Causes Of Coughing In Cats
There are several different ailments that can bring about a cough. The causes can range from mild to severe. A few of the causes are listed below:
- Tracheal irritation/collapse
- Fluid accumulation
- Upper/lower respiratory tract disease
- Asthma
- Parasitic worms
- Chest/lung tumors
- Nasopharyngeal polyps
- Heart disease
How To Help Your Vet
Give them detailed information about the cough:
- Its quality: Does it sound wet or dry?
- Timing: When it happens at night, that’s often a sign of fluid in the lungs or heart failure.
- Triggers: If your cat coughs after exercise, they might have heart disease. If it happens after a meal, it could mean problems with their larynx or esophagus.
Knowing this can help your vet pinpoint the most likely causes, choose tests to confirm a diagnosis, and prescribe the best treatment.
Lung Disease Or Infection
If your kitten came from a shelter or a place where a lot of cats live, it is likely that your pet may have caught an airborne, highly infectious disease. While most frequently found in dogs, felines can get kennel cough, or Bordetella bronchiseptica, as well. In this case, a developing symptom can be a dry hacking or honking cough, or even retching. Runny or stuffed noses, lethargy, and fever are other symptoms of this disease.
Outdoor kittens are sometimes susceptible to a lung infection from soil fungus, which can vary from region to region. You may want to check this out with a local vet if the cough is prolonged and seems correlated to outdoor activity.
Bad respiratory system diseases can evolve to cases of pneumonia or may even cause congestive heart failure. These are more serious cases in which case your kitten should be taken to a specialist or veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. Its better to be safe than sorry, and getting that initial check-up can prevent the disease from worsening while waiting to see if it will go away on its own.
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Why Is Your Kitten Coughing
- May 15, 2017
- Fact Checked
Just like humans, there are a wide range of factors that can cause your kitten to cough. Sneezing and coughing infrequently may not be a big deal. However, milder cases of coughing may be due to things as simple as a common cold or allergies. The most common case of coughing usually points to asthma, which is also a common respiratory disorder that humans have.
Kittens often respond to stress with Upper Respiratory Infection , which easily occurs in kittens who have just moved homes from the shelter to a new house. This is completely normal, and can be easily treated with greater care and attention to the way your kitten behaves over both short and long periods of time.
More serious reasons why your cat is coughing could be anything from more serious infections to pneumonia. When reading about possible causes, it is important to consider multiple factors like the intensity and breadth of the cough in order to determine its meaning as a symptom.
Why Is My Cat Sneezing So Much
As already discussed, sneezing is a natural phenomenon in response to various agents and irritants. However, its always better to keep a check on your cats and notice what makes them do it, especially if its not occasional sneezing. To do so, you need to observe the patterns to rule out the leading cause, which may include any irritant in the air, infection, or any underlying condition.
For a keen observation, notice whether your cat sneezes all day long or at any particular time? Does it only happen in a specific room or during any activity at home? Further, do check whether it is due to an irritant such as home cleaner, perfume, or dust or not? So, just by observing all this, you may recognize the cause behind it. So, try to avoid it in front of your cat to protect it from further consequences.
However, suppose you notice associated symptoms such as discharge from the nose, eyes, or ear, loss of appetite, or laziness in your cat. In that case, this is something to worry about, and you definitely get a veterinary appointment for your cat.
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Treating Cat Asthma And Respiratory Symptoms
If your cat has ongoing respiratory symptoms, there is a chance that they are likely to need some form of treatment. Treating respiratory conditions usually comes down to regular medication. In some cases for cat asthma, some puffers slide on over their snout and allow you to slowly puff medication into the chamber. These are usually reserved for cases of severe asthma, but they can be one of the most effective treatment options.
Cough Medicine For Cats
Two medications that treat coughing in cats are known as dextromethorphan and guaifenesin. These medications can be found over the counter and in human medications. These are rarely recommended for cats as they are largely ineffective and do not treat the cause of the cough which can worsen with time.
If your cat is coughing, cough medicine is not recommended. He needs to be seen by a veterinarian.
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My Cat Is Sneezing And Coughing
Any sign that your beloved feline is under the weather can make you feel as uneasy as she seems, and anyone asking why my cat is sneezing and coughing is right to look into it. Some of the symptoms lead to nothing, but this is not always the case. The odd sneeze or cough may be a reaction to something in the air, but any continuation is worth examining closer.
So, when do you need to get expert attention for a cat that is sneezing and coughing? Lets start with the sneezing:
What Can I Do To Help
Giving the veterinary surgeon a comprehensive idea about the cough would help him/her point out the cause quickly and recommend the best possible treatment. Here are ways you can help.
