What causes cats to cough? In cats, coughing is most often a sign of an inflammatory problem affecting the lower respiratory tract, especially some form of bronchitis. This inflammation is often due to an infection, particularly with viruses such as feline viral rhinotracheitis, or bacteria such as Bordetella.
Infrequent cat coughing is generally nothing to worry about in an otherwise healthy cat. Pay attention to more chronic or severe coughs, or those associated with other symptoms. If your cat has a severe or persistent cough, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
If your cat's cough is persistent, continues for more than a few days, or begins to worsen, take them to the vet. A cough that persists may be an indication of a respiratory infection or asthma.
Like humans, dogs, and other animals, cats sometimes cough. Coughing can be a reaction to something, such as dust or a foreign object, or indicate an underlying health concern. Coughing is a natural reflex that helps the respiratory tract clear out harmful particles and fluids for proper breathing.
Sometimes cats cough because they're hacking up a hairball. But if no hairball is produced, there's likely a more serious issue at play. Dry, wheezing coughs are often a sign of feline asthma, especially if the cough consistently occurs multiple times a week.
In cats, coughing is most often a sign of an inflammatory problem affecting the lower respiratory tract, especially some form of bronchitis. This inflammation is often due to an infection, particularly with viruses such as feline viral rhinotracheitis, or bacteria such as Bordetella.
Signs of lungworm infection range from moderate coughing with slightly increased breathing rates to severe, persistent coughing, labored breathing, and respiratory distress or failure. Infections with no visible signs can also occur.
Signs of asthma in cats include:
Gurgling sounds from throat. Persistent coughing or gagging.
What is an asthma cough sound? Most people with asthma have a dry cough, one that does not produce mucous. This happens when the airways constrict in response to an irritant and is a feature of asthma. As well as the cough there is often a high-pitched wheeze sound that is also caused by the constricted airway.
Coughing is a normal response to any irritation in your kitty's airways or throat. Even though it's a normal response, cats should not cough often or cough regularly.
Parasites. Heartworms, tapeworms or lungworms are common in cats and have been known to cause coughing. A parasitic infection that causes coughing is due to the parasite traveling through the blood stream and colonizing in and around the lungs.
The most common indication of kennel cough in cats and dogs is an unpleasant-sounding cough – dry hacking or honking noises sometimes followed by retching.
Bacterial pneumonia is more serious and often results in a gurgling sound when breathing and mucus or phlegm when coughing.
A bronchitis cough sounds like a rattle with a wheezing or whistling sound. As your condition progresses, you will first have a dry cough that can then progress towards coughing up white mucus.
Dr Mayank explains, “Allergic cough is characterized by a loud barking sound with intensity and force. It is caused by an irritation in your airways which is triggered by elements like pollen, cigarette smoking, air pollution, chemical fumes, dust and such.”
“If the initial signs of dyspnea are ignored,” he points out, “the condition can rapidly progress to the more severe stage. Then the cat may die unless emergency treatment is immediately obtained.” Precisely pinpointing asthma as the cause of a cat's chronic respiratory discomfort is challenging, says Dr.
The Prognosis for Cats with Asthma
What is the life expectancy of an asthmatic cat? Asthma in cats is an incurable and often progressive condition, which means that if your cat has asthma, he or she will likely have periodic flare-ups that range in severity from mild to life-threatening.
One way to tell the difference is to note your kitty's body posture, says The Spruce Pets. During an asthma attack, your cat will be hunched lower to the ground than she is when she's coughing up a hairball, with her head and neck fully extended in an attempt to take in more air.
Cats get lungworm from the environment. The parasite infects slugs, snails, frogs, lizards, cockroaches, birds, and rodents. Cats get infected when they drink water or eat animals infected with larvae.
Diagnosing lungworm can be tricky; your vet will carry out a number of diagnostic tests, such as taking blood and faeces samples to see if any eggs or larvae are present. They may also conduct a chest x-ray or insert a tiny camera into your dog's windpipe to find evidence of the parasite.
Ivermectin and fenbendazole are the most common medications used to treat lungworms in cats. Topical treatments with selamectin have also been used. When treating a cat for lungworms, patience is advised. It may require up to two months of treatment to completely eliminate the infection.
The virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals during close contact. Pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low.
This is also the infectious agent that causes kennel cough in cats. The bacteria that causes kennel cough is transmitted through nasal and oral secretions (coughing, sneezing, etc.), direct contact, and shared objects such as water bowls or toys.
Typical Symptoms of a Cat Cold
Runny nose. Congestion leading to open mouth breathing. Excessive coughing.