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Feline Asthma

Rebecca Schmidt • Nov 30, 2012
Does your kitty cough, gag, wheeze, or have difficulty breathing? Have you noticed weight loss or decreased appetite in your feline friend? These are all possible symptoms of feline asthma.

Feline asthma is an inflammatory bronchial disease. This disease has many different potential causes. Your veterinarian will test for lungworm, heartworm, roundworms (yes these migrate through the lungs of your cat – gross!), certain bacteria, and allergic sensitivities. The most common tests include a physical examination, fecal sample, heartworm test, chest x-rays, bronchoalveolar lavage, baseline blood work and allergy tests.

Once your cat is diagnosed with feline asthma your veterinarian will want to choose the medication that will control your cat’s asthma with minimal side effects. The treatment may include anti parasitic medications, antibiotics, immunotherapy, inhaled medications, bronchodilators and steroids. Inhaled medications are available for your cat and these medications treat your cat’s lungs with fewer side effects. In severe cases long term oral or injectable steroids may be used. Sadly these medications come with a greater chance of adverse effects. A veterinarian who treats feline asthma on a regular basis should be consulted.

There are things you can do to help if your cat has been diagnosed with feline asthma. First try and remove all lung irritants from your home. Make sure your house is as dust-free as possible. Check for and remove mold and mildew which is commonly found in moist, dark places. All of the following can aggravate your cat’s asthma and should be avoided: smoke, air fresheners, candles, incense, hairspray, perfumes, fireplace fumes and even scented cat litter. Cats can be allergic to storage mites as well; keeping their dry food in a sealed container in the fridge will help.

Make sure your kitty is on monthly heartworm prevention. This is one cause of feline asthma that is easily avoidable. If you suspect your cat has asthma and you would like to schedule an appointment click here: http://www.northernilcatclinic.com/schedule-appointment/
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