Cat Asthma Symptoms: What I Learned From Nelly’s Asthma
When Nelly started coughing, I assumed it was a hairball and nothing to worry about. But when the cough continued once daily over multiple days, I knew she had to see her veterinarian.
Nelly was diagnosed with cat asthma.
I am sharing my experience navigating feline asthma with Nelly in hopes that it may help someone else facing a similar situation. This article is based on my experience as a cat mom and is not medical advice!
Cat asthma symptoms
According to the Cornell University Feline Health Center common cat asthma symptoms may include:
- Persistent coughing or hacking
- Wheezing or whistling breathing
- Rapid breathing or increased effort to breathe
- Open-mouth breathing
- Hunched posture with the neck extended forward
- Weakness or lethargy
The coughing can sound a lot like a hairball, which is why it is so easy to miss at first. If the symptoms come and go, that still matters. Feline asthma can be chronic and flare up in episodes.
In Nelly's case, I observed coughing, increased respiratory effort, and mild wheezing.
If your cat keeps coughing, even if it's once per day, it's worth discussing with your veterinarian.
What causes feline asthma?
The University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center describes feline asthma as an inflammatory airway disease that affects the lungs and breathing. "The disease is triggered by breathing in environmental particles that trigger an allergic reaction. Once these allergens are inhaled, they are recognized by the immune system and inflammation begins. Inflammatory cells are recruited to the airway and produce chemicals that make the inflammation even worse."
Some common triggers are spring pollen, smoke, and perfume. Other triggers can be hard to pin down, which is why tracking environmental changes and symptoms is so helpful.
Nelly's vet believes that as the weather warmed up this spring, and Nelly began to spend time on the screened in deck, pollen and seasonal allergens triggered her asthma symptoms.
How Nelly was diagnosed
I recorded Nelly’s coughing on video, so that I could show her vet exactly what was going on. I also made note of when it began and how often it happened.
Her veterinarian listened to my explanation of Nelly's symptoms, watched the videos, and recommended a chest X-ray, bloodwork, and a fecal test.
Based on the symptoms, video, physical exam, and X-ray, Nelly was diagnosed with asthma. The fecal test was done out of caution to rule out parasites that can cause coughing.
How cat asthma is treated
Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation and helping the cat breathe more comfortably. Cornell Feline Health Center notes that veterinarians commonly prescribe corticosteroids and, in some cases, bronchodilators to open the airways and manage feline asthma.
The earlier feline asthma is addressed, the better the outcome usually is. Many cats can live comfortably with the right treatment and monitoring.
What else can cause cat coughing?
Although feline asthma is a common cause of chronic coughing in cats, it is not the only possibility. Cats can also cough from allergies, respiratory infection, heart disease, foreign material in the airways, and parasites (including heartworm and lungworm).
That is why a coughing cat should be examined by a veterinarian. With the right testing, a veterinarian can identify and/ or ruled out the different causes and then treat accordingly.
What helps Nelly at home
While veterinary treatment is the foundation of asthma management, I've also focused on reducing environmental irritants at home and providing Nelly with places to rest.
- I use these stainless steel cat bowls, which are hypoallergenic and easy to fully sanitize.
- She likes to relax in her cat scratcher house.
- I use unscented cat litter and unscented detergent to avoid perfumes.
Here is Nelly in her cat scratcher house!
Nelly’s asthma timeline
This section will stay updated as I manage Nelly's asthma over time.
April 3
Nelly woke me up in the middle of the night with a loud coughing spell. At first, I thought it was a hairball, but nothing came up.
April 8
The coughing was still happening about once per day, so I began tracking her respiratory rate, took videos of her coughing, and scheduled her vet appointment.
April 16
Nelly had her vet appointment. After seeing the coughing videos, her veterinarian suspected asthma. Nelly had a physical exam, chest X-ray, bloodwork, and a fecal test to gain more information and rule out other conditions.
Her X-ray showed inflamed bronchioles, so she started a corticosteroid medication right away.
April 16 - May 5
Nelly's fecal test came back normal, so parasites, including heartworm and lungworm, were ruled out. Her bloodwork came back normal except for elevated eosinophils which is common with asthma.
Nelly was on her corticosteroid medication twice daily for three days, then once daily for one week, and then every other day for one week.
Since beginning her treatment, Nelly has only had one isolated cough (and no repeated coughing episodes). Thank goodness!
Future updates
I will add any medication changes, flare-ups, follow-up visits, or new patterns here as we continue monitoring her progress.
My hope is that she may only get triggered in the spring versus year-round.
For now, she's breathing easy with her big brother Lewie.
FAQ
Why is my cat coughing?
Cats can cough from hairballs, asthma, allergies, respiratory infection, heart disease, foreign material in the airways, irritation from inhaled substances, and parasites (including heartworm and lungworm). Given the many causes, it's important to visit your veterinarian.
Can cats have asthma?
Yes, cats can have asthma. It is a lower-airway disease that can cause coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulty.
Does my cat have asthma?
If your cat keeps coughing, wheezing, or breathing with effort, asthma is possible. See a vet for a diagnosis and to rule out other potential causes.
How to help a cat with asthma?
Work with your veterinarian on a treatment plan, which can include corticosteroids and, in some cases, bronchodilators. Reduce common triggers like smoke, dust, perfumes, and strong scents.
What does cat asthma sound like?
Cat asthma often sounds like a dry cough, hacking, or wheezing. It is sometimes mistaken for a hairball.
How often do cats have asthma attacks?
Some cats have occasional flare-ups, while others have more frequent attacks. The timing often depends on triggers and how well the asthma is managed.
Can I help a cat with an asthma attack?
Yes, visit your veterinarian to learn how best to manage your cat's asthma. If your cat is struggling to breathe or breathing with an open mouth, treat it as an emergency and get veterinary help right away.
What triggers asthma in cats?
Common triggers that cause cat asthma symptoms include dust, pollen, mold, smoke, scented products, and other airborne irritants. Triggers can vary from cat to cat.
Does my cat have asthma or a hairball?
A cat with asthma may cough in a way that looks very similar to trying to bring up a hairball. The difference is that asthma usually keeps repeating, while a true hairball episode often ends with vomiting or the hairball itself.
Does my cat have allergies or asthma?
Cat allergy symptoms are most often skin-related, including itching, excessive grooming, redness, scabs, hair loss. If the allergy is food related, sometimes vomiting or diarrhea may occur.
Respiratory symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or wheezing are less common with ordinary allergies and are more often linked to asthma or another issue.
Can feline asthma be cured?
Feline asthma is a chronic, lifelong condition with no cure. It can be managed, and most cats do very well with the right treatment plan.
What should I do if my cat keeps coughing?
Record a video if you can and make a vet appointment. A video can help your veterinarian understand what is happening even if the symptoms stop before the visit.
Thanks for learning about Nelly's story. See her favorite cat products here and check back for updates on her asthma.
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