4 Reasons Your Cat May Be Sneezing, Wheezing, Or Coughing
Posted on: 26 January 2023
No one wants to see their cats uncomfortable. Behaviors out of the ordinary often lead to a quick visit to an animal hospital or vet. Sneezing, wheezing, or coughing can often indicate something is wrong. While an occasional cough may suggest an irritant, an outgoing cough, sneeze, or wheeze, may necessitate a doctor's visit to diagnose the underlying cause. Here are a few reasons that may cause your cat to exhibit these symptoms.
1. Colds
Just like people catch colds, cats can as well. Many of the same symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing, and coughing, also characterize their conditions. Feline herpesvirus (FVR) and feline calicivirus can cause common colds in cats and is transmittable between cats, although not between people and cats.
As long as your cat is eating, drinking, and using the bathroom normally, there is nothing to fear. You can help relieve the symptoms by placing them in your steamy bathroom or adding a humidifier to create moisture in your air. If your cat stops eating, drinking, or defecating normally, a visit to the animal hospital is in order.
2. Pneumonia
Along with colds, cats can also develop pneumonia. This condition is severe and is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Pneumonia causes inflammation of your cat's lungs, where their lung air sacs fill with fluid, causing difficulty breathing.
Cats may demonstrate vomiting along with coughs and hiding. Your vet can only diagnose pneumonia through x-rays available at an animal hospital.
3. Fungal Lung Infections
Cats that spend time outside face an increased chance of developing a fungal lung infection by breathing in spores floating through the air. Once the spores reach your cat's lungs, it builds up yeast and triggers the body's defenses to form lesions in their lungs. There are four different types of common fungal lung infections in cats. These are:
- Blastomycosis
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Cryptococcosis
- Histoplasmosis
These fungal infections can lead to coughing, labored breathing, and fever. While fungal lung infections are rare, your veterinarian needs to diagnose your cat as quickly as possible. When caught early, your vet can treat fungal lung infections, but if not, they can be fatal.
4. Congestive Heart Failure
Another severe condition often indicated by coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath is congestive heart failure. Your veterinarian diagnoses this condition using ultrasound or electrocardiogram.
If you suspect there is something more to your cat's sneezing, wheezing, or coughing, do not delay taking them to the animal hospital. A quick diagnosis can get your cat back on the road to recovery.
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