Not many people know that cats can also suffer from asthma. This disease in cats is also known as feline asthma, allergic bronchitis, feline bronchial disease, allergic asthma and allergic airway disease. The allergen when enters a cats body it can cause the tightening of the muscle in and around the airway and swelling of the airway which results in the narrowing and blocking the smooth flow of the air. Also, due to the allergen the airway starts producing extra mucus as a result of which the airway narrows down creating problems for the cat to breathe properly.

Symptoms of Asthma in cats: Dry and hacking cough, Wheezing, Labored breathing, Panting and Open mouthed breathing

These symptoms can be mild as well as severe depending on the stage of the disease. In a mild condition, occasional coughing and wheezing can be observed while in a severe stage wheezing and open mouthed breathing becomes regular which lead to a constricted airway. If not cured properly, the result can be as severe as death.

Diagnosis

There are few other medical circumstances which are similar to asthma such as pneumonia, heartworm, congestive heart failure and bordetella. Your vet will have to properly examine and find out the correct problem. The vet has to carefully listen and check the cat's breathing. An x-ray should be taken to find symptoms of enlarged lungs, bronchial inflammation, doughnuts and flattened diaphragm. A tracheal wash is necessary to find out the existence of eosinophils.

Treatment

Asthma is a disease which can be cured completely; however in most of the cases it can be managed. Steroids in oral form can be used to reduce the inflammation; however there are side effects of using these steroids for a long time such as pancreatitis, diabetes, weight gain, increased urination and change in the behavior. The steroids in inhaler form can also be used for reducing the inflammation. Comparatively, inhaler steroids have fewer side effects than the oral ones since they do not get into a system as much as the oral ones do.

In a situation of severe wheezing or coughing bronchodilators are very helpful in opening up the airway. In a situation like this, take your cat to the vet as quickly as possible. A corticosteroid should be injected immediately to reduce the inflammation and a bronchodilator should be used to open the airway. In some most severe cases, ephedrine is also used to save the life.