What causes wheezing and coughing in cats and kittens?
Feline Asthma is a disease that causes wheezing and severe coughing in cats. It mostly affects cats and kittens between 1 and 8 years of age and is caused by environmental factors, lungworm or heartworm parasites or other unknown causes. I have recently adopted a Simaese-cross kitten.
Is it normal for a cat to wheeze?
Know what’s normal. Like it or not, Dr. Morrison says no amount of wheezing should ever be considered normal. “Cat owners should contact their veterinarian at the first sign of wheezing,” she says.
What are the symptoms of upper respiratory infections in kittens?
Symptoms: Sneezing is the main symptom of upper respiratory infections in cats, though sometimes kittens will develop a yellowy goopy discharge from their eyes and a runny nose. If your kitten is having trouble breathing or refuses to eat, the situation is more serious.
What should I do if my cat is sneezing and wheezing?
Air purifiers also help keep the air around your kitty allergy-free. Don’t smoke anywhere near your cat. Refrain from using air fresheners around your feline. Choose unscented, natural cleaners, and try a few different types of litter to see if that reduces your cat’s symptoms.
Is it normal for kittens to wheeze when they breathe?
Hearing your cat or kitten wheezing when they breathe can be distressing for both you and your cat. If you notice your cat is wheezing and breathing heavy on a regular basis, it’s important to take note—it could indicate a health concern that needs to be addressed.
How can you tell if your cat has an upper respiratory infection?
How Do You Know If Your Cat Has a Respiratory Infection? A sneezing cat or a coughing cat can signal an upper respiratory infection. Some of the other common symptoms may include a discharge from the nose or eyes, sniffling, a fever (often evident by a lack of appetite), a hoarse meow (or no voice at all) and ulcers in the mouth or on the nose.
Why does my cat keep sneezing and coughing?
Respiratory problems in cats are a common cause of a cat wheezing and sneezing. A cat dealing with a bacterial, viral, or fungal upper respiratory infection will likely be experiencing stuffiness, nasal discharge, and teary eyes.
What causes respiratory infections in cats and dogs?
A variety of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa cause these infections, which negatively impact feline health. While vaccines have greatly reduced the incidence of serious respiratory disease in cats, they have not eliminated the highly contagious pathogens that cause them.
What should I do if my cat makes a wheezing noise?
If our cat’s airway is blocked, we will need to find a way to make it clear and potentially save their life. However, sometimes cats can make wheezing noises for a prolonged time. They may even have fits, but then return to normal breathing after a few minutes.
Why does my cat Gabby make a wheezing sound?
One of my cats, Gabby, will sometimes make a coughing, wheezing sound, almost like he’s about to cough up a hairball or do the infamous scarf-and-barf move, but sometimes, nothing comes up! So, is cat wheezing something to worry about?
Why does my cat have a hard time breathing?
Some problems are more common than others, and many can look similar without further investigation. Some of the more common causes of changes in breathing we see in cats include: Cardiac problems — A congenital heart condition or one that develops over time such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can lead to fluid build up in the lungs.
Why does my cat keep coughing and wheezing?
Sometimes, cat wheezing is a symptom of serious cat diseases. “ Heartworms and parasites, such as lungworms , can cause wheezing,” Dr. Gibbons says. “Pneumonia can be a cause of coughing. Depending on the location of the growth, cancer can also cause wheezing.
What are other causes of coughing in cats?
Common Causes of Coughing in Cats Viral Respiratory Infection. Chronic Bronchitis (Also Known as Asthma) Approximately 1 percent of ill cats are diagnosed with chronic bronchitis (or feline asthma ), which is a similar disease to asthma in people. Infectious Bronchitis. Pneumonia. Foreign Body in the Throat. Nasopharyngeal Polyp. Edema. Cancer. Trauma. Pleural Effusion.
Should I worry about my cat’s wheezing?
The cat may be wheezing, be lethargic and even experience seizures. You must decrease you pet’s temperature immediately, as heat stroke may be lethal. Use some warm compresses, but not ice packs. Avoid warm temperatures and make sure your cat stays in the shade during sunny days.
What causes congested breathing in cats?
One of the most common causes of heavy breathing in cats is pulmonary edema , a fluid build-up within the lungs. This is often caused by heart failure , but can also happen with electrocution, near-drowning, choking, cancer , or other systemic illnesses.