New forum topics

more

Also from Critterology.com:

Is your critter the pick of the litter? Rate your pet (and others', too) at IsMyPetFly.com!

Subscribe to our Podcast:

CritterCast Home Page

What is feline asthma and how can it be treated?

By paige

Filed Under: Cats, Diseases

Feline asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects one percent of all adult cats. It is characterized by recurrent and sudden attacks of dyspnea (difficult breathing), and is caused by a spasmodic contraction of the bronchi.

Symptoms you may notice include wheezing, labored breathing, coughing, and frantic attempts to obtain air. Cat coughing sounds more like a hairball being passed than a human cough. The disease can be caused by allergies, smoke, inhalation of small particles, or bacterial infections. Feline asthma is also a common side affect of heartworms.

Asthma can be controlled by the use of steroids, bronchodilators, and antibiotics, taken either orally or in conjuction with inhalation therapy. In these cases prevention is aimed at avoiding the cause of the asthma.

There is unfortunately no treatment for heartworm disease in the cat. Heartworm positive cats should be put on a heartworm preventative to stymie the accumulation of further adult heartworms.

Topics: allergies, chronic conditions, heartworms, prevention

Symptoms: difficulty breathing, wheezing

»

Related Articles

  • Heartworm Disease in the Ferret

    Heartworms or Dirofilaria immitis are a spaghetti-type worm that develop in the heart and lungs of an infected host. The disease is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. Due to the insect vector, disease is more common in mild, moist climates. Mosquitos appear to infect ferrets with heartworms at a similar rate as seen in the dog.

  • Heartworm Disease in the Cat

    Heartworms or Dirofilaria immitis are a spaghetti-type worm that will develop in the heart and lungs of an affected feline. Heartworm disease in cats was first reported in 1920’s both in Brazil and in the U.S. Domestic and exotic felines may all become infected. Heartworms affect male and female cats in equal numbers.

  • Heartworm Disease in Dogs

    Heartworms can be a problem anywhere mosquitoes inhabit. This disease syndrome is especially prevalent in Florida and the other Gulf Coast States. Due to their mild climate, these states are pestered by mosquitoes year round.

  • Heartworms in the Feline Patient

    Are there mosquitoes in your area? Have you ever been bitten by a mosquito? One mosquito bite and your cat can be affected by heartworm disease. It is just that easy for your cat to obtain this life-threatening infection. Fortunately, heartworm disease is completely preventable, yet less than 4% of the cats in the United States are given heartworm preventative on a regular basis.

  • Top 10 Reasons "Safe" Pets Get Heartworms

    10) Being unaware that cats and ferrets as well as dogs may become infected with heartworms.

    9) Being in denial that there are mosquitos in your area.

    8) Having a pet that refuses to take oral medication even if it is disguised as a treat.

    7) Using a topical heartworm preventative and then bathing your pet frequently with harsh shampoos that strip the medication from the coat.

    6) Skipping one or more doses of heartworm preventative.

User login

Login/Register

Poll

Does your pet like the snow?