What Is Feline Asthma?

• Feline asthma occurs when there is a chronic inflammation of the bronchioles, the small passageways of the lungs. The asthma causes these passages to thicken and collapse as the cat inhales, making breathing extremely difficult. The onset of asthma typically occurs sometime between the ages of 2 and 6. A higher incidence of the condition is reported in female and Siamese cats. The severity of feline asthma varies in cats and usually gets worse over time.
  
  

Symptoms

• The symptoms of asthma vary based on the severity of the cat's condition, but the most common symptoms are wheezing and coughing. Early symptoms may be overlooked or misdiagnosed because the coughing that occurs is a dry, hacking cough similar to how a cat acts if she has a hairball. Cats with a mild case of asthma may only have occasional bouts of wheezing and coughing. Severely affected cats may have daily attacks with labored breathing and panting. These severe attacks can be life threatening.
  
  

Triggers

• Asthma attacks are triggered by allergens in the air or stress. It usually is exceedingly difficult to determine which allergen in causing the asthma, but common triggers are grass, tree pollens, mold, smoke, dust from cat litter and aerosol sprays such as air fresheners, deodorants, perfumes or even flea spray. In cats with other respiratory illnesses, exertion and extreme hot or cold temperatures may also trigger attacks.
  
  

Diagnosis

• A veterinarian will take several steps to diagnosis feline asthma because symptoms can mimic those of other diseases including congestive heart failure, pneumonia, a diaphragmatic hernia and heartworm. Tests will include a chest X-ray, blood work and a feline heartworm test. Occasionally the vet will conduct a trans-tracheal or bronchial wash to collect cells from the lungs for further examination.
  
  

Treatment

• There is no cure for feline asthma; however, a few treatment options are very effective in cats. Medications such as corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs may minimize the symptoms. These medications are typically taken orally or may be injected. Some veterinarians may also use the inhalation method to provide some medications. Similar to a human inhaler, veterinarians have found this form to be the most effective treatment.