SIGNS OF ASTHMA IN A CAT

Feline asthma is a respiratory disease that affects the airways of a cat’s lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. Approximately 5% of the cat population suffers from this chronic condition. Although not treatable, it can be managed with the right diagnosis and treatment. If your cats have asthma or you are worried that they might, read the following to know more about this chronic condition.

WHAT IS ASTHMA IN A CAT?

Asthma in a cat is a respiratory illness that triggers an immune response, causing inflammation in the airway cells. When a cat inhales airborne contamination, its immune system develops specific antibodies to fight off the contamination. If this cat is exposed to the same allergens again, these antibodies will recognise them and drive different types of immune cells into the airways. In the process of attacking the contamination, these immune cells produce substances that cause irritation and inflammation. The triggered inflammatory cells can proliferate within the cat’s airways, which can then lead to asthma attacks.

FELINE ASTHMA SYMPTOMS

To identify cat asthma, you must look out for feline asthma symptoms. While most cats may show feline asthma symptoms throughout the year, a few may only suffer during certain months of the year. Symptoms of asthma in cats can be divided into three phases – acute, chronic, and intermittent. Mentioned below are some of the most common symptoms observed in cats that have asthma.

• WHEEZING:

  Wheezing is one of the first signs of feline asthma. You might observe cats that have asthma breathe through their mouth, wheeze, or cough frequently. Asthma attacks can trigger respiratory difficulties which result in a wheezing sound while breathing or coughing.

• COUGHING:

  Cat asthma attacks can often be identified through symptoms like coughing and hacking. Your cat may appear like it is coughing up a hairball but might struggle to stop. You may also notice an asthmatic cat trying to hold their neck out and straight, keeping their head close to the ground while coughing.

• RAPID BREATHING:

   Cat parents need to be vigilant of their cat’s shortness of breath and rapid breathing. A cat’s normal resting rate is 24 to 30 breaths per minute. If you notice your cat, taking more than 40 breaths per minute, then your fur baby might be breathing rapidly. Asthma can be one of the causes for your cat to breathe rapidly.

• BREATHING DIFFICULTY:

  Cat asthma attacks can trigger breathing difficulty. The inflammation in the respiratory tract, makes it difficult for cats to breathe normally.

• VOMITING:

  If cats have asthma, they might vomit because of the distress and breathing difficulty caused by the inflammation.

• WEAKNESS AND LETHARGY:

  Feline asthma causes symptoms like chronic cough, vomiting, and breathing issues. Cats that have asthma use most of their energy trying to fight off these symptoms. Therefore, asthmatic cats may appear weaker and lethargic.

CAUSES OF ASTHMA IN CATS

Now, let us look at the various allergens and airborne contaminations that may cause asthma in cats:

• Dust mites
• Moulds
• Pollens
• Grass
• Tobacco smoke
• Chemicals in cleaning products
• Certain foods
• Dust from cat litter

WHAT TO DO DURING A CAT ASTHMA ATTACK?

Climate change and change in environment can trigger attacks in cats that have asthma. If your cat is asthmatic, you must know how to care for it during such times. Understanding the type of asthma attack your cat is having will help you identify the right care. For example, a minor asthma attack can show itself in the form of uncontrollable coughing, whereas a more serious attack might cause breathing difficulty. Given below are a few ways to calm your cat amidst an asthma attack:

• Stay calm and give medicine: It is important for you to stay calm and not panic while helping a cat during an asthma attack. Make your cat feel comfortable and feed the prescribed medication to ease off the attack. Your cat should feel better soon after taking the medicine.
• Fresh air: Ample amount of fresh and clean air is a necessity for asthmatic cats. So, ensure that your cat is not trapped indoors for longer hours. Even if indoors, make sure the house has good ventilation and a constant flow of fresh air.

It is also important to de-stress and comfort your cat to avoid making the attack worse. However, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately if the attack does not subside even after giving its prescribed medicines.

WAYS TO PREVENT ASTHMA ATTACKS IN CATS

Even though feline asthma cannot be cured, you can always prevent the frequency of the attacks by taking the right precautions. One of the easiest and the best ways to prevent cat asthma attacks is to regularly give the prescribed medication. You must also use a low-dust cat litter to err on the side of caution. Here are a few things you must avoid to prevent feline asthma attacks:

• Aerosol cleaners
• Chemical deodorisers
• Strong-scented household chemical cleaners
• Smoking and lighting fireplaces or candles around the cat

Prevention is always better than cure, so it is best to be a little patient and extra mindful when caring for a cat with asthma. If your cat is suffering from an asthma attack, it is recommended to immediately administer its prescribed medicine or seek medical attention depending on the severity of the attack.