Stemcellsafari: How Can I Help My Cat With Asthma?
Feline asthma in cats is caused by an allergic reaction to inhaled particles that stimulate the cat’s immune system. When a vulnerable cat first inhales an allergen, explicit antibodies are created to target that antigen. When the cat is subsequently exposed to that allergen a second time, these antibodies recognize the allergen and send many different types of immune cells to the airways.
These immune cells then produce materials that promote inflammation, and this causes irritation, swelling, and tightening of the airways. Consequently, the diameter of the airways may reduce and mucus may accrue within the passages thus limiting the ability of air to move through the airways and causing the cat to experience trouble breathing.
Feline asthma triggers
The most common cause of this feline disease is the inhalation of an allergen, although it can also be caused by increased stress levels. A few of the allergens that can trigger asthma attacks in cats include dust mites, grass, cigarette smoke, mold, pollen, household cleaning products, etc.
Feline asthma symptoms
Some common feline asthma symptoms include: rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, or increased effort to breathe, open mouth breathing, wheezing, blue lips and gums, persistent coughing or gagging, overall weakness, frothy mucus while coughing, gurgling sounds from the throat, increased swallowing.
It is also common for cats that suffer from asthma to breathe rapidly while sleeping. The normal breaths per minute for a cat that is sleeping is between twenty-four and thirty. If you observe that your feline is taking above forty breaths in a minute, it is imperative that you immediately contact your vet doctor for assistance.
Feline asthma treatment
Once asthma has been conclusively diagnosed by your vet, he or she will proceed with treatment. Treatment typically includes corticosteroid medications. Corticosteroids works by reducing inflammation in the lungs of your cat. Bronchodilators help to dilate the airways of the cat and allow them to breathe easier. Bronchodilators are not normally used alone because they do not treat the swelling that causes asthma attacks. They can both be prescribed by your vet doctor either as an inhaler, oral medication, or injection.
There are several hospitals like stemcellsafari, animal hospital in league city, veterinary clinic in league city that also use stem cell therapy to treat some feline diseases.
Feline asthma life expectancy
Feline asthma has no cure and it usually worsens as time goes on especially if not managed properly. This means that if your cat has asthma, they are likely to experience periodic flare-ups that will vary in intensity from mild to very severe.
For pet owners with cats that have asthma, all they need to do is to be extra careful and give the cat appropriate medications.
By doing all these, you can help your cat live a high-quality life for a very long period.