Have you ever noticed your cat struggling to breathe and wondered if it might be more than just a hairball?
It’s possible that your cat may have feline asthma.
Sounds scary? It can be. I know I was pretty upset when my cat Daisy was diagnosed with asthma. I was worried that her quality of life would become greatly affected. I discovered that with the right treatment she was still able to lead a normal life.
Concerned that your cat might have asthma? Continue reading to learn more about this condition and what you can do to help relieve your cat’s symptoms today:
What is Feline Asthma?
Feline asthma is much the same as human asthma, it’s a disease of the lower airways of the lungs that makes it hard for the sufferer to catch their breath. This condition is commonly believed to be caused by an allergic reaction to an inhaled allergen.
When a cat breathes in an allergen, their immune system creates antibodies to target it. When exposed again to that particular allergen, those new antibodies will go to work to expel the allergen from their system. During this process, their airways may become constricted causing them to have difficulty catching their breath.
What are the Symptoms of Feline Asthma?
The first and most common symptom of feline asthma is labored breathing. Breathing fast, panting, coughing, or wheezing may indicate that a cat is having difficulty catching their breath.
Yes, often a cat may appear to have a coughing fit when really they are simply ‘hacking up’ a hairball. But the difference is that their abdomen also moves as they proceed to ‘throw up’ that hairball.
During an asthma attack there’s little to no abdominal movement and no hairball.
Here are some other common symptoms associated with Feline Asthma:
- Fast breathing
- Open mouth breathing
- Wheezing
- Coughing (sometimes accompanied by frothy mucus)
- Gagging
- Swallowing frequently
- Body hunched down with extended neck
- Weak
- Blue or purple lips and gums
What are Some of the Causes or Triggers of Feline Asthma?
Feline asthma, like human asthma, is the result of breathing in an allergen. Cleaning products, candles, scents, smoke, dust, mold, pollen, food additives, and even cat litter can cause Feline Asthma.
These harmful odors can cause reactions such as watery eyes, runny nose, drooling, vomiting and breathing issues.
How is Feline Asthma Diagnosed and Treated?
Sounds scary, doesn’t it? So how do you find out for certain that it is Feline Asthma? And then, how do you treat it once you do have a diagnosis?
Well, first of all, if you see your cat struggling to breathe you should immediately get them outside or into another room where they can breathe in fresh air. If their symptoms do not subside after a few minutes they may need emergency veterinary treatment.
Take your cat immediately to their vet if you notice that their gums are purplish, they are breathing with their mouth open, and visibly taking more than 40 breaths per minute. These may be life threatening symptoms!
Your cat’s veterinarian will administer oxygen until your cat is able to breathe on their own. They may also prescribe a corticosteroid to help reduce the inflammation in your cat’s lungs.
To help prevent asthma attacks, or at least to help reduce them, it’s important to pay attention to environmental hazards inside your home. Many seemingly harmless odors can cause an asthma attack. Here are a few steps that you can take today to help protect your fur baby:
- Do not smoke inside your home
- Use an air purifier
- Reduce or eliminate any strong scents (essential oils, candles, sprays, perfumes, dryer sheets, etc.)
- Dust regularly
- Use a low dust litter and clean the litter box regularly
- Clean your cat’s bedding frequently with scent free laundry detergent
Feline Asthma is a serious condition but with careful monitoring and consistent care your cat can live a happy life.
