Cat Asthma Attack Death

Asthma with bronchitis in cats.

Cat asthma attack death. The lower respiratory tract or lower airways includes the bronchi bronchioles and alveoli the bronchi begin at the end of the trachea where they split off into two branches from there they split off into smaller branches called the bronchioles. For people with asthma many seemingly innocent things in the home can trigger an asthma attack including dust mites mold and pollen from the outdoors unfortunately for animal lovers pet. With asthma attacks body posture is somewhat different. While most parents see asthma as a major cause of missed time from school and work some might not realize that severe asthma attacks which require emergency room visits and hospitalizations can.

Cats can produce numerous allergens that can trigger asthma symptoms including. Cats suffering from asthma attacks often assume a characteristic crouched posture and extend the head and neck forward while wheezing or coughing. Chest x ray of a cat with asthma notice the characteristic bright branching pattern. Cats with asthma may wheeze cough avoid exercise and experience difficulty breathing.

Bronchioles in a normal lung allow air to pass freely asthmatic bronchioles are contricted and may accumulate fluid in the passages. Diagnosing cat asthma is not always easy. When an asthma attack occurs these passageways thicken and constrict making it very difficult for a cat to breathe. This often leads to respiratory distress which can become grave in a matter of minutes.

A full blown asthma attack may at first resemble a cat trying to cough up a hairball or possibly choking on food. Cats themselves do not cause asthma. Feline asthma very similar to human asthma is a chronic inflammation of the small passageways of a cat s lungs. For mild or moderate asthma just keep your house extra clean and use air filters.

Diagnosis of cat asthma. Severe cat asthma can permanently damage the lungs or even lead to death. If you as a pet parent are able to limit your exposure to these allergens you are good to go. But the allergens in the cat s saliva can increase the possibility of an asthma attack.