Just like human asthma, feline asthma is an allergen-driven disease of the upper respiratory tract that causes breathing difficulties. It is also known as bronchiectasis or feline bronchial disease. Bronchospasm causes individual bronchi to constrict or tighten, and swelling of the surrounding tissues causes the cat to go into a full-blown asthma attack. Symptoms Early symptoms may be difficult to detect. You may hear faint wheezing sounds that are more likely to be heard after strenuous exercise. Your cat may seem to tire easily. Breathing difficulties may be carried out after a severe attack. The cat’s body posture will vary with an asthma attack. With asthma, the cat’s body will bend to the ground and its neck and head will extend downward and downward to clear mucus from the airway. “Vomiting” may also be accompanied by a typical coughing sound and possibly sneezing. The cat may expel frothy mucus. These serious problems may not occur often, but they can actually be life-threatening and the cat should be brought to a veterinarian immediately for examination. Even cats that show one or two early signs should be examined. Once diagnosed, there are steps you can take to help your cat. Cause AnalysisCats with asthma can also suffer from exercise related effects and stress can cause or exacerbate cat asthma attacks. For this reason, you should try to remain calm when your cat is having an asthma attack, as your behavior may be stressing your cat out. Many of the same allergens that cause asthma attacks in humans cause asthma attacks in cats, including: smoking, mold or mildew, household chemicals, dust, pollen, cat litter, and cold, moist air. Diagnosing other diseases that share many of the same symptoms as cat asthma, including heartworm-related respiratory disease, is a serious disease in itself. Your veterinarian will use several diagnostic tests to eliminate these conditions. The most common diagnostic tool 1. Blood test: This is the fastest and easiest and will detect infection, which is usually accompanied by asthmatic bronchitis. They will test for macrophages, eosinophils, neutrophils and mast cells, which are the types of blood cells that help make up the immune system. Blood work can also be used to eliminate other diseases with the same symptoms.2. Chest x-ray: Also called a chest x-ray, this will reveal abnormalities such as areas of chronic irritation caused by infection, a flattened diaphragm or unusual fluid accumulation. Evidence of heart disease may also be seen. This does not necessarily eliminate asthma, as the two can sometimes go hand in hand. Your veterinarian may wish to send X-rays to a specialist for consultation.3. Bronchoalveolar lavage: This is a very useful procedure and is inherently very safe. So-called BAL is performed by inserting a tracheal cannula into the trachea under general anesthesia, through which fluid present in the pulmonary airways is then extracted for examination. BAL can diagnose conditions of the lungs other than asthma. the disadvantage of BAL is that it requires general anesthesia and is not recommended for cats with severe respiratory asthma. Treatment: 1. Oxygen therapy. 50-100% oxygen is given through an oxygen cage. 2. Removal of secretions. Bronchial suctioning removes large amounts of mucus from the bronchi. 3. Corticosteroids. In acute cases, prednisolone or dexamethasone is given intravenously; in chronic cases, prednisolone or 6-methyl prednisolone acetate is given intravenously. 4. antihistamines. Paracetamol (2-4mg/kg body weight, 1-2 times/day, orally) or Benadryl (2-4mg/kg body weight, 1-2 times/day, orally). 5. Bronchodilators. Aminophylline (5mg/kg body weight, 2 times/day) can be used for short-term treatment in acute cases and long-term treatment in chronic cases. 6、Improve the environment and avoid exposure to possible pathogenic factors. It is important to change the bedding in time and avoid fumes and irritating gases. Prevention Once your cat has been diagnosed with feline asthma, there are a variety of lifestyle changes you can choose to prevent recurrent asthma attacks, depending on the severity of the case. The first and most obvious thing you need to do is to try to eliminate the environmental allergens that are causing your cat’s breathing difficulties. Some will be easy; others are more complex or more expensive. Some of the most common cat asthma triggers include: 1. Smoking: If you smoke, you will need to smoke outdoors in the future. Better yet, consider quitting, for your own health, and for all the creatures you share your home with. 2. Fireplace smoke: A common problem for asthma sufferers. Older wood-burning fireplaces can be converted to gas/logs. Scented candles and plug-in air fresheners are especially bad for both humans and feline asthma sufferers.3. Mold and mildew: Perform a deep clean. Although it sounds a bit taboo, steam cleaners work well for cleaning mold and other allergens on solid surfaces such as tile floors, showers and walls. Professional services are available for cleaning central air ducts.4. Dust and dust mites: First, step up your use of a vacuum cleaner. Consider replacing curtains with attractive blinds. Think hardwood floors or tile rather than wall-to-wall carpeting. Although expensive, air purifiers are great for removing dust mites and mold spores from the air. If you can’t afford a whole-house installation or live in a rental, consider a room purifier in the room your cat occupies most often. A purifier will also help during pollen season.5. Household chemicals: Try to keep their use to a minimum. Use environmentally friendly products for your cat, your own health and your home environment. This includes avoiding most plug-in air fresheners, which often cause breathing difficulties for cats.6. Cat litter: Most are not suitable for asthmatic cats due to the dust on clay apothecia. Although some cats are allergic to the smell of pine, some owners have used feline pine with good results. The same applies to scented silicone crystal bedding. You definitely want to stick with unscented litter, and trial and error may be a waste of your resources. Note If you suspect your pet is sick, call your veterinarian immediately. Always consult your veterinarian for health related issues as they have examined your pet, know the health history of your pet and can provide the best advice for your pet.
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