Content
- Asthma in cats
- Asthma Symptoms in Cats
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma in Cats
- Hygienic-dietary measures for the treatment of asthma in cats
Cats are susceptible to various illnesses, although it is also true that felines are resistant and have an independent character, however, on numerous occasions they need special attention.
Some pathologies that can affect cats are also commonly observed in humans and it is important to know them to notice when something is not right in our body. pet.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we talk about Asthma symptoms and treatment in cats.
Asthma in cats
It is estimated that 1% of cats suffer severe respiratory problems, including asthma, which is characterized by an oppression of the bronchi, which are the respiratory ducts responsible for carrying air from the trachea to the lungs.
The oppression of the bronchi causes respiratory difficulty, which can have varying degrees of severity, even compromising the animal's breathing.
Asthma in cats is also known as allergic bronchitis, since it is the feline's immune system that overreacts to an allergen.
We can say that asthma is an example of allergy in cats that affects the respiratory system, because the reaction to the allergen manifests itself by inflaming the tissue that covers the bronchi and when the airways are narrowed, breathing difficulties or dyspnea are produced.
This allergic reaction that affects the cat's respiratory system can have several causes:
- Environmental contamination of the environment
- Exposure to tobacco smoke
- feline sand
- Mold and mites
- firewood smoke
- Cleaners, sprays and room flavors
Asthma Symptoms in Cats
A cat affected by asthma or allergic bronchitis will have the following symptoms:
- breathing difficulty
- fast breathing
- noisy breathing
- persistent cough
- wheezing when exhaling air
If we observe any of these symptoms in our cat, it is essential to go to the vet as soon as possible, since if asthma is not treated, symptoms tend to worsen..
Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma in Cats
To diagnose feline asthma, the veterinarian will rely mainly on clinical signs or symptoms, however, you should also have a blood and stool test to rule out that these symptoms are due to another disease.
Finally, a chest X-ray will be performed, although in the asthmatic cat this may be normal, usually the most visible bronchi are observed due to their pathological alterations.
The treatment of asthma in cats can vary depending on each case and severity, however, the following drugs are usually used, either alone or in combination:
- Corticosteroids: Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory that is used to quickly reduce the inflammation produced in the bronchi and facilitate the entry and exit of air from the lungs. It is a drug that can cause multiple side effects.
- Bronchodilators: Bronchodilators are drugs that act on the bronchi and allow their dilation, facilitating breathing.
This type of treatment can be done at home and it is important that the owner commits to administer it properly. Periodic visits to the veterinarian will be necessary to assess the cat's response to different drugs.
Hygienic-dietary measures for the treatment of asthma in cats
In addition to following the pharmacological treatment prescribed by the veterinarian, we recommend that you follow the advice shown below, this way you can improve the life quality of your cat:
- Use a good quality feline sand, which does not give off dust easily.
- If your cat in addition to asthma, is over 8 years old, pay attention to the care of an elderly cat to provide a good quality of life.
- Be very careful with the cleaning products you use. Find out about ecological products.
- Help the cat to cool off in the summer so it can breathe easily.
- Do not give your cat dairy products, they contain many antigens that interact with the immune system and can aggravate the allergic reaction.
- Use a natural complementary treatment that helps strengthen your cat's defenses. Homeopathy for cats is an excellent option.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.