Coughing and respiratory disease can be common in cats. One of the many causes is inflammation of the airways, which is sometimes called ‘asthma’. You may hear the terms ‘feline asthma’ and ‘chronic bronchitis’ used to describe chronic (long-term) disease of the small airways in the lungs. Other terms which describe the same condition are ‘allergic airway disease’ and ‘allergic bronchitis’.
Asthma is usually caused by an allergy to something in your cat’s home (e.g. pollen, dust), causing the airways to become inflamed and, over time, narrowed. With asthma, the airways can also react strongly and suddenly to irritants, causing sudden narrowing and breathing difficulties. Chronic bronchitis also causes inflammation of the airways, and gradual narrowing, along with an increase in mucous (a thick, sticky fluid). Environmental irritants can cause both conditions, but we often don’t know the exact trigger.
What are the signs of asthma or chronic bronchitis in cats?
The signs can vary in severity and may be constant or come and go. Typical signs include:
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Persistent coughing (often in short bouts)*
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Fast breathing/open-mouthed breathing or panting (can occur after exercise e.g. playing)
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Noisy breathing and wheezing
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Difficulty in breathing
*Coughing in cats can sometimes look like your cat is trying to be sick, and may be mistaken for ‘hairballs’ as your cat may retch or gag after coughing with their neck stretched out and body crouched low to the ground. If possible, take a video to show your vet to establish if your cat is truly coughing.
Signs your cat is having an asthma attack include struggling to breathe, open-mouthed breathing, their chest moving rapidly and occasionally weakness/collapse. Asthma attacks can be life-threatening so if you notice these signs with your cat, contact your veterinary team urgently.
What causes asthma or chronic bronchitis and are certain cats affected?
The cause is often an allergy to, or irritation from, something in your cat’s home but in some cases may be unknown. Cats of any age, breed or sex can develop chronic airway disease, although it’s more commonly seen in adult cats of around 6–9 years of age. It’s also often seen in Siamese and related breeds, so there could be an inherited component to the disease in some cats.
When to contact your veterinary team
Contact your veterinary team if your cat is coughing or showing any signs of breathing problems – such as their chest moving very rapidly, breathing with their mouth open, or making noises when breathing in and out. If you think your cat may be having an asthma attack, this is an emergency – your cat must be seen by a vet urgently.
How your vet will diagnose asthma or chronic bronchitis
Your vet will take a detailed history from you, examine your cat and listen to their chest with a stethoscope. As other conditions cause similar signs, they’ll need to rule out other causes (e.g. heart disease, infections). It’s helpful if you can bring a video of abnormal breathing or coughing on your phone to show the vet.
Further tests that may be performed on cats with breathing problems include:
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Blood tests
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Testing of faeces (for lungworm which can cause coughing)
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Examining the throat under an anaesthetic
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X-rays or CT scans
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A scan of the heart (echocardiography)
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Bronchoscopy – passing a small endoscope (camera) down into the lungs to look at the small airways
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Airway washes (bronchial or bronchoalveolar lavage) – collecting cells and fluid from the airways to examine under the microscope
Your cat will be anaesthetised for most of these tests.
How is asthma or chronic bronchitis treated?
Both are currently treated in similar ways, although asthmatic cats may benefit from bronchodilator therapy (to open the airways).
Generally, any secondary bacterial infections will be treated, and anything which is worsening the problem will need to be identified and removed or addressed if possible.
This may include:
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Reducing your cat’s weight if they’re overweight (as this can worsen breathing difficulties)
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Identifying any potential irritants or allergens in the house, e.g. pollens, perfumes or sprays, dusty cat litter, smoking in the house, cleaning sprays or disinfectants
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In some cats, the disease may be seasonal or may only happen when your cat is in certain rooms. In these situations, it may be possible to track down an irritant or allergen that triggers the disease
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Keeping cats out of the bedroom
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Using air filters to remove small particles from the air
In most cats, specific trigger factors can’t be found (or can’t be avoided). Treatment often involves anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilator therapy. These treatments can be given by mouth with tablets or liquids, or sometimes, by injection, or by inhalation (where your cat breathes them in using an inhaler like a human asthmatic). The advantage of inhaled medications is that they avoid some of the side effects of the long-term use of other medications, such as corticosteroids.
How are inhaled drugs given to a cat?
A special ‘spacer’ has been designed to give inhaled drugs to cats, which is similar to those used for young children. One end of the spacer is specially made to allow a human metered-dose inhaler (MDI) to fit and deliver a dose of medication into the chamber (spacer). At the other end, a face mask is attached with a valve that allows your cat to breathe in the medication from the chamber. One to two puffs (according to your vet’s instructions) of the MDI are given into the chamber and then the face mask is held gently over your cat’s face so they can breathe in the medication for around 10-15 seconds. This is usually administered twice daily. Most cats tolerate this very well, and with a little practice, it’s much easier than giving tablets. However, it is important that cats are slowly introduced to the device, and training to tolerate the inhaler can have benefits for life.
Many cats respond well and improve with treatment. However, it’s important not to stop the treatment as the condition will be lifelong. Discuss with your vet if your cat can have medication reduced to prevent a relapse.
What is the outlook for cats with asthma or chronic bronchitis?
Most cats can be successfully treated, but most will need life-long therapy. Some cats with severe disease can suffer repeated episodes of breathing difficulty, which in the worst cases can be life-threatening. If you are worried about your cat, contact your veterinary team.
(Article source: International Cat Care)