Causes of wheezing or coughing
Dry or wet cough in cats, shortness of breath with wheezing or “gurgling” directly indicate problems with the respiratory system. There can be several reasons for the emerging pathology:
The most obvious is the ingress of foreign bodies into the respiratory tract. If the fallen object is small and has no sharp edges, then the animal quickly gets rid of it and breathing returns to normal. In rare cases, emergency veterinary attention is required – for example, if coughing or wheezing is caused by blockage of the airways or partial blockage due to swelling of the esophagus (common when bone enters the soft tissues).
The second most common cause is respiratory infections. Animals with normal immunity easily tolerate them, because the symptoms quickly disappear and the condition stabilizes.
Viral or allergic diseases – asthma, rhinotracheitis, etc. in this case, the intervention of a veterinarian is necessary, otherwise the disease will lead to complications or death of the animal.
Wheezing or coughing in cats may also indicate inhaled irritants, fluid buildup in the pleural space, or heart failure. Worm infestations are also included in the list of possible causes.
In addition, cats can cough due to brachycephalic syndrome, stress, injury or malnutrition.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The list of symptoms is usually typical and includes the following manifestations:
- Cough – dry or wet, with sputum.
- Difficulty breathing, accompanied by extraneous sounds.
- Shortness of breath even after minor physical exertion.
- Decreased appetite.
- Lethargy, changes in behavior.
- Profuse salivation, irritation of mucous membranes.
Diagnosis is based on an assessment of symptoms. Its main task is to determine the cause of wheezing and coughing, for further relief. After collecting an anamnesis and examining the animal, the veterinarian may prescribe:
- Blood analysis.
- Analysis of feces for the detection of pulmonary helminths.
- Analysis of swabs from the trachea.
- Chest x-ray.
With difficulty in making a diagnosis, further development is possible.
Treating coughs and wheezing in Maine Coon cats
The only correct answer to the question of how to treat cough and wheezing in a cat is impossible for a day. The treatment regimen depends on the reason for the symptoms:
- If foreign objects enter the respiratory tract, it is enough to extract
them and heal the injuries that have been inflicted. In most cases, surgery
can be dispensed with. - Worm infestations, accompanied by lung damage, are stopped by
anthelmintic drugs. With secondary infection, antibiotics or corticosteroids
may be prescribed. - Feline asthma is virtually incurable. At the same time, professional
selection of medicines makes it possible to stop the dangerous
manifestations of the disease. - Wheezing and respiratory failure in brachycephalic syndrome are
eliminated surgically.
If your Maine Coon coughs or wheezes for a long time, and at the same time she shows other dangerous symptoms, you should definitely consult a veterinarian. Self-medication and the hope that “everything will pass” lead to serious consequences for the health of the pet or to his death.