Bronchitis is inflammation of the small airways in the lungs. The inflammation causes secretions that block those airways In cats, bronchitis is often but not always associated with asthma.
Signs of feline bronchitis can include:
Bronchitis in cats can be acute (short-term) and reversible or chronic (long-term) and possibly cause irreversible changes in the airways. In cases of chronic bronchitis, the signs may be consistent or recurrent.
Bronchitis can be caused by:
When a veterinarian does a thorough physical examination, he or she may hear crackles or wheezes in the lungs when listening with a stethoscope.
Chest x-rays are the primary way that veterinarians diagnose changes in the lungs consistent with bronchitis. From there, other tests may be performed to determine the underlying cause, such as a heartworm test or a bronchoalveolar lavage test (BAL). For a BAL, a sample of fluid from the lungs is collected and examined in the lab.
If an underlying infection or parasite is identified, that must be treated in order to help the cat with the bronchitis. Often, bronchodilator medications are used to open the airways and corticosteroids are given to combat inflammation in the airways.
For chronic bronchitis, the kitty may need intermittent treatment. Additionally, exposure to irritating substances in the air should be eliminated as much as possible. That includes:
A sudden, severe attack of bronchitis in a cat can be life-threatening.
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