Cat Asthma: An Overview
Dog Breeds
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
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Definition of Asthma
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.
Causes of Asthma in Cats
Feline asthma is triggered by an allergic reaction to some environmental allergen – which typically, but not always, is inhaled. The allergen itself can be almost anything. Common inciting causes include chemicals, cigarette or fireplace smoke, air pollution (smog, smoke from wildfires or from crop burning), carpet cleaners or other household cleaning products, perfumes (including those in deodorants or hair sprays), room/air fresheners, kitty litter, fertilizers, home remodeling products, paint, landscaping materials, pesticides, pollen, grasses, weeds and other shrubbery and animal dander (new pets, kennels or veterinary visits), among other things. Heartworm and parasitic lung infections are other common causes of feline asthma in certain geographic areas. Indoor allergens tend to be present year-round, while outdoor allergens tend to be more seasonal. Often, the exact asthmatic trigger is never identified. Exposure to the allergen causes inflammation of the airways with associated smooth muscle constriction and airway narrowing, leading to the classic signs of asthma.
Prevention of Feline Asthma
Most cases of feline asthma can be prevented by identifying and removing the inciting allergen(s) from the cat’s environment. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. If removing the offending stimuli cannot be accomplished, several types of prescription drugs are available to help manage asthmatic conditions symptomatically, although medication cannot actually “prevent” the disorder.
Special Notes
Other names for feline asthma are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthmatic bronchitis, feline lower airway disease, extrinsic asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis and immune-mediated airway disease. Feline asthma is fairly common in companion cats. Because the signs of this condition mimic those associated with several other respiratory conditions, conclusive diagnosis can only be made after extensive diagnostic assessment, including blood tests and thoracic radiographs (chest X-rays).
Symptoms and Types