Creature Companion - Interzoo Special September 2019 | Page 18
Feline Matter
Feline Allergic Asthma:
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
By Dr. (Mrs.) P Chaudhary*
F
eline allergic asthma, also called feline
asthma or feline lower airway disease,
is very similar to human asthma.
It is a chronic infl ammation of the small
passageways of a cat’s lungs. According to
estimates, feline allergic asthma aff ects 1-5
percent of domestic cats. When an asthma
attack happens, these passageways thicken
and constrict, making it diffi cult for a kitty to
breathe. Th is oft en leads to respiratory distress
and can become grave in a matter of minutes.
Th e lungs may also begin to discharge mucus
into the airways, leading to severe cough and
wheezing. It can become a life threatening
problem, if a veterinary evaluation is not done
on time.
Symptoms of Asthma in Cats
Coughing and Wheezing;
Squatting with shoulders hunched, neck
extended and gasping for breath;
Persistent cough;
Coughing up foamy mucus;
Open mouth breathing;
Blue lips and gums;
Overall weakness and lethargy.
Causes of Asthma in Cats
Th e prime cause of asthma in cats is allergic
bronchitis. Allergic bronchitis occurs when
the airways in a cat’s lungs become infl amed
due to an inhaled allergen or something that
stimulates the immune system. Common
factors that can contribute to severity of an
asthma attack include:
Allergens like pollens, moulds, dust from
cat litter, cigarette smoke, perfume and
certain foods;
Pre-existing heart conditions;
Parasites;
Extreme stress;
Obesity.
Asthma in cats usually develops between the
ages of 2 and 8, with a higher occurrence in
females. You should visit your vet immediately
if you think your cat is displaying the classic
symptoms of asthma.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of asthma in cats can be similar to
those seen in other diseases like heartworm,
pneumonia and congestive heart failure. So,
it becomes very important for your vet to
perform a diff erential diagnosis with diff erent
tests like X-Rays, blood diagnostic tests and
evaluation of bronchial secretions.
Treatment
Th ere is no true cure for cat asthma. Pet parents
need to learn to manage it. Eff ective therapy
includes bronchodilators to open up the
airway passages or reduce the infl ammation.
Inhalers are also used sometimes to provide
treatment for feline asthma.
Pet parents should strive to develop the
immunity of their cat.
Prevention
Several preventive measures can be adopted
to avert the occurrence of feline allergic
asthma. Th ese are:
Have your cat tested for internal parasites
regularly;
Reduce stress in the cat’s environment;
Do not use perfumes, room fresheners,
aerosol cleaners etc.;
Avoid using cat litters that create a lot of
dust;
Keep the kitty’s weight down through cat
play and regular exercise;
Use humidifi ers, especially during winters;
Do not expose your cat to cigarette smoke;
Lifelong veterinary care and symptom
management can improve both the quality
as well quantity of life in cats suff ering from
feline allergic asthma.
* Dr. (Mrs.) P Chaudhary is a Veterinary gradu-
ate from CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar. She is a practising Vet at Dr. Chaudhary’s
Pet Clinic, Anand Niketan, New Delhi.