Feline Allergic Lower Airway Disease (Asthma in Cats): What are the Symptoms and Treatment?

Can Cats Have Asthma?

Feline allergic lower airway disease, informally known as cat asthma, is a respiratory condition that causes acute or chronic inflammation in your cat’s lungs, accompanied by a narrowing of the airways. It is commonly triggered by an allergic reaction to dust, pollen, or other allergens, but it may also be caused by stress. The condition causes frequent coughing and wheezing, and may also make it difficult for your cat to breathe.

Without proper treatment, symptoms will persist and can worsen over time. Left untreated, asthmatic episodes can become more severe. If you notice signs of asthma, take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Prompt treatment and preventive measures may help reduce the severity of clinical signs and prevention of future acute asthmatic crisis.

What Causes Asthma in Cats?

Respiratory irritants and allergens are the most common cause of cat asthma. They include dust mites, pollen, fragrances, mildew, cigarette smoke, and household cleaning products. Exposure to these allergens, even for a short duration, can trigger an inflammatory immune response in your cat’s airways, causing it to constrict and making breathing difficult. This may be exacerbated by increased mucus production in the airways.

Other environmental factors may also contribute to cat asthma. Stress is another known trigger of cat asthma, stemming from sudden changes to your cat’s environment, such as the addition of a new cat.

Common Symptoms of Asthma in Cats

The most common symptoms of cat asthma include:

• Coughing or hacking sounds

• Wheezing or noisy breathing

• Rapid or laboured breathing

• Open-mouth breathing

• Lethargy or reduced activity

• Breathing difficulty during or after exercise

If you notice your cat crouched with its head and neck extended while coughing or wheezing, it may be a sign of asthma.

How Cat Asthma is Diagnosed

Physical Examination

A physical exam may help the vet look for specific signs or symptoms such as airway and lung sounds and respiratory effort, allowing them to narrow down the diagnosis and determine whether your cat has asthma. It is common to pair the exam with other diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Chest X-Rays

Chest X-rays provide clear images of your cat’s respiratory system, allowing your vet to look for specific signs of asthma and rule out other respiratory conditions.

Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy is a diagnostic procedure involving the insertion of a thin, fibre-optic camera into your cat’s airways to examine its condition. It requires your cat to be sedated to minimise their discomfort during the procedure. If necessary, the vet will collect airway samples for additional testing to identify allergens or other causal factors.

Transtracheal Wash (TTW)

This diagnostic procedure also requires your cat to be sedated, as it involves pumping saline through a catheter into your cat’s lungs before suctioning the fluid back out. The collected fluid is then used for additional testing to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Cat Asthma

Medications

Medications aimed at reducing airway inflammation are commonly used. Injectable or oral-steroid anti-inflammatories provide relief to cats diagnosed with asthma by reducing inflammation and subsequent mucus production. It is often prescribed in a tapering course to minimise long-term side effects.

Bronchodilators, medication to widen the airways, are also often prescribed to relief symptoms of asthma. By opening up the airways, airflow through the small airways in the lungs becomes less turbulent and the cat will be able to breathe easier as a result.

For long term management, a transition from oral to metered dose inhalant versions of corticosteroids and bronchodilators may be necessary to minimise long-term side effects of systemic versions of the drugs. A chamber device may be required to deliver the inhalant medications.

Managing Triggers

Removing environmental respiratory irritants can also help ensure your cat enjoys a consistent quality of life with lowered risk of acute asthmatic crisis. Simple things you can do include:

● Clean your home regularly to prevent dust from building up and irritating your cat’s respiratory system.

● Use low-dust cat litter to reduce allergen accumulation, especially in the air.

● Eliminate all forms of smoke and other allergens from your indoor and outdoor areas.

● Use an air purifier to maintain clean air quality for your cat’s well-being.

● Keep your cat far away from sources of airborne chemicals, including deodorisers, fragrances, and other sprays.

Prompt symptom management can help ensure your cat lives a long, healthy life, even with asthma. If you suspect your cat may have asthma, visit Westside Veterinary Emergency & Referral Hospital today.