Feline Asthma: When Breathing Becomes a Struggle

Feline asthma is surprisingly common. It’s basically an allergic reaction causing airway inflammation and breathing problems.

Common symptoms:

• Coughing or wheezing
• Open-mouth breathing
• Panting (especially during play or stress)
• Lethargy

Chest X-rays, a thorough history, and sometimes additional tests to rule out infections or other lung diseases will be used to diagnose feline asthma.

Treatment options:

• Inhaled steroids (yes — some cats have their own little inhalers!)
• Oral medications
• Bronchodilators
• Reducing triggers like smoke, dust, and aerosols

With proper management, most asthmatic cats live normal, happy lives. If you’ve noticed any breathing changes in your cat,  it’s always better to investigate sooner rather than later.