Cat Asthma Symptoms and Treatment: Can Cat Asthma Heal Itself?

Cat Asthma Symptoms and Treatment: Can Cat Asthma Heal Itself?

Cat asthma is a common respiratory disease that is often associated with bronchitis. Technically speaking, asthma is caused by acute or chronic inflammation of the airways, which is associated with a variety of physiological effects, including:

Increased reactivity to various noxious odor stimuli
Airway narrowing and airway constriction
The presence of reversible airway inflammatory cells

Feline bronchitis is described as coughing or wheezing caused by inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. Asthma and bronchitis are often considered two parts of the same syndrome, which can also be called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Causes of Cat Asthma and Bronchitis

If a cat's airways are sensitive to certain irritants, exposure to these odors can cause an inflammatory response, leading to bronchospasm, increased mucus production, and mucus accumulation in the airways. Failure to clear mucobronchitis can lead to airway obstruction and may make the cat more susceptible to respiratory infections. Chronic airway obstruction can trap air in the tiny lung passages called alveoli, leading to hyperinflation and lung damage.

Symptoms of Cat Asthma and Bronchitis

Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of cat asthma and bronchitis because coughing is relatively rare in cats! Coughing and respiratory distress, including difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and open-mouth breathing, are common signs of cat asthma and bronchitis.

Cats with asthma may also exhibit the following symptoms:

Rapid breathing
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing
Decreased activity
Decreased appetite
Weight loss
Lethargy

Which cats are more likely to develop asthma?

Asthma and bronchitis are most common in cats aged 2 to 8 years, while Siamese cats appear to be at higher risk of developing this syndrome. Overweight and obese cats are also at greater risk of developing chronic respiratory diseases.

What causes cat asthma and bronchitis?

The true cause of the inflammation associated with feline asthma and bronchitis remains unclear. External factors are likely to be the cause of inflammation and signs of asthma and bronchitis. These external factors may include:

Dust from cat litter
Cigarette smoke
Perfume
Hairspray
Carpet cleaners
Air fresheners
Scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners
Mold
Essential oil diffusers

How to diagnose cat asthma?

Diagnosing feline asthma and bronchitis requires ruling out other diseases that can cause respiratory symptoms.

These diseases include:

Infectious pneumonia (fungal, bacterial, parasitic)
Feline heartworm (cats are hosts for canine heartworm)
Primary pulmonary parasites
Cancer

Diagnostic tests will include:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Blood chemistry
Fecal examination
Urinalysis

These tests will assess the cat's overall health and may provide clues to potential causes. One type of white blood cell, eosinophils, is often associated with allergic events or parasitic diseases, and its presence is helpful in the initial diagnosis of asthma. Some affected cats also have elevated blood proteins. In some cases, fecal samples will be specifically tested for evidence of pneumothorax.

Other diagnostic tests may include:

Heartworm test: This is a blood test that should be performed on any cat that coughs. This is usually done in conjunction with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) tests. These tests help determine the cat's overall health status.
Thoracic radiography (chest X-ray): Certain characteristic changes can be seen on chest X-rays of the lungs of cats with asthma and bronchitis. Radiography helps rule out other lung and heart diseases. For example, feline heartworm and lungworm disease can produce specific suggestive lesions that can be seen on X-rays.
Bronchoscopy with cytology and culture: Bronchoscopy is a procedure typically performed by a specialist that allows the veterinarian to examine the airways of an anesthetized cat with a small fiber optic scope. Samples of the mucosa and bronchial lining cells can be obtained for examination under a microscope and culture.
Tracheal lavage: Typically, the pet is anesthetized and a thin, flexible, sterile catheter is inserted into the area to be examined. A small amount of sterile fluid is forcibly flushed into the area and then rapidly aspirated. The aspirated fluid contains mucus and a few cells that can be cultured and examined under a microscope.

In most cases, despite a comprehensive and thorough diagnosis, it is impossible to determine a single underlying cause. However, this does not prevent cats from achieving a reasonable quality of life through medical management.

How to treat cat asthma?

Once the symptoms are determined not to be caused by other diseases, asthma and bronchitis can be treated. Most cats with asthma and bronchitis will be managed individually. If the cat has severe respiratory distress, it may require hospitalization for oxygen therapy and intravenous medication to stabilize the condition.

Successful treatment of feline asthma and bronchitis usually involves a combination of the following:

Avoid external stimuli: Avoid any external triggers that will exacerbate the cat's respiratory problems. This means trying different brands of cat litter, eliminating cigarette smoke from the home, minimizing dust accumulation, using air purifiers, etc. Monitor closely for environmental factors that may exacerbate the condition.
Normalize physical condition: Overweight or obesity can cause systemic inflammation in cats, asthma and bronchitis, and increase the workload of the heart and lungs.
Bronchodilators: Bronchodilators are used to open the airways, allowing the cat to breathe air into the lungs more freely. They are usually given by inhalation, such as albuterol. For this method to be effective, they must be used consistently as directed by the veterinarian.
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids have effective anti-inflammatory effects that can relieve respiratory distress in cats with asthma and bronchitis. Cats may receive long-term injections of corticosteroids, which can relieve symptoms for weeks to months. More commonly, cats may be prescribed short-term oral corticosteroids (prednisolone) and inhaled corticosteroids in an attempt to limit the effects of corticosteroids on the lungs and minimize side effects. There are fluticasone and the bronchodilator salmeterol in the same inhaler.
Hypoallergenic nutrients: Veterinarians can help you determine if your cat's asthma control would benefit from a hypoallergenic diet. Long-term diets can affect cats with asthma and bronchitis, but may reduce their reliance on medication.
Medical acupuncture: Neuromodulation through medical acupuncture may be a technique that can provide some relief for cats with asthma and bronchitis. In cats that respond to drug acupuncture, it may reduce the need for medication to control symptoms.

Can cat asthma and bronchitis be cured completely?

We consider the treatment of this disease syndrome simply as a treatment because it is rarely cured. Cats with asthma and bronchitis rarely fully recover. Treatment aims to reduce the severity and frequency of attacks and improve overall quality of life. Most cats with feline asthma and bronchitis can also live fulfilling and happy lives.

Conclusion

Feline asthma is a common disease, but symptoms can be controlled and cat's quality of life can be improved with effective treatment and management. Regular checkups, early diagnosis, avoidance of environmental stimuli, and active treatment are key to managing feline asthma. If your cat experiences coughing or other respiratory symptoms, please consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

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