Feline Asthma & Choking

Choking, coughing or wheezing in a feline requires a visit to the veterinarian to determine if your cat is suffering from feline asthma. About 1 percent of all felines suffer from asthma, also referred to as chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma or allergic bronchitis, according to feline veterinary specialist Susan Little, DVM. Young and middle-aged cats, overweight felines, females, and Siamese and Himalayan breeds are more susceptible to asthma than other cat populations.

  1. Causes

    • Cats may develop asthma when they are exposed to allergens or infections that trigger chronic inflammation, increased mucous production and airway constriction of the lungs. Asthma is defined as a "recurring respiratory compromise featuring the constriction of the lung's airways," according to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.

    Symptoms

    • Coughing and wheezing are the predominant symptoms in cat asthma. Little describes the coughing as a dry, hacking cough which is sometimes confused with choking, gagging or retching. An asthmatic feline may appear to be coughing something up, such as a hairball, or choking on food or foreign objects. Little states that many asthmatic cats may be misdiagnosed as having a hairball issue. In the most severe cases, cats experience open mouth breathing and vomiting.

    Diagnosis

    • A comprehensive diagnostic work-up is needed to rule out all other diseases, such as heartworm or lungworm, to make sure it is indeed asthma. Typically this diagnostic procedure consists of various lab work, chest X-rays and a review of the cat's medical history.

    Treatment

    • Depending on the severity of the disease, there are different treatment methods available for asthmatic felines. Veterinarians will prescribe one or more of the following medications: corticosteroids (available in various forms---pill, inhaler spray or injection) to reduce the inflammation or bronchodilators to open up the constricted airways.

    Preventative Measures

    • Take measures to decrease the symptoms, or severity of attacks, in your asthmatic cat. Options include reducing the amount of allergens and irritants your cat is exposed to by using an air purifier, switching to a low dust or dustless cat litter, refraining from the use of various synthetic sprays including air fresheners, hairsprays, insecticides, and eliminating cigarette smoke. Little also suggests weight reduction if your cat is overweight to help with the asthma.