Common Respiratory Diseases in Cats: Symptoms and Treatments, Pay Attention in Winter!

Common Respiratory Diseases in Cats: Symptoms and Treatments, Pay Attention in Winter!

The respiratory system of cats includes the nose, pharynx, trachea, lungs, and diaphragm. For cats, the most important function is to provide oxygen and expel carbon dioxide from the body. The normal respiratory rate of a cat is 30-40 breaths per minute. If you notice that your cat is breathing with its mouth open or its abdomen is moving up and down faster than usual, you should immediately pay attention.

1. Cat Cold

One of the most common diseases is the common cold. It is usually caused by feline herpesvirus or feline calicivirus. Cats will sneeze, cough, tear or have a fever. Cat colds are very contagious, especially in multi-cat households. If one cat has a cold, it must be isolated from other cats. Treatment of colds usually involves giving the cat antibiotics (such as azithromycin) and treating the cat with antiviral eye drops. Cats' appetite will decrease during illness, and owners must feed the cat promptly to ensure adequate energy intake.

2. Cat Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis refers to inflammation of the cat's throat. The cat will have a cough, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and increased salivation. The causes of this disease may include inhalation of toxic gases, accidental ingestion leading to throat injury, or a concomitant disease, such as rhinitis or stomatitis. Identify the cause (pharyngitis is usually a concomitant disease) and treat it symptomatically. You can use a nebulizer to inhale medications. Second, ensure that the cat's living environment is free of harmful food or other items for the cat.

3. Cat Pneumonia

Pneumonia is also a common disease, caused by bacteria or viruses, leading to inflammation of the internal tissue of the cat's lungs. In severe cases, it can be complicated by pleurisy, hypoxemia, and other complications. Cats will become tired, have no desire to exercise, have a cough with a lot of phlegm and mucus, and have a decreased appetite. Take the cat to the hospital in time to find the cause of the cat's illness and cooperate with the veterinarian for treatment.

4. Cat Asthma

Feline asthma refers to a disease characterized by sudden coughing and expiratory dyspnea, an allergic reaction to allergens in the environment. There are many allergens, such as perfumes, fleas, dust, and pollen. It is common between the ages of 2 and 8 in cats. If a cat develops asthma before the age of 3, it is likely to develop into a severe case. Sudden coughing, dyspnea, accompanied by wheezing, stretching the neck forward, etc., are all possible symptoms that may occur when a cat is ill.

For cats with dyspnea, oxygen therapy is generally given to relieve the cat's respiratory symptoms. Corticosteroids and bronchodilators are used to relieve the inflammation that occurs in cats. Inhaled corticosteroids can also be used instead, which are more convenient and effectively reduce side effects.

5. Cat Pleural Effusion (Thoracic Fluid)

Pleural effusion (thoracic fluid) refers to the accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity due to various diseases, which compresses the lungs, leading to dyspnea in cats. There are many causes of pleural effusion: feline coronavirus infection, malignant tumors, chronic liver disease, etc. Cats with pleural effusion will breathe rapidly and with their mouths open, will have a fever, will be dehydrated, and may even sit up to breathe. At this point, owners should carefully observe the cat's abdomen for any obvious indentation.

Oxygen therapy can still be used to relieve the cat's dyspnea. By performing a thoracocentesis to remove most of the fluid in the cat's chest cavity, the cat's dyspnea can also be relieved.

6. Cat Bronchitis

The airway that takes in air, resulting in inflammation of the trachea. The trachea is an organ that connects the throat to the lungs, and its soft cartilage is U-shaped except for the dorsal side. When inflamed, the trachea swells, the diameter of the tube narrows, and gas exchange becomes impaired. Cats with this disease will have coughing and vomiting, lameness, loss of appetite, and listlessness. In severe cases, the cat may faint. The causes of this disease may include viral or bacterial infection, internal parasites (such as roundworms), accidental ingestion or drinking, and inhalation of irritating odors.

If bronchitis is caused by a concomitant disease, it can be alleviated by curing the underlying disease. Secondly, it can be alleviated by oxygen inhalation and bronchodilators. In addition, it is important to improve the cat's living environment and prevent the cat from coming into contact with harmful food or gases.

7. Cat Emphysema

Feline emphysema is a condition where the cat's alveoli are abnormally dilated and ruptured. Normal alveoli have a certain degree of elasticity, and they will return to their original state after expansion. However, the alveoli of emphysema lose their elasticity and are unable to cycle inhalation or exhalation of gas. The cat's breathing becomes difficult, it starts to drool, it does not like to move around, and there is air accumulating in the cat's chest and under the neck. When there are too many bugs on the dog, a special comb can be used to comb out the bugs hiding in the dog's fur. When the cat's bronchi are abnormal, the alveoli inside may be affected. The cat's rapid breathing may also put pressure on the alveoli. Inhalation of chronic toxic substances can also cause the cat's alveoli to become abnormal.

Summary

The above are some of the respiratory diseases in cats. It is hoped that all owners can understand the various diseases, timely and correctly judge the cat's condition, and take the cat to the hospital for examination and treatment. In the cold winter, cats are more prone to respiratory diseases. Owners must pay attention to the cat's respiratory status, find problems in time, take measures, and let the cat spend the winter healthily and happily.

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