Feline asthma is a common allergic respiratory disease in cats, affecting at least one percent of all adult cats worldwide. It is a chronic progressive disease for which there is no cure. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, labored breathing and potentially life-threatening bronchoconstriction. There is conjecture that the disease is becoming more common due to increased exposure to industrial pollutants.
Owners often notice their cat cou...
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Feline asthma is a common allergic respiratory disease in cats, affecting at least one percent of all adult cats worldwide. It is a chronic progressive disease for which there is no cure. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, labored breathing and potentially life-threatening bronchoconstriction. There is conjecture that the disease is becoming more common due to increased exposure to industrial pollutants.
Owners often notice their cat coughing several times per day. Cat coughing sounds different from human coughing; more like the cat is passing a hairball. Veterinarians will classify the severity of the systems. They will rule out other diseases including heartworm, lungworm and heart disease. Symptoms, pulmonary radiographs, and a positive response to steroids help confirm the diagnosis.
Although feline asthma is incurable, ongoing treatments allow many domestic cats to live normal lives. Feline asthma is commonly managed through use of bronchodilators for mild cases, or...
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