The Cat Is Breathing Badly: What Should I Do?
If we talk about cats, we are referring to one of the most common pets. It should be known that, unlike other animals, if a cat breathes badly we could be facing a very high threat to its health. Here are some of the possible causes and how to quickly deal with this situation.
How do cats breathe?
Before delving into the causes and solutions related to breathing difficulties in cats, it is important to know how cats breathe. This way, if we detect abnormal behavior, we can identify it and act quickly.
Unlike other mammals, such as dogs or humans, cats only get air through their nose. The respiratory tract of cats is divided into two parts: upper and lower. This means that, under no circumstances, the mouth is part of the feline respiratory mechanism.
Therefore, to understand if a cat is breathing badly, it is very important to learn to identify one of the following symptoms:
- Try breathing with your mouth open.
- His breathing is unstable or very fast.
- Often there are coughs or continuous sneezing.
- Other symptoms are visible malaise, fever or the presence of nasal discharge.
It is therefore necessary to check your cat very carefully. If you notice that any of these symptoms occur relatively frequently, it is essential to act promptly. The best solution is to see a veterinarian immediately.
The cat breathes badly: possible causes
There are numerous causes that can affect our cat’s breathing. One of the main and most common reasons is the so-called feline respiratory complex. This term was coined to indicate a number of diseases that can attack the respiratory system. It is normally caused by two viruses: herpesvirus and feline calicivirus or CFV.
The target of the attack of these viruses is the upper respiratory tract which includes the eyes, nose, mouth, tongue and throat. This causes that, apart from the difficulty in breathing, irritation of the affected areas occurs. In turn, the irritation will cause the animal to excrete more saliva, mucus or tears to try to relieve the discomfort. However, the secretion of humors also poses a greater risk of infecting other animals.
This type of transmission makes young cats who have lived in groups more vulnerable. If not treated in time, the feline respiratory complex can even be deadly.
Feline asthma is another of the most common causes of respiratory distress in cats. It is usually caused by inflammation of the bronchi, due to a harmful or irritating product. Feline asthma is characterized by breathing difficulties, intense coughing and breathing noise.
As we have already mentioned above, there are many other causes behind the breathing difficulties. Here we offer you a small summary:
- Allergies in cats can undoubtedly affect the normal breathing of our cat.
- There are some parasites, such as lung worms, which attack the respiratory system.
- If our cat has accidentally ingested a foreign body, his breathing could be impaired.
If my cat is breathing badly, what should I do?
The best solution for any of these conditions is to immediately take the animal to our trusted veterinary center. Many of these conditions can be very serious, so the sooner you go to a doctor, the more likely your cat will recover.
Once you have taken your cat to the vet’s office, and depending on the type of condition, the doctor will take the necessary steps to treat. In some cases, antibiotics or other special medications, such as inhalers, will be required for feline asthma.
From the owners point of view there is not much else to do, except for some preventive measures that can help strengthen our cat’s immune system : give adequate food, follow an updated vaccination card, give daily care and constant attention. towards our feline.
A good observation of our cat will allow us to act promptly.
