Maybe Your Cat Has Feline Asthma

Feline asthma, also referred to as chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and allergic bronchitis is a common feline ailment.  It is usually caused by inhaled allergens that lead to the clinical symptoms of feline asthma.

How do you determine what your cat has inhaled to cause the symptoms?

According to most vets, it is virtually impossible to determine exactly which allergens caused your cat to come down with feline asthma symptoms.  Some common culprits include:

·         Grass

·         Tree pollens

·         Cigarette smoke

·         Fireplace smoke

·         Various sprays such as hair sprays, deodorants, flea sprays, deodorizers

·         Dust from cat litter

My cat is still a kitten, can kittens have feline asthma?

In fact, feline asthma can occur in cats of all ages and is found in all areas of the world.  There is no safe place to hide from the ailment with your kitten or cat.  It is estimated about 1% of the general cat population has at some time or another experienced feline asthma.

What are the symptoms?  Common symptoms include:

·         Wheezing

·         Coughing (a dry, hacking cough that might be confused with gagging or retching)

Many cats are diagnosed as having hairballs, when in fact, it is feline asthma.

In very severe cases, cat may:

·         Have daily coughing and wheezing

·         Many bouts of airway constriction, leading to open-mouth breathing and panting that can be life threatening

In mild cases, cat may:

·         Cough and wheeze only occasionally

A few cats with feline asthma are asymptomatic in between acute and severe bouts of airway constriction.

How can a cat owner know whether or not their cat has feline asthma?

A vet can perform chest x-rays, a complete blood count, a feline heartworm test, and a technique to sample cells from the lower airways.

Feline asthma is a chronic progressive disease that cannot be fully cured.  Medications will help reduce the symptoms, but may not be able to eliminate coughing completely.

One of the most effective therapies for feline asthma is to use inhalers such as human asthmatics use.  There is a mask and spacer system that enables cats to use inhalers or puffers.  The system is similar to the mask and spacer system used to treat babies and small children.

Treatments: 

If your cat has been diagnosed with feline asthma, ask your vet about the AeroKat system for cats.  The most important type of drug is a corticosteroid to reduce the chronic inflammation.  Commonly prescribed is corticosteroid inhaler Flovent.  Another medication type is called a bronchodilator that helps open the airway at times of severe coughing or wheezing.  A common bronchodilator inhaler used for humans and cats is Apo-Salvent.  Some cats may even be given oral medication usually a corticosteroid like prednisone.  Oral therapy may be less expensive; however, inhaler therapy can probably do a better job.  Be sure to notify your vet if there is any change in your cat’s condition while on asthma medication.

Other things you can do to help your cat are:

• Avoid smoke from fireplaces and cigarettes
• Reduce the use of air fresheners and other household sprays
• Use human grooming products that are in spray form, such as hair sprays or deodorants, far away from the affected cat
• Change to a low-dust clay cat litter or one made of an alternate material
• Air purifiers might be helpful
• Avoid taking the cat outside in cold weather
• Obese cats will probably benefit from losing weight

Disclaimer:  The information in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any kind of health problem in your cat.  You should always consult with a trusted veterinarian for all health problems.

Source:  The Winn Feline Foundation Online