Asthma is a condition marked by recurrent attacks of wheezing and difficulty breathing (dyspnea), caused by constriction of the airways as a result of hypersensitivity to various environmental stimuli. Feline asthma, also called feline allergic bronchitis or feline bronchopulmonary disease (FBD), is a syndrome in cats triggered by allergic activation of the cat’s immune system, causing clinical signs of coughing, wheezing, sneezing, labored breathing and generalized respiratory distress.Feline asthma is triggered by an allergic reaction
Cats, like people, commonly suffer from asthma. Feline asthma is caused by an allergic reaction which leads to inflammation of the lower airways and build-up of mucus in the lungs. The symptoms usually appear in young to middle-aged cats, but older cats can be affected as well. Extensive investigation may help to identify the asthmatic trigger, but often the underlying cause is never determined.Feline asthma is a well-recognized medical disorder in domestic cats. The signs
Cats suffering from asthma often wheeze, cough, sneeze, have shortness of breath and display other signs associated with oxygen deprivation (cyanosis). As frightening as these symptoms can be to owners, they are also the primary determinants for diagnosing feline asthma.There is no single test that will conclusively confirm whether a cat has asthma or some other respiratory condition. A diagnosis of feline asthma is made based upon a number of factors, including the cat’s clinical
Owners of asthmatic cats can take comfort from the fact that there are a number of treatments available to minimize the symptoms and consequences of this disorder. Once asthma is diagnosed, the veterinarian will try to identify the underlying cause(s) of the allergic reaction. Owners are encouraged to keep an “asthma diary,” which records when the cat has an asthma attack, the severity of the attack and how long the attack lasts. While it may