Cat Having Asthma Attack What To Do

When an asthma attack occurs these passageways thicken and constrict making it very difficult for a cat to breathe.

Cat having asthma attack what to do.

If this happens it s very important to call the vet immediately. An asthma attack is fairly easy to spot. They will be unable to do anything else and in extreme cases can start panting look frightened and start coughing up mucus as well as drooling. Cats can produce numerous allergens that can trigger asthma symptoms including.

A cat having an asthma attack will hunch its body toward the ground and extend its neck forward. You ll notice rapid open mouthed breathing accompanied by wheezing and often by forced exhalations. With asthma the cat s body will be hunched lower to the ground and its neck and head will be extended out and down in an effort to clear the airway of mucus. This often leads to respiratory distress which can become grave in a matter of minutes.

Dead skin flakes that originate around a cat s sweat glands can float in the air stick to dust particles. Bronchioles in a normal lung allow air to pass freely asthmatic bronchioles are contricted and may accumulate fluid in the passages. A full blown asthma attack may at first resemble a cat trying to cough up a hairball or possibly choking on food. However this is a general sign of respiratory distress rather than specific to asthma.

After rescuing this big boy from the outdoors his previous owner s abandoned him we found him doing this strange cough. Cats suffering from asthma attacks often assume a characteristic crouched posture and extend the head and neck forward while wheezing or coughing. Chest x ray of a cat with asthma notice the characteristic bright branching pattern. When your cat is having a full blown asthma attack breathing becomes difficult and your pet s sides will very visibly heave in and out.

With asthma attacks body posture is somewhat different. Because breathing is so severely restricted during an asthma attack the cat s gums and tongue may take on a bluish color. It didn t look like a. Even if you normally give your cat a long acting bronchodilator your vet may prescribe the albuterol so you can have it on hand for emergency situations.