Feline Bronchitis

Feline bronchitis or bronchial asthma is a disease that consists of an inflammation of the respiratory tract. These pathways, called bronchi or bronchioles, allow air to be carried in and out of the alveoli. The inflammation of the respiratory tract gives rise to an excess of secretions and the final result is the drastic reduction of the ability to carry oxygen to the alveoli and, from there, to the rest of the body. Sometimes it can also involve inflammation of the trachea.

This disease can arise suddenly, taking the name of acute bronchitis, or it can appear slowly and progressively, taking the name of chronic bronchitis. In this post we want to explain to you what this disease that often affects cats consists of.

Symptoms

Bronchitis can be acute and associated with reversible changes in the structure of the respiratory tract, or it can be chronic (lasting two to three months) and can involve a permanent and irreversible change in the airways. Bronchitis and asthma can appear at the same time and seriously affect your cat’s health.

Chronic bronchitis can be brought on by a bacterial infection, hypersensitivity disorders, parasites, or continuous inhalation of airway irritants .

Cats suffering from chronic bronchitis are used to coughing: this is usually a dry cough and it is not uncommon to confuse it, sometimes, with nausea or an attempt to vomit or expel a hairball. This cough can get greasy over time.

Cats with bronchitis have a tendency to bend down and crank their necks to cough. The strongest episodes of coughing are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sneezing.

Other symptoms of feline bronchitis can be:

• foamy salivation
• lethargy
• sneezing 
• decrease in activity level
• a runny nose
• lack of appetite
• weight loss
• temperature
• watery eyes
• exercise intolerance
• respiratory difficulties

Bronchitis is a disease that has been found in all cat breeds. However, Siamese cats appear to be more likely than other breeds to develop this disorder. In general it has also been observed that females have a tendency to get sick more. Any sign of respiratory distress must always be taken seriously and at the slightest warning it is best to take your cat to the vet for a complete check-up.

We also advise you to keep an eye on when the cough starts and how often your cat coughs, as well as any changes you may observe in his behavior: these are all information that will help your vet at the time of the visit.

Care options for cats with bronchitis

Feline bronchitis is diagnosed by making a chest x-ray. Bronchoalveolar lavage (also known as BAL) may also be recommended, however it is a procedure that requires the use of anesthesia, so if the animal’s condition is critical, this examination is to be excluded because anesthesia involves a greater risk of death.

Once these tests are done, the results are sent to a laboratory which will determine if there is or if there is a change at the cellular level in the lungs.

In cats, any respiratory problem must be treated without wasting time. These animals are usually not out of breath or coughing, so these respiratory disorders should be evaluated immediately by your veterinarian.

If your cat has a cough or suffers from some respiratory tract abnormality, you will need to take precautions to try to reduce the stress factors in the surrounding environment : your cat will need a quiet, cool, comfortable and safe environment, accompanied good food and nutritional support and supplemental oxygen if necessary.

Cats with bronchitis caused by a viral infection can recover on their own within a week or two. Antibiotics are very effective in cases of bacterial bronchitis.

On the other hand, cats suffering from a respiratory infection caused by parasites will need specific and individualized care. When bronchitis is caused by chronic feline asthma, extra attention is needed: asthma will need to be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids. Unfortunately, feline bronchitis can be fatal if left untreated.

Persistent coughing  can cause permanent damage to the lining of cats’ airways, and if it gets worse it can impair their ability to feed. Over time, bronchitis can also cause damage to your cat’s immune system, making her respiratory tract weaker and more sensitive and, consequently, more prone to viral and bacterial infections. For this reason, if you notice that your little friend has some of the symptoms described in this article, do not hesitate to take him to the vet.