Feline Asthma

Feline asthma, also known as allergic bronchitis, is a respiratory condition where a cat's airways become inflamed, constricted, and produce excess mucus in response to inhaled allergens or irritants. Common triggers can include dust, pollen, smoke, strong scents, or certain cat litters. When exposed to these triggers, the airways narrow, making it difficult for the cat to breathe. Symptoms can range from mild, intermittent coughing to severe respiratory distress. An acute asthma attack is an emergency. Diagnosis involves ruling out other causes of respiratory issues, often with chest X-rays to look for characteristic patterns, blood tests, and sometimes airway washes. Treatment focuses on reducing exposure to triggers and managing inflammation and airway constriction with medications, often corticosteroids (oral or inhaled) and bronchodilators. Long-term management is typically required, and owners should be vigilant for signs of worsening breathing.