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| Feline
Asthma |
Feline
asthma is a common name for feline bronchitis. Feline Asthma is a
disease in cats, which if left untreated can shorten your cat's life.
The heart must work harder when a cat has difficulty breathing and in
rare cases this can lead to heart failure. There are many different
underlying diseases and contributing conditions that can cause the
symptoms of bronchitis in cats. In addition to medications,
environmental changes must also be made. Some cats with asthma also
have allergies. All cats with asthma need an environment as free of
dust as possible. The key to good treatment is early diagnosis.
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| Cause
of Feline Asthma |
The potential causes of feline
bronchial disease include:
1. Allergy
2. Bacterial infection
3. Parasites (including heart worm
disease)
4. Exposure to inhaled irritants
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| How Is The Diagnosis Made |
| Because of the constricted
airways, the actual volume of air
this patient can move in and out of the lungs each breath is
reduced.
There is often a great deal of effort seen in the cat’s
breathing. The
abdomen appears to be working to push air out and the breaths are
shallow and rapid. The cat may even be breathing with its mouth open in
an effort to move the largest possible amount of air. The next step
toward making a diagnosis of feline asthma is the chest radiography,
assuming the cat is not in too much distress to hold still in position
for this procedure. Classically, this radiography will show what is
called “air-trapping.” This means that the small
airways have
constricted such that inspired air cannot be exhaled. The lungs are
larger in appearance than normal as they are over-inflated. The
diaphragm may seem flattened due to this over-inflation. |
| Symptoms
of Feline Asthma |
- Wheezing or rapid, labored
breathing
- Persistent cough, looks like
hairball behavior but is unproductive
- Squatting with shoulders
hunched, neck extended & low to the ground
- Frothy mucus while coughing
- Lethargy
- Open mouth breathing
- Labored breath after exertion
- Upward extended neck and
gasping for breath
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| Treatment |
| It is crucial to realize that
the underlying problem in the
airway is inflammation. To resolve inflammation, corticosteroid
medications such as prednisone are necessary; doses are frequently high
and continued long-term. Another method commonly used besides long-term
oral use of steroids is periodic use of injectable long acting
corticosteroids. This is generally an injection given periodically when
the cat seems to be showing signs of respiratory discomfort. Take it to
the vet. Usually, the vet will have pills to help you with your cat's
asthma, and if needed an inhaler. |
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| Useful
Information |
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| Super Fast Fact |
Cat's
Claws Sharp
Most cats pull in their claws while
walking on rough ground.This helps keeps the claws sharp.
How
Long Cat Pregnant
A female cat will be pregnant for
approximately 9 weeks or between 62 and 65 days from conception to
delivery.
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