Bronchial Asthma in Cats
The symptoms range from random, intermittent, or in the worst case scenario, chronic.



Chronic bronchial asthma in cats is usually found in certain breeds such as Siamese or Himalayan, as well as other Asian short haired breeds.

The symptoms of this condition are coughing, wheezing, and in some cases, dyspnea.

This is shortness of breath, and in the severest of cases, difficulty in breathing, which can be extremely dangerous for your cat.

WHAT IS BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN CATS ?

Dyspnea, in medical terms, is a shortness of breath that is not caused by excessive exertion, but rather is often linked to the respiratory tract.

The symptoms of this condition may be random or occasional, intermittent to quite frequent, or very persistent.

Cats that demonstrate these symptoms are generally diagnosed as having either chronic bronchitis or what is referred to a feline asthma.

However, most experts will agree that it is very difficult to distinguish the two from each other.

Cats blue eyesSevere cases can be life threatening

THE SYMPTOMS CAN BE LIFE THREATENING

What is agreed upon, is that both symptoms can, if not properly treated, become life threatening.

The reason is simple, it affects their breathing and lung capacity.

Again these episodes can be quite frequent or may be separated by several months of actual attacks.

Actual true forms of asthma are often characterized by hyper-activity in the airways and are accompanied by a reversible broncho-constriction.

Chronic bronchitis is where the symptoms are characterized by excessive mucus and inflammation of the airway.

This can in some cases, lead to an irreversible narrowing of the air passages.

The exact cause is not fully known, but a lot of experts agree it is most probably a type of allergic reaction.

In cats, it could be the result of inhaling dust from the cat-box litter.

Bronchial asthma in cats will affect your feline in different ways, but a large number will display both the signs of obstruction of the air passages as well as chronic coughing.

this coughing will range from quite mild, to the other extreme, where it can be very severe.

There is no real sex differential of this condition in cats as it affects both male and females.

However, although it is most prevalent in young to middle aged cats, it can also be found in kittens and can also suddenly develop in elderly adult cats as well.

By far and away the best methodology of a proper diagnosis is a detailed examination by your veterinarian.

TREATMENTS THAT CAN HELP

Treatment of bronchial asthma in cats will vary. Mild bronchial asthma can easily be treated at your home.

If they are very mild and quite infrequent spells, they may not need to be treated at all.

Severe cases of bronchial asthma in cats may require immediate treatment by your veterinarian.

If attacks of bronchial do occur in your feline companion, it is very important to try to relate to what your pet may have recently been in contact with.

As suggested, some experts believe that this is an allergy type of disease and it will be extremely important to try to narrow down the source and pass that information along to your veterinarian.

Summary

Medications will typically include steroids such as Prednisolone, Cyproheptadine, Bronchial dilators, and antibiotics.

Pediatric inhalers (used by infants with asthma), have also been used for mild forms as treatment.

The most important treatment, however, will still be in trying to find the common source and than avoiding it.

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