Asthma In Cats

Asthma (shortness of breath) with Bronchitis in Cats

Bronchitis disease in cats is a term used to indicate inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles. While Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation in the long term in the lower respiratory tract.

Conditions of asthma in cats can walk or occur suddenly (acute) and may also occur in the long term (chronic). Airway inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles because of increased sensitivity to various stimuli, such as the presence of allergens, narrowing of the airways, and the accumulation of specific cells in the airways.

In cats, acute and chronic inflammation of the lower airways collectively denoted as bronchitis cat, cat or bronchopulmonary disease (FBD). Chronic inflammation in the lower airways, if untreated, can lead to fibrosis (an excess of fibrous tissue in the lungs) and will occur pulmonary atelectasis (a disease in which the lungs can not expand). This disease can occur in cats of any age, but is most common between the ages of 2-8 years.

Lower respiratory tract consists of the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Starts at the end of the tracheal bronchus, where they split into two branches. Then bronchi split into branches smaller, called bronchioles. The alveoli are the terminal part of the lower respiratory tract, the lungs, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs.

Asthma Symptoms in Cats

Because the disease can be acute or chronic, the clinical symptoms that can occur in asthma in cats can be varied, such as:
• Cats experiencing Cough
• Cats experiencing Sneezing
• Cats experiencing difficulty breathing (some cats will be breathing with the mouth open)
• Cats experiencing decreased appetite even eat a little
• Cats experiencing weakness
• Cats experiencing Lethargy
• Cats experiencing rapid breathing effort
• Cats skin color changes to blue including the mucous membranes of the cat
Causes of Asthma in Cats

The exact cause of bronchial inflammation in cats is often unknown, but there are several causes that led to the emergence of the disease in cats is Asama cigarette smoke, hair spray, air freshener, new furniture, and dusty room. Besides that cause asthma in cats can also be caused by a parasitic infection of the lungs (lungworm).

diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your pet, taking into account the historical background of the symptoms and incidents that may occur in your cat. You will be asked about your cat's diet, presence or absence of additional furniture / new furniture into the house, and other related questions. An exact cause of this disease is unknown, and find the causes of asthma in cats difficult thing to do. Sometimes, something as simple as air freshener can be a cause of asthma.

Meanwhile, the veterinarian will take blood and urine samples for laboratory testing. Blood tests will help to establish the diagnosis, and also to characterize whether the problem is acute or chronic. Stool samples will also be taken for laboratory tests to see if parasites are present. Your veterinarian can also take samples for bacterial culture to see if the infection is involved. X-ray radiation can be helpful in diagnosing the nature, scope, and type of changes in the lung parenchyma (the functional part of the lungs) due to inflammation.

Treatment of disease shortness of breath / asthma in cats

In cases of acute asthma, emergency treatment may be needed, until the crisis is over and gone. Giving oxygen therapy will greatly help to overcome this problem, including the provision of emergency medicine to open the airways cat. Narrowing of the respiratory organs often accompanied by swelling of the channel, so the vet will give you medication to reduce the swelling so that the cat can breathe normally. Dispensing steroids, drugs and anti-inflammatory highly recommended for treating asthma and shortness of breath in cats.

After the end of the emergency period, a treatment plan will be made in the future. For some cats, eliminating the causes of asthma is very necessary so that similar incidents do not recur in times to come. This disease can be progressive in nature, so if your cat has chronic bronchial problems, your veterinarian will recommend a long-term medical therapy.

Prevention Asthma In Cats

We may need to change the home environment so that the cat does not have asthma and shortness of breath. Air fresheners should be avoided, including avoiding smoking indoors, chemical sprays, and cat litter are too subtle. There may also be some foods that should be avoided (for example, materials that are added to some cat food, or food table).

Your veterinarian will tell you about the right food for your cat and assist you in planning a long-term diet. Also, in chronic cases, you have to be prepared mentally for the lifetime care of your cat. Talk with your veterinarian in detail and ask questions about things that are not clear about. Recurrence in asthma can occur quickly and can cause death in cats unless promptly treated. You'll have to be very observant with your cat, so if you see your cat cough or difficulty breathing, you can treat it with medication that has been prescribed, or bring your cat to the veterinary hospital for emergency treatment.