is not getting enough oxygen. If your cat has blue lips and gums, they need urgent medical attention.

Some conditions — like bronchitis or a heartworm infection — can trigger respiratory conditions like asthma.

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Causes and triggers of asthma in cats

Asthma is activated by inhaling particles cause lung irritation or allergic reactions. This response then causes inflammation, narrowing the airways, and recruiting more inflammatory cells to the lungs. The more this reaction occurs, the more likely it is that permanent structural changes will occur.

Risk factors for asthma in cats

Because asthma can be like other respiratory conditions, diagnosis can be difficult. Therefore, risk factors can help your veterinarian determine the likelihood of a diagnosis of asthma in cats. For example, cats of all breeds, ages, and genders can develop asthma, but it is most commonly reported in Siam and Himalayas cat-like. Studies show that the average age for the onset of symptoms is four to five years old. But cats show chronic signs (such as a cough that looks like hack hairball) that pet parents easily overlook, suggesting that asthma can affect cats at a younger age.

Diagnosing asthma in cats

To diagnose asthma, your veterinarian will take a clinical approach. In addition to a physical exam and history review, your veterinarian may perform one or more diagnostic evaluation:

• Chest X-ray (chest). These tests provide 2D images of the lungs and show mild to severe inflammation in the lobes of the lungs and airways that may indicate asthma in cats.
• Chest ultrasound or CT scan. Unlike a chest X-ray, a CT scan provides a more comprehensive 3D view of the entire lung and can show airway wall thickening and airway collapse in asthma. A CT scan can also differentiate between asthma and other conditions such as bronchitis.
• Blood tests. A thorough blood test, complete blood count, and urinalysis are often your veterinarian’s first method of testing to rule out any major organ disease. These tests are not significant for cats with asthma with no other health conditions.
• Allergy test. Allergy testing is an essential tool for veterinarians so they can rule out whether their cat’s respiratory symptoms are caused by allergens, especially respiratory allergens. respiratory (the most common cause of asthma in cats).
• Check for parasites in stool. Stool and heartworm parasite tests help rule out parasites that can mimic asthma symptoms.
• Bronchoscopyor use a small camera inside the airway. After your veterinarian administers general anesthesia to your cat, your veterinarian will insert a camera on a thin, flexible rod into the mouth, down the windpipe, and into the lower respiratory tract. If your cat has asthma, we usually see signs of redness, irritation, airway collapse, airway narrowing, and mucus buildup.
• Bronchoalveolar lavage and bacterial culture. This is usually done in conjunction with a bronchoscopy; Veterinarians flush a small amount of sterile saline into the airways and aspirate the fluid through a bronchoscope or through a catheter. In cats with asthma, veterinarians can see a high percentage of allergic immune cells (eosinophils) under the microscope in fluid samples from the airways. To determine if a bacterial infection is present, the sample is cultured.

Cat asthma and bronchitis

Asthma and bronchitis in cats have very similar symptoms and treatment, but they are very different conditions. “Bronchitis and asthma are closely related,” explains Dr. Richter. “Both are inflammation of the lungs.” The two conditions have similar symptoms, including coughing and shortness of breath. The difference between the two (although pet parents can’t see it) is that bronchitis affects the small airways of the lungs while asthma is an inflammation of the lung tissue.

In the later or more severe stages of chronic bronchitis, cats may experience permanent shortness of breath. This is because airline restructuring (similar to untreated cases of feline asthma). Final, Management of chronic bronchitis in cats focuses on suppressing inflammation with anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids, increasing the likelihood of preventing permanent remodeling. Like cats with asthma, medications that dilate the airways (bronchodilators) can help ease mild to severe cases.

Medical treatment for asthma in cats

If you have taken your cat to the hospital for an emergency due to asthma, the immediate treatment is oxygen from the vet. Once your cat is breathing easier, your veterinarian will discuss appropriate long-term care and management of your cat’s clinical findings and symptoms. Stress can be a trigger for an asthma attack in cats. So consider your cat’s comfort when discussing treatment options.

Common treatments for feline asthma include an inhaler with one of the following medications:

• Inhaled steroids. Asthma inhaler for cats is The most effective method for the control of asthma in cats. Equipped with a children’s mask, your cat will typically take seven to ten breaths from their inhaler twice daily or as directed by your veterinarian.
• Oral steroids. They are used alongside or in place of inhaled steroids. If inhalers are a must for your cat, oral steroids are hidden in the favorite snack can be for them.
• Bronchodilators. They are often prescribed as another cat inhaler to treat asthma, used in emergencies or sudden flare-ups. Bronchodilators can also be given by injection or by mouth. However, bronchodilators only widen the airways and do not treat and prevent inflammation, and should not be used as a standalone treatment.

iStock / Konstantin Aksenov

Natural remedies for asthma in cats

Regardless of the severity of the cat’s asthma, reducing the triggers will help reduce the pain. Some lifestyle and environmental things you can do include:

• Minimize exposure of cats to Allergens and irritating chemicals when keeping items, such as cleaning products, out of the cat’s common areas. If possible, replace your home’s air filter based on the manufacturer’s schedule.
• Change the brand of cat litter less dusty garbage for the cat litter box.
• Wipe the cat clean after each time Outdoor adventure to reduce pollen.
• Work with your veterinarian to adjust your cat’s diet if they need to lose weight.

If your veterinarian does allergy testing on your cat, they can provide more specific triggers to avoid.

Also, another natural method to treat asthma in cats is acupuncture for cats. Based on India Trail Animal Hospital, “Cat acupuncture reduces inflammation by stimulating nerve centers” – a practice that can reduce pneumonia. This treatment should be done in conjunction with a veterinarian-recommended medication and not as a substitute.

Finally, dietary changes can help your asthmatic kitten. Select one Omega-3 rich diet Promotes the health of your cat’s skin and coat and is Proven to reduce inflammation due to allergies. If your cat is overweight, talk to your vet about the best foods for weight loss (or check out our recommended options). here).

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Asthma in cats versus asthma in humans

“Any asthmatic will tell you that it is difficult to fully exhale [when they have an asthma attack],” said Dr. Richter. The experience is similar for cats but not the only breed.

In fact, the same irritants cause asthma in cats and people, are plagued by the same underlying conditions, and even diagnosed using the same techniques. The children’s inhaler has even been used as a model for a cat asthma inhaler.

Take it

If you think your cat has asthma, talk to your vet. Unfortunately, yes There is no cure for asthma, but getting through flares and reducing triggers can make cats more comfortable and prevent permanent damage to their lungs. That’s why working with a trusted veterinary respiratory specialist is key to getting your cat’s asthma under control. Managing feline asthma, especially reducing triggers, identifying allergens that may be causing asthma, and having a treatment plan, is a lifelong commitment, but fortunately, Cats with asthma can live a happy and fulfilling life with medication, such as bronchodilators and cat inhalers, and proper care.