Feline Asthma

Posted by TheCatZine on 22 June, 2008

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This item was filled under [ Cat Health ]

What is Feline Asthma?
Similar to what human asthma, feline asthma is an allerge-caused upper respiratory condition, which causes problem with breathing. It is also called bronchitis or feline bronchial disease. victims of asthma will know exactly what an asthma attach feels like. Feline asthma may sometimes be discounted as just another hairball attack, or possibly choking on a bit of food. Cat will cough for awhile, the concerned caregiver will comfort him, then he will appear to be fine. To avoid asthma, these need to be checked out by a veterinarian.

What allergens are more likely to trigger an asthma attack in cats?
Below are many of the same allergens responsible for human asthma attacks:

Smoke
Mildew or Mold
Household Chemicals
Dust
Pollens
Cat Litter
Cold, Moist Air

Cats with asthma are also subject to oversize-related attacks, and stress can either cause or exacerbate a feline asthma attack. If this happen to your cat, you should always try to remain as calm as possible when suffers from attack occur. Because you can “telegraph” your stress to your cat.

How to recognize an asthma attack in my cat?
Early symptoms may be difficult to detect. You may hear a faint wheezing. Your cat may seem to tire easily. Labored breathing may proceed a serious attack. A full-blown asthma attack may at first resemble a cat trying to cough up a hairball, or possibly choking on food. However, the body posture is somewhat different. With asthma, the cat’s body will be hunched lower to the ground and his neck and head will be extended out and down in an effort to clear the airway of mucous. The “gagging” may also be accompanied by a typical coughing sound, and possibly sneezing.

These serious attacks may not happen frequently, which makes it easy to write them off as “just a hairball.” Actually, they can be life-threatening, and a cat in a full-blown attack should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. Even a cat showing one or two of the early symptoms should be examined. Once diagnosed, there are things you can do to help your cat during one of these attacks.

How does the veterinarian diagnose feline asthma?

Blood Test
Chest X-ray
Bronchoalveolar Lavage - is performed by inserting an endotracheal tube into the trachea under general anasthesia, then fluids present in the airways of the lungs are extracted through this tube for examination.