Air trapped in the constricted airways may also cause the lungs to become overinflated and appear larger than normal in a radiograph. In cats with asthma, radiographs often – but not always – reveal a characteristic bright branching pattern along the airways that is created by the accumulation of inflammatory cells ( Figure 3). When it comes to diagnosing feline asthma, a picture is worth a thousand words, so veterinarians employ radiographs (X-rays), computed tomography (CT), and bronchoscopy to see inside a cat’s lungs and evaluate their condition. If a veterinarian suspects your cat may have asthma, he or she will take into account the cat’s health history as well as the results of imaging studies, microscopic evaluation of the cells in the cat’s airway secretions (cytology), and in some cases, blood and allergy testing. Instead, veterinarians rely on information gathering and testing to arrive at a diagnosis. There is no single, specific test that can definitively diagnose feline asthma. During an asthma attack, many cats hunch their body close to the ground and extend their necks forward in a characteristic posture ( Figure 2). These signs may happen spontaneously or they may be elicited by pressing lightly on the cat’s throat area. These signs can vary in intensity, ranging from acute respiratory crises to chronic, low-grade coughing, elevated respiratory rate, or increased respiratory effort. It doesn’t appear that one sex is more susceptible to asthma, and although some studies suggest that Siamese cats may be predisposed to asthma, this has not been definitively proven.Ĭats suffering from asthma may show signs of difficulty breathing, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing or hacking, open-mouthed breathing, or vomiting. The average age of cats diagnosed with asthma is between 4 and 5 years. All these processes limit the ability of air to move through the airways and cause the cat to experience difficulty breathing.

As a result, the diameter of the airways may decrease and mucus may accumulate within the passages ( Figure 1). These immune cells then trigger the production of substances that promote inflammation, a condition that results in irritation, swelling, and reactive constriction of the airways. When the cat is exposed to that antigen again, these antibodies recognize the allergen and start a cascade of events that bring many different types of immune cells to the airways. When a susceptible cat first inhales an allergen, her system creates specific antibodies to target that antigen. Lung Ailments: A Widespread Source of Feline WoeĪsthma is a disease of the lower airways of the lungs that affects between 1 and 5% of cats.Īlthough there is some debate about the definition, most clinicians and researchers agree that feline asthma is caused by an allergic reaction to inhaled allergens, particles that stimulate a cat’s immune system. Feline Asthma: A Risky Business for Many Cats

X ray of cat paw