Have you ever suffered from an asthma attack? Or shortness of breath during a panic attack? It is scary when your brain does not receive enough oxygen, and your vision becomes blurred. Many people do not know that cats can get asthma too, and it is just as scary and unpleasant for them as it is for us.
Dr. Corcorran says in his research paper on Feline Asthma Syndrome that “Feline asthma syndrome (FAS) is a clinical condition characterised by recurrent bouts of coughing, wheezing and, or, dyspnoea.”
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What Does Cat Asthma Sound Like
There is debate among specialists about the exact cause of feline asthma, but the general agreement is that it is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen that has been inhaled or other allergens, such as cigarette smoke. These particles then stimulate a cat’s upper respiratory tract. Symptoms to look out for are wheezing, rapid breathing, open mouth breathing, coughing, hacking noise or frequent vomiting. This can lead to lung collapse if left untreated.
It is so important to have a pet camera in your home for when you are away for hours at a time so that you can monitor your feline friend and see if they are suffering from any of the above symptoms.
Dr. Reinero’s research says: “Cats with asthma can present with a cough, wheeze, or episodic respiratory distress (with increased effort on exhalation). Exercise intolerance, especially in younger or more active cats, may also be noted. Diagnosis of asthma is made using a combination of signalment, history, clinical signs, thoracic radiography, exclusion of respiratory parasites, BALF cytology demonstrating airway eosinophilia, and response to empiric therapy with bronchodilators and glucocorticoids.”
Best Litter for Cats with Asthma
As feline asthma can be caused by inhaled particles it is very important to choose a cat litter that is labelled as dust free to minimise the release of particles that can trigger your cat’s asthma. There are certain cat litters that have been designed specifically for cats suffering from asthma, such as Dr. Elsey’s Respiratory Relief Cat Litter.
“Feline asthma is a common lower airway inflammatory disease of cats caused by aeroallergens. Coughing is a common, but nonspecific, clinical sign. Airway remodelling and episodic bronchoconstriction causes respiratory distress in affected cats, which may be fatal.” (Kettner, F. (2017). Feline Asthma. In Chronic Disease Management for Small Animals (eds W.D. Gram, R.J. Milner and R. Lobetti)
Cat Asthma Medication
There is unfortunately no specific test that can determine if your cat has asthma or not. Your veterinarian will rely on information provided by you (health history) and tests, such as cytology and radiographic imaging, and in some cases, allergy testing and blood work. Radiographs alone are pricey as multiple views of the lungs will need to be taken to get a clear picture of the condition of your cat’s lungs. It is important to invest in Petcube Emergency Fund so that your treatment options are not limited due to finances.
If your cat is diagnosed with feline asthma, he will be treated with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation that is present in the lungs. A bronchodilator may be prescribed to assist with dilating the airways.
Dr Reinero from the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri mentions in her study on feline asthma that: “The standard of therapy in practice includes three major recommendations for cats: environmental modulation, bronchodilators, and glucocorticoids.”
Conclusion
There is unfortunately no cure for feline asthma, but it can be managed with good care. Owners can help their cats live happily for many years after a diagnosis.
Dr. Padrid’s research paper on Feline Asthma says “Although the clinical signs of asthma may seem straightforward, the classification of the disease has not been as clear.”