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Bronchial Asthma in Cats
Bronchial Asthma in cats is an acute respiratory disease well marked by a sharp attack of grave distress of not being able to breathe. The victim cat may show extensive breathing out, coughing and meek blueness of tongue and gums in more stern cases. This situation can be very serious. Some cats even die due to respiratory failure except when they are offered timely treatment.
Causes of bronchial asthma in cats
The cause of bronchial asthma in cats is not understood completely. There are some types of hypersensitivity response that is mainly the cause. It is caused by the spasmodic contraction of bronchial tubes and enhanced production of secretions from bronchial tree. However, the instigating factor is not distinguished. Asthma is probably a sort of allergic response. A few cases are the result of breathing in dust from the litter of cat box. There are some cats that may be asymptomatic in the bouts of sharp airway obstacles. Siamese breed of cat and obese cats can have an altered occurrence of disease. Cats of about all ages may become affected.
Symptoms
In cats, some symptoms may begin to show bronchitis asthma. They can be infrequent or recurrent and even constant. A few symptoms are-
- Persistent daily cough
- Difficult breathing or dyspnea
- Noisy breathing or wheezing
- Abnormal posture
- No activity
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Poor condition
Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests are important to make out bronchial asthma and help to keep out other diseases that may make out similar signs. Medically, there is no one test that can diagnose bronchial asthma. Diagnosis is based on history of heavy breathing that is responsible for oxygen, hormones such as corticosteroids and bronchodilators that are agents that blow up air passages of lungs, typical X-ray findings and confirmation of airway irritation depending on fluid analysis. Some of the recommended tests can be-
- Complete medical history
- Physical examination
- Chest X Rays
- Heartworm test to eliminate heartworm disease
- Floatation fecal test to check parasites and lung flukes
- Complete blood count
- Feline leukemia
- FIV tests
- Blood serum chemistries
Treatment
Though there are a few methods of treatment, still after treatment, the disease can continue.
- Initial therapy can need hospitalization with treatments such as, corticosteroids and bronchodilator drug, such as aminophylline, terbutaline etc.
- Chronic therapy includes therapy with the help of steroids, just like prednisone or periodic injected medications, and / or bronchodilator drugs.
- Orthodox treatment works to get relief from acute emphysema, bronchial spasm and bronchiolar obstructions of mucus and cells.
- Holistic treatment of bronchia asthma in cats is possible by stopping the exposure to any more toxins.
- Home care and prevention at home is important for all prescribed medications. You should follow the directions of veterinarian and restrict the caloric intake in obese and overweight cats. Discuss the proper diet of your cat with your veterinarian.