Asthma is a common problem for people nowadays, especially since the air we breath is filled with pollutants from cars, factories and fires. Pollutants such as these can cause chronic breathing problems and asthma attacks. Although it is often thought of to only affect humans, asthma can also affect cats. Cat asthma is usually caused by allergic bronchitis which is an allergic reaction in the lungs to things like germs or dust.
Asthma can cause your cat to have asthma attacks and they will start to have a hard time breathing and their tongue and gums may even turn blue. Don't try to give your cat CPR or mouth-to-mouth if you notice it having an asthma attack. Usually they will start having an asthma attack when they breathe heavily and wheeze.
If you find your cat having an asthma attack that is heavy, then you should bring your cat to a veterinarian. If your cat collapses or starts to have a blue mouth or gasps heavily for air, bring them to the animal hospital. Milder attacks like a few coughs or a little labored breathing don't require a vet's attention, but it is still important to be careful.
Other than having asthma attacks, most cats with asthma live normally and are relatively healthy. A way to tell that your cat has asthma is if they start to cough deeply for a while every so often. This may either be a sign of asthma or allergic bronchitis. Either way, you should have your cat checked by the veterinarian so that it can be diagnosed.
Bringing your cat to the vet early can help keep your cat from developing asthma and having permanently damaged lungs. Though, there are times when the lungs will already have been damaged and your cat will have asthma for its whole life.
If your cat has asthma then it is very important to create an environment in the house that will help lessen the pains of having asthma for your cat. One thing that you definitely need to stop right away is the cigarette smoke in your house. Secondhand smoke does not only cause problems for humans, but for pets as well. Secondhand smoke can cause an asthma attack for an asthmatic cat.
Other things can also cause asthma in cats such as perfumes and room fresheners. The extra chemicals in the air and all the new scents can be uncomfortable for your cat. Other things like paints and carpeting can also cause allergic reactions for your cat. If you want to make your house smell better, it is best to use natural ways like through flowers or potpourri.
A humidifier can also help make the air more humid and keep your cat's asthma down. Dry air can make your cat's air passages dry and cause it to cough and get an infection in their lungs. It is best to keep a humidifier going, especially when it is winter when the air can get quite dry.
By taking these precautions, you can easily help your cat suffering from cat asthma have a longer and more comfortable life.
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