The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital

Cat’s get Asthma, Just like people

By Alexis Higdon, DVM

Spring is here and plants, trees and bushes are starting to bloom throughout the Treasure Valley. Along with all the colorful, beautiful flowers, come all the clouds of pollen generated by the blooms. Affected humans start to feel the weight of their allergies with runny, itchy eyes and noses and onset of multiple sneezes. Those with asthma are especially cautious of this change of seasons. Cats too have allergies and although no one knows for sure, we speculate that cats, just like people can be hypersensitive to pollen and develop the classic symptoms of asthma, coughing and wheezing.

Asthma is also called allergic bronchitis since it causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi, or air passageways. Symptoms such as wheezing and distress occur when air is inhaled and the alveoli or air sacs fill, but cannot be emptied, just like in people. When a cat tries to exhale, the bronchi narrow and air remains trapped in the alveoli. We then see the classic signs of an asthma attack, a wheezing and coughing cat. Cats don’t cough like we do and many clients think their cat is trying to “cough” up a hairball. A coughing cat will put his upper body in a “push-up” like position with his hind legs tucked under him. He will then extend his neck parallel to the ground and forcefully attempt to exhale. The act of trying to exhale can go on for up to a minute. An asthma cough is called “nonproductive.” This means that nothing comes up through the air passages as the coughing proceeds. Attacks can be intermittent and occur only occasionally or, in some cases, occur multiple times in a 24-hour period. After the coughing spell, most cats act totally normal. However, we know that cats in general will do anything they can to hide their discomfort and try to compensate for an underlying disease by appearing like nothing unusual is going on. So, don’t be fooled that your coughing cat is doing just fine, because he or she isn’t! A rule of thumb to follow is: If your cat cough’s more than once a day, it is not from a hairball, and a trip to your cat’s veterinarian is in order.

Because feline asthma can mimic infectious diseases such as a bacterial or viral bronchitis, or parasites such as heartworm or lungworm, diagnosing asthma is done with caution. Your cat must fit the pattern of having a seasonal or intermittent nonproductive cough. Blood tests are run as we look for characterizing abnormalities. Additionally, chest X-rays will show certain signs in all asthmatic cats such as thickening of the air passageways, and increased air trapped in the lungs. Unfortunately, infectious lung diseases can look like an asthmatic lung on an x-ray, therefore, in some cases, advanced tests are done under anesthesia such as a tracheal wash. In this procedure, fluid is collected from the bronchi and studied under a microscope. We are looking for cells, bacteria or other organisms to help us diagnose the underlying cause of the cough. We also test the fluid for hidden bacteria, which can grow when the lungs become compromised.

In Idaho, untreated asthmatic cats tend to have coughing spells year around, although they may be worse during certain seasons. Since we assume asthma in cats is caused by allergies, treatment goals include controlling the allergic reaction with corticosteroids, relieving the constriction of air passages with both oral and inhalant bronchodilators (see picture to left) and treating any possible airway infections with antibiotics. Fortunately, cats in general both respond to and tolerate corticosteroids very well. They can stay on this medication for long periods so their symptoms remain controlled. The cats owners are educated and informed of all the subtle factors regarding asthma so they are better equipped to identify an attack and know what to do to help their cat. We even provide the owner with an emergency asthma kit in case their cat gets into trouble and veterinary help is not readily available. The best news is that most cats become stable, and return to normal activity and quality of life with proper diagnosis and appropriate, ongoing treatment.

Back to Healthy Advice from The Cat Doctor PA

9151 Ustick Rd., Boise, ID 83704 (208) 327-7706 FAX (208) 327-0676

HOURS: Mon/Wed/Fri 8-6 | Tues/Thurs 8-7 | Sat 8-1

web design by NetEFX Northwest Inc