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Overview:
Coughing is seen less frequently
in cats than it is in dogs. It is not a disease in itself but
rather a symptom of a problem.
Coughing is a reflex which is
initiated by an irritant in the airway. The type of cough often
suggests the location & probable cause. [1]
What causes
coughing in cats?
Some causes of coughing include;
How is the cause
of coughing diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will perform a
physical examination of your cat & obtain a medical history from
you. The type of cough & other presenting symptoms (if any) may
be indicative of the cause. Two such examples below;
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A cough which is accompanied by
sneezing & nasal discharge may suggest cat flu.
-
Coughing accompanied by wheezing
may suggest asthma.
-
Coughing accompanied by weight
loss, anorexia, lethargy may suggest worms.
Some tests your veterinarian may
wish to perform include;
-
Chest x-ray which may determine
the presence of asthma, pleural effusion (a
collection of fluid inside the chest cavity around the lung)
& heartworm disease.
-
Complete blood count.
-
Heartworm antibody & antigen
tests.
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Fecal flotation which may detect
the presence of roundworm eggs.
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Tracheal endoscopy to evaluate
the trachea. Biopsies & phlegm may be removed for testing.
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Thoracic fluid analysis where
pleural effusion is present.
How is coughing
treated?
It is important to identify the
cause of the coughing & treatment depends on the
underlying cause.
References:
[1] Cat Owners Home Veterinary
Handbook - Delbert G. Carlson, D.V.M & James M. Giffin, M.D.
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a
veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a
veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for
informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great
care has been made in the creation of these articles, we
cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages.
If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical
advice.
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