Creature feature

Can cats have asthma? My cat Maxwell wheezes and sometimes has a cough. I’m worried about him.

Cats can have asthma, but the symptoms mimic those of other conditions and diseases so it’s sometimes misdiagnosed as pneumonia, congestive heart failure or heartworms.

Only 1 percent of the cat population in the United States actually has asthma, the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University reports in the December issue of “Catnip,” its newsletter for cat owners. Asthma generally affects cats from ages 2 to 8. While any cat can develop asthma, Himalayan and Siamese breeds are most at risk.

The symptoms of asthma include open-mouthed, labored breathing, nonproductive coughs (no hairball or mucus, in other words), rapid breathing and wheezing or “musical sighing sounds,” according to VeterinaryPartner.com.

“First, excess mucus forms, then the airway walls swell with inflammation and can actually ulcerate, and finally the airway muscles go into spasm, which leads to constriction.” At this point, the signs are obvious although all symptoms don’t always occur together.

The “Catnip” article notes that cats in asthmatic distress have a distinct posture: “They crouch close to the ground with hunched shoulders and an extended neck.” Also, when an asthmatic cat begins coughing, the bout can last more than five minutes.

There are two types of feline asthma. In one, they have reversible bronchoconstriction (constriction of the airways) while the other involves more chronic inflammation. Symptoms and treatments for both are the same.

If you think your cat has asthma, you should take her to the veterinarian for an examination. The diagnosis (which could cost up to $500) may include tests that don’t specifically reveal allergies but are necessary to rule out other causes of the symptoms such as heartworms or an infection.

The veterinarian will probably do a complete blood count and chemistry profile to look for signs of infection, assess kidney and liver function, and check electrolyte levels. The exam will include a chest X-ray that could support a diagnosis of asthma as well as rule out heartworms, lung cancer, pneumonia, lungworms and respiratory infection.

There’s no cure for asthma, experts say, but there are treatments. Anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids reduce inflammation, dilate the airways and curb symptoms. Bronchodilators also help by opening the airways so the cat can breathe more easily.

Anti-inflammatories are offered as pills (prednisolone) and injections (Depo Medrol), as well as an inhalant (fluticasone). Bronchodilators are given via pill (terbutaline), inhalation (albuterol) or aerosol chamber; these are recommended only for cats with the most severe airway constriction.

Cat owners can help their asthmatic cats by making some changes in their environment, such as not using scented, high-dust clay forms of cat litter. “Catnip” also suggests avoiding: Smoke from fireplaces, cigarettes, cigars and scented candles. “Tobacco smoke is thought to be a major trigger and even lingering smoke can cause an attack.”Pollen from trees and flowers. Keep the windows closed and the air conditioning running during pollen season.

Stress. Changes in daily routines may worsen a cat’s condition. When you have visitors, it may be necessary to move the cat and his food, water and litter box to a spare room.

Excess body weight, which makes it harder for cats to breathe.

Most cats respond well to treatment, but how much it helps depends upon the severity of the disease, how long a cat had the disease before it was diagnosed and the underlying cause. Also, if the trigger turns out to be something such as tobacco smoke or pollen, keeping these things away from the cat could keep him free of symptoms.

Family, Pages 38 on 02/23/2011

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