Asthma is called “Bronchial disease” in medical terms, an inflammatory condition that can leave feline fur babies with shortness of breath. It is essential to know the causes, symptoms, and treatments available so you can offer your asthmatic fluffy friend a good quality of life.
The inflammation caused can be so damaging that it obstructs airflow and leads to fluid accumulation and swelling of mucous glands along the airways. Should your furball show signs of asthma, seek medical help immediately.
Emergency medical assistance can help restore normal breathing and lower much of your pet’s discomfort due to the constriction of air passages. At the same time, consider being prepared with kitten insurance NZ so that providing timely medical care to your sick pet need not be significant economic trouble.
Contemplate purchasing cat insurance, so your feline pet has a medical backup to lean on during distressing health situations, with minor financial implications for you. Meanwhile, read this article to learn the root causes, tell-tale signs, and cures available for this condition.
Causes
Allergies can trigger bronchial inflammation associated with feline asthma. For instance, prolonged exposure to dust, pollen, lint, and mold can lead to asthma in feline fur babies as they spend much of their time close to the ground and in remote areas where allergens often take shelter.
Other reasons for developing this breathing complaint are food allergies, hypersensitivity to chemicals and specific products used indoors. For instance, inhaling the scent of perfumes, air fresheners, detergents, and other chemical-based items can cause breathing problems.
Symptoms
Some of the most common signs of asthma include – breathing difficulty, sneezing, coughing, panting, wheezing, unwillingness to move around, weakness, wheezing, bluish/purplish gums, hiding, and other behaviors that are unusual for your furry pet.
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your cat, rush to the vet as soon as possible. Note that the above signs can be those of many other respiratory conditions and diseases. The vet can run specific diagnostic tests to understand the root cause of the issue.
Treatments
Kitties dealing with breathing issues are more susceptible to pneumonia and other secondary infections. It helps to keep an eye out for signs of secondary infections so you can summon medical help early.
Antihistamines, bronchodilators, injections, steroids, herbal remedies, and dietary changes are some treatments often suggested by veterinarians. Get your furry pet tested and treated sooner than later to prevent the disease from progressing to an advanced stage.
To minimize further triggers, do not smoke indoors, store scented products in inaccessible places and chemical-based products in locked cabinets, and clean up mold on and vacuum furniture, bedding, and other things regularly. A word of caution here, never use inhalers made for human use on cats. Use vet-recommended medications and products, and provide vet-approved food.
Also, consider being equipped with kitten insurance in NZ, so your furball is covered for basic health benefits during unplanned vet visits and medical emergencies. Contemplate purchasing cat insurance so you can focus on getting your pet cured instead of the finances involved in despairing health scenarios.