1. Tell the vet about the quality of the cough, whether it sounds more of:
- Dry cough
2. Let the vet know if the cough is accompanied by:
- Wheezing
- Weight loss
3. Inform your vet when the coughing occurred and what prompted it. The time of the day and the activity beforehand will help with the diagnosis.
So, should you be worried about your cat coughing? Yes, you definitely should! Cat coughing is not a sign you should disregard! Know more about preventive measures for different cat health concerns here!
Are you raring to bring a new pet home? Take a look at these cats for adoption or for sale!
Emily Taylor
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Coughing In Cats: Home Care
Coughing in cats can be a symptom of a number of medical conditions. If youre not sure whats causing the coughing, consider visiting the vet. You can also help your cat with home treatments, such as:
Giving your cat a steam bath: Alternatively, you can try giving your cat a bath with a mixture of water and a teaspoon of baking soda.
Giving your cat a cough syrup: Cough syrups can help cats with a cough.
Giving your cat a steam bath: You can try giving your cat a bath with a mixture also.
Why Does My Cat Keep Sneezing And Coughing
Cat sneezing and coughing may be caused by a wide range of health problems, but most typically, these symptoms are indicative for respiratory infections or inhalant allergies. In some cases, the sneezing and the coughing may go away without medication however, if these symptoms persist, you should consult your vet.
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When Should You Visit The Vet If Your Cat Is Coughing
A cat cough can have several different causes, so it can be difficult to know when to act. The occasional cough with no other symptoms or changes in behavior can be harmless. If at any point the occasional cough increases in frequency or other changes in behavior are noted, it is best to see your veterinarian to rule out any possible causes.
Since many of the conditions causing coughing in cats can be managed or treated, its best to act sooner than later if you have any concerns.
What If My Cat Is Coughing Up Blood
While the occasional cough in an otherwise healthy cat is no cause to panic, a cat coughing up blood is a potential emergency.
All of the following can cause a cat to cough up blood:
-
Trauma
-
Cancers that erode into the blood vessels
-
Severe infections
-
Exposure to poisons that hinder normal blood clotting
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Tricky Conditions You Might Think Are Hairballs
If you share your life with a cat, or two, or five, you have almost certainly heard your cat making a very troubled wheezing, coughing, retching sound that you assumed to be a hairball. Sometimes though, no hairball is produced then you ask Could it be something else? Well yes it could. Lets take a look a 5 things that you may think are hairballs.1. AsthmaSome cats that we may think have hairballs may actually have serious respiratory problems. Frequent or prolonged episodes of coughing may in fact be the result of serious respiratory conditions such as feline asthma. If you listen closely, you may be able to detect a wheezing sound as the cat exhales.Feline asthma can be treated using systemic corticosteroids or administration of an inhalant medication as is used in people.
2. Feline heartworm diseaseHARD describes a lung disease caused by heartworms in cats. Yes, you read that correctly lung disease. Adult worms, if present, tend to reside in the blood vessels of the infected cats lungs. Additionally, developing immature worms can set off a severe, inflammatory response in the smaller lung blood vessels, in the airways and in the lung tissue itself1.
Resources:
Wheezing Cough Heartworm & Asthma
If your cats cough is wheezy youre bound to be wondering whats wrong with them. Can they breathe alright? How can you help them?
A wet rattling or high-pitched whistling sound while inhaling is a wheezing cough, which can be caused by:
Heartworm
Heartworm is an especially worrying cause of coughing in cats.
Its caused by a parasitic worm that is spread via mosquitoes and burrows into your cats arteries, causing your cat to cough and have difficulty breathing .
Heartworm is very rare in cats and far more common in dogs. But, it is still possible, so dont rule out heartworm if your cat is wheezing and coughing incessantly.
Treatment for Heartworm
Of course, prevention is always ideal, but in the case that your cat develops heartworm, the treatment will be a combination of prevention and medication based on symptoms.
When dogs get heartworm they can be treated with an arsenic-based medication yeah, its that serious. This method of eradication is too dangerous for cats.
Instead of the harsh arsenic eradicator, veterinarians take a different route for cats:
- Steroids are given to reduce inflammation and to minimize the formation of clots or thrombosis
- Your veterinarian will prescribe a preventative heartworm medication to kill the chance of reproduction.
- A cat will be monitored for allergic reactions to preventative
- Adult heartworms will die within 2-3 years of living in their host
Feline Asthma
Symptoms of feline asthma include:
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Simple Steps To Minimize The Impact Of Home Heating On Your Cat
- Change or clean your furnace filter see this easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide from Consumer Reports or this brief YouTube video.
- Frequently vacuum and clean carpets
- Add a room humidifier or a pan of water to the top of the radiator or wood/pellet stove . Just be sure to keep any humidifiers clean and disinfected.
