Treating Bronchitis in Cats

Dog Breeds

Treatments for bronchitis in cats depend on what has caused the bronchitis condition to develop. Once the cause of the bronchitis has been discovered, then effective treatments can begin. To help reduce stress levels, the cat should be in a quiet and comfortable environment.

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Introduction

Treating respiratory distress in cats requires immediate and successful minimization of environmental and situational stress – even before the cause of bronchitis has been determined. Once the cause of bronchitis is identified, appropriate treatment protocols can be considered.

Treating Feline Bronchitis

When a cat develops bronchitis, the only way to resolve the condition is to determine and treat the underlying cause. Any number of diagnostic tools can be used in this effort, and there are a number of therapies that can help manage the symptoms of bronchitis as well. Any respiratory disease in cats should initially be swiftly addressed with stress management. This includes providing a quiet, cool, comfortable and safe environment with excellent nutritional support and supplemental oxygen if necessary. Viral bronchitis in cats can be treated with general supportive care and usually resolves within 7 to 14 days. Antibiotics are used quite effectively to treat cats suffering from bronchitis caused by bacterial pathogens. Cats with parasitic respiratory infections will need individualized treatments. Lungworms can be treated using anti-parasitic medications, but heartworms in cats are not so easily treated. When bronchitis is caused by a chronic feline asthma condition, the asthma will need to be treated to resolve the bronchitis. Treating asthma in cats is not always easy because the asthmatic trigger can be difficult to pinpoint. During periods where the asthma becomes severe, anti-inflammatory medications and steroids may be helpful to control the condition.

Feline bronchitis can be life-threatening if untreated. Continual coughing can cause permanent damage to upper airway tissues. Excessive coughing may also interfere with a cat’s ability to eat properly. Bronchitis can damage a cat’s immune system over time and predispose the animal to secondary bacterial and viral infections.

Diagnosis and Tests