What Does Cat Wheezing Signify?
A cat wheezing generally means the cat needs medical attention. There are a number of things that can cause the wheezing and not all of them are serious, but some are. The situation is generally more serious if the condition appears or be chronic, or at the very least fairly frequent. A one time occurrence, or a cat wheezing only in certain times or circumstances, is more apt to mean that something in the air, such as dust or pollen, may be irritating the cat, and it can be a transitory thing.
A Few Less Serious Causes – Cats can also suffer from a sinus infection, just as you and I can, and a virus may be the culprit. In such cases, treatment may not be required unless the wheezing persists. If the wheezing does persist, take the cat to the veterinarian as, even though nothing serious may be wrong, the wheezing often causes great discomfort to the cat. A simple medication may be all that’s required. There are situations in which the only way to stop the wheezing may be to eliminate the source, which can be something the cat is inhaling. Second-hand smoke can irritate the sinuses and lungs of a cat just as the smoke can affect our well being. The wheezing may be the result of low humidity, and placing a humidifier in a room where the cat spends much of its time can be helpful. Even if kitty fears the vacuum cleaner, and many do, vacuuming the house often enough to keep the dust down can sometimes help. Check the kitty litter box as well. Some brands of kitty litter generate a good deal of dust when used and this could be the source of irritation.
A cat wheezing can also signify a cat that is stressed. It’s been proven that stress can sometimes cause a cat to wheeze, and the wheezing subsists when whatever triggered the stressful situation has gone away or otherwise been resolved.
Heart, Lungs, And Asthma – Allergies and particles inhaled are cat wheezing triggers then, but there are some more serious causes, which means that the wheezing should never be ignored. One cause is an infestation of either heart worms or lung worms and other lung parasites. These situations are almost always resolved through appropriate oral medication, or shots for cats that refuse to take oral medications. The most serious cause of cat wheezing though, and one that is often difficult to combat is asthma, feline asthma to be precise. A cat suffering from feline asthma, experiences chronic inflammation of the bronchial walls in the lungs, causing the tissues lining those walls to react strongly to certain viruses, or allergens, causing further inflammation and secretion of mucous, which combine to restrict the openings in the air passages. There are any number of things, including ingredients in some foot products, that can trigger an asthma attack.
Treatments For Feline Asthma – Corticosteroid, is the treatment of choice when a cat has been diagnosed with feline asthma. Steroids are often prescribed to confirm the diagnosis, as there are other disorders that show symptoms similar to feline asthma. A reduction in the amount and severity of cat wheezing once steroids are administered will usually confirm feline asthma as the source of the problem. Other medications may be given to promote bronchodilation, enlargement of the air passages. Periactin is also often prescribed to combat muscle spasms in the bronchioles, which often trigger a bout of wheezing.
Once a cat is given medication for feline asthma, it often must take that medication for the remainder of its life. Vaccines are also available, so it pays to check with a veterinarian to see which course of action makes the best sense. There are even homeopathic remedies that appear to be beneficial in the treatment of feline asthma, but even here, it’s better to trust the advice of the veterinarian, than to experiment with various remedies on a cat that just wants some relief.
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