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Feline asthma

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Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

Feline asthma is a chronic disease of the bronchi, the tubes that carry air into the lungs. In predisposed cats, the inhalation of ordinary particles triggers an excessive reaction: the bronchi become inflamed, tighten and fill with mucus. The air still enters, but comes out poorly. Attacks alternate with normal periods, which often delays diagnosis. One point frequently misleads owners: the coughing position closely resembles that of a cat trying to return a ball of hair, crouching with its neck stretched forward. A cat who does this regularly without ever rejecting anything should be examined.

Key point

An asthma attack can progress within minutes to fatal respiratory distress. A cat that breathes with its mouth open should neither be constrained, nor handled, nor transported by car without destination: call the clinic and go there directly, leaving it in an open, quiet crate.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Cough Difficulty breathing Rapid breathing Fatigue Reduction Noisy breathing or snoring Shortness of breath on exertion

Dry cough in fits, cat crouching, neck stretched and head down.

Rapid breathing at rest, sometimes accompanied by an audible whistling sound.

Visible effort to breathe, stomach pumping with each exhalation.

Fatigue from exercise, cat who plays less and hides.

In severe crisis: open mouth breathing, elbows apart, mucous membranes turning bluish. This is a life-threatening emergency.

Between seizures, the cat may appear perfectly normal.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

The disease is based on an allergic reaction of the respiratory tract to inhaled particles.

The most common triggers are litter dust, tobacco smoke, incense, scented candles, aerosols and household products, room fragrances, pollen, mold and house dust.

Once the inflammation has set in, the wall of the bronchi thickens over time, which makes the cat more and more reactive to the slightest irritant.

Young to middle-aged adults most often, but all ages are possible.

Environment loaded with particles: smoking in the home, dusty litter, incense, sprays.

The Siamese breed and related breeds seem more represented.

Overweight, which aggravates respiratory difficulty without being the cause.

Dry air, heat, stress and exertion can trigger an attack in an already affected cat.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

The veterinarian listens to the lungs, observes breathing at rest and clarifies the context of the attacks.

Chest x-rays most often show a characteristic appearance of the bronchi and allow other causes to be ruled out.

A stool examination is carried out to look for pulmonary parasites, which give exactly the same signs and are treated quite differently.

A respiratory tract sample, carried out under anesthesia, may be offered to analyze the cells and look for infection.

A cardiac check-up is sometimes necessary: in cats, heart disease can mimic respiratory disease.

Treatment

Asthma cannot be cured, but it is well controlled when managed.

Two families of medications are used: corticosteroid-type anti-inflammatories, which calm background inflammation, and bronchodilators, which reopen the bronchi during attacks.

Administration by inhalation, with a specific chamber and a small mask adapted to the cat, is now preferred when possible: the medication acts where it is needed and the rest of the body is spared. Most cats accept it after a few days of gradual habituation.

Basic treatment should never be stopped abruptly on your own initiative: the attacks return, often stronger.

An emergency plan is defined with the veterinarian to know what to do and where to go in the event of a crisis.

No human medication should be given to cats without a prescription.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

We do not prevent the disease itself, but we space out the attacks a lot by purifying the air in the home.

Remove indoor tobacco, incense, scented candles, aroma diffusers and aerosols.

Choose a low-dust, fragrance-free litter and fill the tray away from the cat.

Ventilate, dust with a damp cloth rather than sweeping, wash the beds regularly.

Maintain a healthy weight: a few hundred extra grams weigh heavily on a cat's breathing.

Possible complications

Serious acute attack with lack of oxygen, which can be fatal if not immediately treated.

Permanent thickening of the wall of the bronchi, with permanent respiratory difficulty upon exercise.

Bacterial superinfection of the respiratory tract.

In older forms, irreversible dilation of certain bronchi, which causes coughs and infections.

When to see a veterinarian

Your cat is breathing with its mouth open, or its gums are pale or bluish: a life-threatening emergency, go to a veterinarian immediately.

His breathing is rapid and labored at rest.

He coughs regularly, even without spectacular attacks.

He takes the position of a ball of hair without ever rejecting anything.

His attacks become more frequent or longer despite treatment.

Prognosis

With proper treatment and a sanitized environment, the majority of cats lead normal lives for years.

The prognosis worsens if the attacks are repeated without treatment: the bronchi become permanently damaged.

A severe attack that goes untreated can be fatal, hence the importance of recognizing the signs of respiratory distress.

Frequently asked questions

My cat coughs as if she wants to make a hairball, but nothing comes out. Is it serious?

This is the most classic sign of feline asthma, and most often overlooked. A cat that adopts this position regularly without ever rejecting anything must be examined: film a seizure with your phone, the video helps the veterinarian a lot.

Will my cat ever recover?

No, asthma is a chronic disease. On the other hand, it is controlled very well: with basic treatment and cleaned air, many cats no longer have any visible seizures.

Does a cat really accept an inhaler?

Yes, in the vast majority of cases, if you get used to it gradually and gently, with the specific equipment designed for cats. The veterinarian demonstrates the technique during a dedicated consultation.

Can my cigarette smoke really trigger seizures?

Yes. Tobacco smoke is one of the most documented irritants to the respiratory tract of cats, which live close to the ground and lick their fur. Smoking outside the home often makes a clear difference.