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Feline Asthma Overview
This page describes feline asthma. Other pages in this
section identify common symptoms, the steps veterinarians
use to diagnose it, and encouragement ideas
for caregivers.
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What is Feline Asthma?
Fritz says:
"As a cat, I define asthma as
difficulty in getting a good breath! It's very scary and tiring. Technically, this is because the small
passageways of my lungs (bronchi, bronchioles) are to some degree
inflamed and irritated. They are prone to collapse (like a
drinking straw in a thick milkshake). The degree of this irritation
comes and goes and can be suppressed
with medication, but it will always be with me."
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Here's what some web resources have to say about
feline asthma
- "Feline asthma is a common name for
feline bronchitis. There are many different underlying diseases and contributing
conditions that can cause the symptoms of bronchitis in cats." Dr. Margaret Muns, DVM
Feline
Asthma
- "Feline asthma is an immune-mediated disease characterized by symptoms ranging
from infrequent, hairball-like coughing, to sudden onsets of respiratory
distress (which veterinarians call "acute dyspnea"). Episodes are usually
triggered by an allergen or stress, and can be accompanied/followed by vomiting,
sneezing, or even wheezing like a human allergy sufferer. Respiratory signs may
be slow and deliberate (more abdominal breathing), to fast and labored."
Jennifer Reding, CFA Health Committee Feline
Asthma
- "Asthma is a recurring respiratory compromise that occurs when
the lung airways constrict either spontaneously or in response to stimuli which
normally should not cause a reaction. Excess mucus forms, airways swell with
inflammation and can actually ulcerate, and the airway muscles go into spasm
leading to constriction. Airway constriction leads to inability to draw a deep
breath, intolerance to exercise, coughing, and musical sighing sounds called
“wheezes.” Not all of these signs need be observed; sometimes only a low grade
chronic cough is the only sign but it should be remembered that an acute
asthmatic crisis can arise at any time and can represent a life-threatening
event." Mar Vista Animal Medical Center
Feline
Asthma
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Continue Reading at Symptoms
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