COUGHING
Do cats cough?
Cats do cough but not as often as other animals. Retching or
gagging is often confused with a cough. A cough is an expiratory
effort producing a sudden, noisy expulsion of air from the lungs. It
is usually stimulated by an irritation or inflammation of the mucous
membrane lining of the windpipe (trachea), bronchi or bronchioles
in the lungs in an effort to expel some foreign material or
accumulated inflammatory secretion or exudate. Bouts of
coughing may end with a retch and even bringing up of stomach
contents.
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 will often be from infection
particularly with viruses such as Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis or
bacteria such as Bordetella. Parasitic worms may be responsible
in a few cases. Allergies of various origins may also cause
coughing. Cats can cough for a variety of other reasons, including
the presence of foreign material within the airway (e.g. pieces of
inhaled grass), or irritation from inhaled liquids or gases. Chest
tumors (cancer) can occasionally cause coughing. Coughing is
rarely associated with heart disease in cats.
Coughing can also be seen with upper respiratory tract disease
when irritation or inflammation affects the larynx or trachea, or a
disease in the nose that results in excessive secretions draining
into the larynx and trachea, causing irritation and coughing.
When does a coughing cat need veterinary attention?
It is normal for all cats to cough occasionally, and provided that
the cat is maintaining good health and the cough is not productive
(not resulting in the production of phlegm or sputum), veterinary
attention is not indicated. However, if the cough persists for more
than a few days, is severe, productive, or if the cat appears sick
and losing weight, you should consult your veterinarian.
How is the cause of a cat's cough diagnosed?
Because most cases of coughing are associated with other signs
of respiratory infection, an intensive initial work up may not be
required. However, if the cough is severe or if it has been present
for some time, then further investigation may be needed. Careful
recollection by the owner of the onset of the problem and its
progression, any changes in the environment, or any other signs
of illness in the cat, will be important. The clinical work-up may
include blood tests, laboratory cultures of a wash sample from the
lower respiratory tract, endoscopic examination and radiography.
The cat may be given a sedative for some of these procedures.
How will the cough be treated?
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. Symptomatic treatment with
decongestant medicines may be helpful in mild cases. In the case
of viral with secondary bacterial infection or primary bacterial
infection, antibiotics will likely provide rapid improvement. Do not
stop the treatment once the cat seems better. Complete the
medication as prescribed otherwise the infection may return and
be more difficult to treat.
If the coughing is a more chronic problem (i.e. has been present
for one to two months), there may be permanent damage to the
mucous membrane surfaces such that they are not capable of
healing. In these cases, infections may be recurrent. Targeted
supplements that improve mucous membrane repair or act as
immune stimulants may be helpful. Anti-inflammatory drugs may
be used to suppress the inflammation particularly if there is an
allergic basis and the allergen cannot be found and removed from
the cat’s environment. In the case of certain types of cancer,
chemotherapy may be an option.
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| Virtual Tour Location What's New List of Services Animal Hospital of Fate 1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
| Dusty B. Goucher, DVM The Staff of the Animal Hospital of Fate |