Understanding Cough in cats - Symptoms, causes and treatment

A persistent or concerning cough in your feline companion can be a worrying sign for any cat owner. While occasional coughing might be benign, a recurring or severe cough can indicate an underlying health issue that requires prompt attention. This comprehensive guide delves into the various aspects of Cough in cats - Symptoms, causes and treatment, equipping you with the knowledge to identify potential problems, understand their origins, and seek the most effective interventions for your beloved pet's well-being.

What Does a Cough in Cats Sound Like?

Before we can address the causes and treatments, it's crucial to recognize what a cough in cats actually sounds like. Unlike the hacking, chesty cough often associated with dogs or humans, a cat's cough can manifest in several ways, and sometimes be mistaken for other sounds:

• Hacking or Gagging: This is perhaps the most recognizable cough, often resembling an attempt to expel a hairball. The cat may arch its back, extend its neck, and make a retching sound.
• Wheezing: A high-pitched whistling sound during exhalation, indicative of narrowed airways. This can be particularly alarming and may be mistaken for a meow.
• Choking or Spluttering: A sudden, forceful expulsion of air, often accompanied by panic from the cat.
• A "Wet" or Congested Sound: This suggests fluid in the lungs or airways.
• A "Dry" or "Honking" Sound: This can be indicative of irritation or inflammation in the upper respiratory tract.

It's important to differentiate a cough from a sneeze, which is usually a shorter, more explosive expulsion of air through the nose, often due to irritants. Also, retching and vomiting, which are aimed at expelling stomach contents, have a distinct pattern.

Common Symptoms Associated with Coughing in Cats

Beyond the cough itself, several other symptoms can accompany a feline cough, providing valuable clues to the underlying cause. Observing these alongside the cough can help you provide your veterinarian with a more accurate picture:

• Lethargy and Reduced Activity: A sick cat may become less playful and sleep more than usual.
• Loss of Appetite: A decreased interest in food can be a sign of general malaise or discomfort.
• Weight Loss: Prolonged lack of appetite or underlying illness can lead to noticeable weight loss.
• Difficulty Breathing (Dyspnea): This is a serious symptom. Cats with respiratory distress may breathe with their mouths open, have a hunched posture, or show rapid, shallow breathing.
• Runny Eyes or Nose (Ocular/Nasal Discharge): This can indicate an infection or inflammation affecting the respiratory system.
• Sneezing: As mentioned, sneezing can sometimes be a co-occurring symptom or confused with a cough.
• Changes in Vocalization: A cat's meow might sound different or they might be less vocal.
• Fever: You might notice your cat feels warmer than usual to the touch.
• Vomiting: In some cases, a severe cough can trigger vomiting.

Exploring the Diverse Causes of Coughing in Cats

The reasons behind a cat's cough are varied and can range from simple irritations to serious medical conditions. Understanding these causes is fundamental to effective diagnosis and treatment.

1. Respiratory Infections

Infections are a very common culprit for Cough in cats - Symptoms, causes and treatment. These can be viral, bacterial, or fungal.

• Feline Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs): Often referred to as "cat flu," URIs are highly contagious and can be caused by various viruses (e.g., feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus) and bacteria (e.g., Chlamydia felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica). Symptoms often include sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge, conjunctivitis, and sometimes a cough.
• Pneumonia: This is an infection of the lungs, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or even aspiration (inhaling foreign material). Pneumonia can lead to a deep, moist cough, difficulty breathing, fever, and lethargy.
• Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways leading to the lungs. This can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term). Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough, sometimes accompanied by wheezing.

2. Asthma and Allergic Reactions

Feline asthma shares many similarities with human asthma and is a common cause of chronic coughing and wheezing. It's an inflammatory condition of the airways.

• Triggers: Allergens in the environment can trigger asthma attacks. These can include:
  • Dust and dust mites
  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Flea saliva (even if not directly inhaled, it can cause systemic allergic reactions)
  • Certain types of litter (especially dusty or perfumed ones)
  • Smoke (from cigarettes or fireplaces)
  • Aerosol sprays and strong perfumes
• Symptoms: The hallmark symptom is a characteristic coughing fit, often occurring after exertion or excitement. Cats may also exhibit wheezing, rapid breathing, and difficulty breathing.

3. Heartworm Disease

While more prevalent in dogs, cats can also contract heartworm disease from infected mosquitoes. Heartworms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries, causing significant damage.

• Symptoms: Coughing is a common symptom, especially in cats that develop severe inflammation in their lungs due to the presence of worms (Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease - HARD). Other symptoms include vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, and difficulty breathing.

4. Parasites

Internal parasites, beyond heartworms, can also contribute to coughing.

• Lungworms: These microscopic worms inhabit the lungs and airways of cats, causing irritation and inflammation. Coughing, difficulty breathing, and nasal discharge are common symptoms.
• Intestinal Parasites: While less direct, severe intestinal parasite infestations can weaken a cat's immune system, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections that lead to coughing.

5. Foreign Bodies

Accidental inhalation of foreign objects can cause an immediate and severe cough.

• Examples: Small toys, pieces of grass, food particles, or even hairballs can get lodged in the airways, leading to coughing, gagging, choking, and potential respiratory distress. This is a medical emergency.

6. Cancer

Unfortunately, cancer can also affect the respiratory system of cats, leading to coughing.

• Lung Tumors: Primary lung tumors or metastatic tumors (cancers that have spread from elsewhere in the body) can irritate the airways or press on them, causing a cough.
• Lymphoma: This type of cancer can affect the chest cavity and lungs.

7. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

While less common in cats than dogs, CHF can occur and can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which can manifest as a cough.

• Symptoms: Coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, and weight loss are typical. The cough may be worse when the cat is lying down.

8. Hairballs

While not a disease, the act of expelling a hairball can sometimes be mistaken for a cough, or a severe hairball blockage can lead to gagging and hacking that resembles a cough.

Diagnosis: Unraveling the Mystery of Your Cat's Cough

When you bring your coughing cat to the veterinarian, they will embark on a diagnostic process to pinpoint the cause. This typically involves a multi-pronged approach:

1. Physical Examination: The veterinarian will listen to your cat's heart and lungs with a stethoscope, assess their breathing pattern, check for fever, and examine their nose and eyes for discharge.
2. Medical History: Providing a detailed history of your cat's symptoms, including when the cough started, its frequency, any associated symptoms, and potential triggers, is crucial for diagnosis.
3. Diagnostic Imaging:
   • X-rays (Radiographs): Chest X-rays are essential for visualizing the lungs, heart, and airways. They can reveal signs of pneumonia, asthma, tumors, heart enlargement, and fluid in the lungs.
4. Laboratory Tests:
   • Blood Work: Complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel can help assess overall health, detect signs of infection or inflammation, and evaluate organ function.
   • Fecal Parasite Examination: To rule out lungworms or other internal parasites.
   • Heartworm Test: A blood test to detect the presence of heartworm antigens or antibodies.
   • Cytology/Biopsy: In cases of suspected tumors or inflammatory conditions, samples may be collected for microscopic examination.
   • Bronchoscopy/Tracheobronchial Wash: In more complex cases, a specialized procedure involving a flexible camera inserted into the airways may be performed to visualize the inside of the lungs and collect fluid samples.
5. Allergy Testing: If asthma or allergies are suspected, specific allergy testing might be recommended.

Treatment Strategies: Addressing the Root Cause

The Cough in cats - Symptoms, causes and treatment approach is highly dependent on the underlying diagnosis. Your veterinarian will tailor a treatment plan specific to your cat's condition.

1. Medications

• Antibiotics: Prescribed for bacterial infections like pneumonia or secondary bacterial infections associated with viral URIs.
• Antivirals: May be used for certain viral infections, though often supportive care is the primary treatment.
• Anti-inflammatories:
  • Corticosteroids: Commonly used to reduce inflammation in the airways associated with asthma, bronchitis, or allergic reactions. These can be oral (pills or liquids) or inhaled (using a special feline inhaler device). Inhaled corticosteroids are often preferred as they deliver medication directly to the lungs with fewer systemic side effects.
  • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Used judiciously for pain and inflammation, but less common for primary respiratory issues in cats compared to steroids.
• Bronchodilators: Medications that help to open up the airways, relieving wheezing and difficulty breathing, particularly useful in asthmatic cats. These are often administered via inhalers.
• Dewormers: To treat lungworm or other parasitic infections.
• Heartworm Preventatives/Treatment: Monthly preventatives are crucial for preventing heartworm disease. Treatment for existing heartworm disease is complex and can be dangerous, so prevention is key.
• Chemotherapy/Radiation Therapy: For cancerous tumors, these treatments may be employed to manage or shrink the tumors.

2. Supportive Care

• Rest: Ensuring your cat has a quiet, comfortable place to rest is vital for recovery.
• Hydration: Adequate water intake is essential, especially if your cat has a fever or is not eating.
• Appetite Stimulation: If your cat is not eating, warming their food or offering highly palatable, easily digestible options can help. In severe cases, appetite stimulants or even temporary feeding tubes might be necessary.
• Nebulization/Humidification: Inhaling moist air can help to loosen mucus and make it easier to expel, which can be beneficial for cats with pneumonia or severe bronchitis. This can be done at home with a humidifier or a pet nebulizer.
• Environmental Management:
  • Litter Box: Using a low-dust, unscented litter can significantly reduce airway irritation for asthmatic cats.
  • Avoid Irritants: Eliminating smoke, aerosols, strong perfumes, and other airborne irritants from your cat's environment is crucial.
  • Air Purifiers: High-quality air purifiers can help to remove allergens and irritants from the air.

3. Surgical Intervention

• Foreign Body Removal: If a foreign object is lodged in the airways, surgical removal or endoscopic retrieval may be necessary.
• Tumor Removal: In some cases of localized lung tumors, surgical resection might be an option.

Prevention: Minimizing the Risk of Coughing

While not all coughs can be prevented, several proactive measures can reduce your cat's risk:

• Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Annual or semi-annual check-ups allow your vet to catch potential problems early.
• Vaccinations: Keeping your cat up-to-date on vaccinations for common respiratory viruses can help prevent URIs.
• Parasite Prevention: Consistent use of high-quality heartworm and flea preventatives is essential.
• Healthy Diet: A balanced, nutritious diet supports a strong immune system.
• Clean Environment: Regular cleaning and dusting, and avoiding environmental irritants, can minimize allergy triggers.
• Stress Reduction: Providing a stable, enriching environment for your cat can help reduce stress, which can exacerbate certain health conditions.
• Prompt Attention to Symptoms: Don't delay seeking veterinary advice if you notice a persistent or concerning cough. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes.

In summary:

A Cough in cats - Symptoms, causes and treatment can be a complex issue, but by understanding the various signs, potential causes, and available diagnostic and treatment options, cat owners can play a vital role in ensuring their feline friends live long, healthy, and comfortable lives. Always consult with your veterinarian for any concerns regarding your cat's health. They are your best resource for accurate diagnosis and effective management of any health condition.