- Add a room or home air purifier more on air purifiers in this Wikipedia article
- Have your HVAC duct work cleaned this one is definitely more involved, and more expensive, as youll need to get a professional service provider in. But it might help, depending on how old your HVAC unit is and if/when the duct work was last cleaned.
Prevention Of Cat Hairballs
Spotting that your cat may be at risk of hairballs, either because of having particularly long hair or because they do not allow you to brush them, is the first step to preventing them. If your cat doesnt enjoy being groomed, you may have more success with gentler grooming options like grooming gloves, or other soft handheld tools that replicate being petted and stroked rather than groomed.
Should grooming be off the cards all together, various products can help to break down the furballs or help lubricate their passage through the guts. Speak to your veterinarian if you think that your cat would benefit from one of these options.
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Home Care For Sneezing Cats
Cats are adorable and lovable pets, but they sometimes make weird noises. A cats sneeze is a sound thats both adorable and alarming. If youve ever heard your cat sneeze, youve probably asked yourself, whats going on?
When a cat sneezes, it usually means that something isnt right. But dont worry with the right home care, your sneezing cat will be back to normal in no time.
If your cat is sneezing, its best to wait it out and see if the sneezing stops. You can also offer your cat a small amount of water to see if she drinks it. If your cat isnt interested in food or water, you can try giving her a warm bath to see if it perks her up. If your cat continues to sneeze, its time to call the vet.
Get Rid Of Odors And Dust
Cats are very sensitive to strong smells, odors, and dust. If you notice your cat coughing a lot, try to reduce any incense, smoke, or strong detergent odors at home. Thoroughly clean and vacuum your carpets, hardwood floors, blinds, curtains, and couches. Regularly wash the bedding where your kitty sleeps, too, even if that means your own bed. Still hear your little buddy coughing? An air filter may help to reduce the dust and pollen in the air.
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Why Is My Cat Coughing
Regardless the cause, watching your cat cough can be upsetting. Often when cats are coughing they become agitated and apprehensive, making it appear as if each cough will be their last.
If your kitty has an ongoing or severe cough, it’s important to have your cat examined by a vet right away so they are able to diagnose and treat the cause of your cat’s coughing. The nature of your cat’s cough along with other findings can help your vet to diagnose the underlying cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Why Does My Kitten Sneeze All The Time
Almost anything that irritates or tickles a cats nose can trigger a sneeze, but if your cat or kitten sneezes a lot you may start to worry that theres something wrong. If sneezing is the only symptom your cat displaysi.e., no discharge from eyes or nose, good appetite, no change in behavior or activity levelthen
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Is It Normal For Cats To Pant
Panting in cats is not normal, but it may occur if your kitty has been overactive, stressed, or overheated. In most cases, panting can be alleviated if there is a chance to calm down or cool down and rest. Stress is one of the more common causes of panting in healthy cats and can be treated by removing the cat from the source of tension. But, if you notice panting in your cat on one or more occasions, contact your veterinarian to rule out any health issues.
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Why Does My Cat Cough
Coughing can occur because of the overproduction of mucous, which drains down the throat. However, just because your cat coughs, does not mean they have an upper respiratory infection.
Like people, cats can cough for other reasons besides an infection, such as allergies or clearing something from the throat. If youre concerned about your cats cough, see your veterinarian who can help diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate treatment.
On a side note, you should know that cats dont cough because of hairballs. Hairballs develop in the digestive tract, not the respiratory system, and are vomited up. Both vomiting and coughing can cause cats to heave and make similar sounds, so it can be hard for cat parents to tell the difference.
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Upper Respiratory Infections Or Snuffles
The respiratory tract consists of the nose, throat, sinuses, windpipe and lungs. A cats nose, throat and sinuses are susceptible to a number of different viral and bacterial infections. Feline calicivirus and herpes virus are two of the most common viruses causing upper respiratory infections in cats. Both viruses are transmitted through sneezing, coughing, grooming or sharing food and water bowls. The viral infections can be complicated by secondary bacterial infections.
The symptoms of snuffles in cats are varied and may include sneezing, upper respiratory congestion, runny noses and teary eyes, coughing, gagging, drooling, fever, a loss of, or decreased appetite, rapid breathing, and ulcers in the mouth. Cats with sniffles may develop conjunctivitis in their eyes have open-mouthed breathing and they may be depressed. Age, vaccination status and physical condition all play a role in a cats susceptibility, but multi-cat households and shelters are most at risk. Cats who have recovered from the viruses may become life-long carriers.
Taking your cat to the vet when you suspect snuffles is important. In severe cases, cats may become dehydrated and require intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Some cats may recover by themselves but some may require antibiotics and other medications. Cats should be isolated from others as the viruses are very contagious.