Feline bronchial disease can leave your cat with shortness of breath, just like asthma in humans. In this condition, a cat’s bronchi (major respiratory passages) will be inflamed, causing obstruction to airflow, fluid accumulation, and thickening of the mucous glands along the airways.
In short, it can slowly deteriorate your cat’s respiratory system and hamper its quality of life. Early medical intervention can help check the progress of the disease and lower the suffering for your munchkin. Seek your vet’s advice and follow the course of treatment as recommended by them. At the same time, consider being prepared with pet insurance so unanticipated vet costs need not be financially overwhelming.
Cat insurance covers a furball for accidents, injuries, specific illnesses, dental, medical emergencies, and much more. Contemplate purchasing a policy early because pet insurers don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions. Meanwhile, read this article to learn the basics of feline asthma.
Causes
Allergies are the main reason for inflammation in a cat’s breathing apparatus. For instance, some common triggers of this respiratory issue are food allergies, exposure to dust, mold, and sensitivity to chemicals and airborne allergens like pollen. This happens because domestic cats spend most of their time on the floors, in the garden or backyard, and in other places where allergens easily collect.
Symptoms
The most common red flags associated with feline asthma are:
- Breathing difficulties
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Lethargy
- Appetite issues
- Purple/blue colored gums
- Unwilling to move around
- Hiding from people
If you witness any of these signs, take your pet to the vet immediately. Many of the symptoms mentioned above easily match those of other health conditions like heartworm and foreign object ingestion. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment can lower your munchkin’s stress, pain, and discomfort. This is essential to avoid health complications that can be more damaging to your cat’s system.
Caution
Secondary infections can’t be ruled out. For instance, asthmatic felines are more susceptible to developing pneumonia, so stay alert and identify any new symptoms should they occur. Timely intervention can help de-escalate the health issue.
Treatments
Vets commonly suggest anti-allergic medications, bronchodilators, and injections to alleviate symptoms and provide some relief for cats suffering from asthma. Visit your vet for the right prescription for your ailing cat, and it is not advisable to use over-the-counter medications to treat issues like this. Remember that only your vet will know what is best for your furball. Even if you want to try home remedies, first talk to your vet.
In the meantime, you can clean up your home and keep it devoid of smoke, dust, pollen, fragrances, chemical sprays, air fresheners, and other things that could trigger an allergy in your cat. Simultaneously, consider being equipped with pet insurance because you never know when a health issue will spike up to a chronic condition and how huge a bill you may have to deal with.
Cat insurance allows you to be more financially prepared during unplanned vet visits and health emergencies, so contemplate purchasing a policy.
