Cats with breathing problems may have asthma, nasal congestion, pneumonia, pleural effusion, or congestive heart failure. Learn what symptoms to watch for and when to take your cat to the vet.
Your cat isn't breathing well. In this video from Animal Expert, we explain the main causes that lead a cat to have difficulty breathing and whether you should take it to the vet. 1. Asthma this is one of the most common respiratory diseases in cats. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the lower airways, possibly due to an allergic cause. Exposure to allergens such as environmental pollution, cigarette smoke and incense, household dust, sanitary granules, dust, flea powder, perfume, herbs and plants that contain pollen, among others, can trigger it. Symptoms include coughing, increased airway volume, frequency and dyspnea. In this case, it is common to observe that the cat breathes very quickly. 2. A stuffy nose Some viral agents, such as feline herpesvirus type 1 and feline pollisi virus are responsible for upper respiratory diseases in cats. Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the infection, including sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, conjunctivitis, eye discharge, corneal ulcers and oral lesions. Nasal secretions can accumulate and dry out, making it difficult for the animal to breathe. Bacterial agents may also be involved, causing the condition to worsen and progress to pneumonia. On the other hand, it is possible that the animal has a blocked nose due to the presence of a foreign body such as nettles, which will undoubtedly make it difficult to breathe well. If your cat does not have a blocked nose but is panting and breathing rapidly, take a look at the video that we have left for you. 3. Pneumonia this can be attributed to infectious causes or less frequently to non infectious causes. Infectious agents associated with pneumonia in cats include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Non infectious causes are associated with aspiration, pneumonia, inhalation of toxic or irritant substances and endogenous lipid disorders. Lower respiratory tract infections usually affect young cats. In adults it is considered a rare disease and is usually related to predisposing factors that lead to systemic immunosuppression such as coinfections with a virus, endocrine or metabolic diseases, or even immunosuppressive therapy such as chemotherapy or corticosteroids. 4 this is a pathological change characterized by the accumulation of fluid within the thoracic cavity. It is usually found in feline clinics and sometimes becomes an emergency care due to the dyspnea in which the patient may find themselves. Pleural effusion is life threatening for the cat, so it should be taken to the vet as soon as possible and with the least possible stress. If you find the video useful, remember that you can help the channel with a superhance. 5. Congestive heart failure this is a syndrome that results from a heart that can no longer maintain its proper function. To preserve bodily functions, a cat with heart failure may present fatigue, dyspnea, weight loss, abdominal swelling, weakness, cyanosis, syncope, as well as other clinical signs, except for those that are not listed in the list. If you live with a cat, pay close attention to signs of rapid or heavy breathing, as this could indicate a serious and urgent problem. The best thing you can do if your cat is breathing poorly or you notice that it is starting to breathe through its mouth is to take it to the vet, as this could be a symptom of a serious illness that, if not treated properly, could lead to the animal's death. Do not attempt maneuvers or use home remedies in this case, as you could stress the animal and cause more harm. If you want to continue learning more about cat health and veterinary advice, don't miss the playlist that we have left for you here on the side. Tell us, have you already been to the vet to have your feline diagnosed? Until next time, experts.
