Some symptoms of cat asthma are very similar to those of other ailments, or are so mild they aren't noticed right away. For example, many cats are prone to hairballs, and owners may assume they are the cause of any coughing or retching. Because initial symptoms can be vague, cat asthma can easily go unrecognized and untreated until symptoms become severe. Untreated asthma can be life-threatening; therefore, all cat owners should be aware of both mild and severe symptoms of asthma.
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Features
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Mild symptoms of feline asthma include occasional bouts of coughing, wheezing and fatigue. A cat in the middle of a more serious attack may at first look as if she is simply trying to cough up a furball. Next, she either will pant or attempt to take deep, slow breaths. She may crouch down, and you may notice her sides moving in and out, as she struggles to take in more air. In addition, she may open her mouth, in an attempt to get more air into her lungs. She may also stick out her tongue and seem panicked.
Effects
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The airways of asthmatic cats swell and constrict, which allows less air in and out of the lungs. If constriction is not severe, this may cause only occasional coughing. A cat's airways will spasm in serious asthma attacks, and this will cause severe difficulty breathing. These attacks stress not only the cat's lungs, but also the heart, which beats faster, and the brain, which is starving for more oxygen.
Identification
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Veterinarians diagnose cat asthma according to symptoms the cat owner has observed; by listening to a cat's lungs via stethoscope; and by viewing lung X-rays. Cats can have asthma without any signs showing up in an X-ray; however, having X-rays taken is a standard procedure for diagnosing asthma.
Prevention/Solution
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Cats exposed to cigarette smoke or other pollutants have a higher chance of developing feline asthma. Owners of asthmatic cats should keep the cat's environment as clean and dust-free as possible. Any cat can develop the disease, but air-borne pollutants and allergens will exacerbate it.
Your vet may initially treat your cat with a steroid shot or oral steroids to relieve symptoms. In addition, your cat may require a bronchial dilator, which is available for cats in injectable or inhalable form.
Warning
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Open-mouthed breathing or other symptoms of breathing difficulty are always signs you should take your cat to a veterinarian, preferably as soon as possible. However, bring in any cat who experiences occasional coughing, or who becomes fatigued easily, even if he has not had a serious attack.
Corticosteroids do cause side effects in cats, especially if used long-term. If your cat needs steroids, discuss possible side effects with your veterinarian. Known effects include an increased risk of feline diabetes and changes in a cat's behavior--excitability, for example.
Considerations
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Cat-asthma symptoms are similar to lung-cancer symptoms and congestive heart failure. Feline pneumonia, lungworms and heartworms can also cause respiratory symptoms that mimic asthma. A correct diagnosis and prompt treatment are important for any of these conditions. Do not put off taking the cat to your vet.
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