Cats are naturally finicky animals. It seems as if they can manage to have not only every single health problem a human being can have, but a wonderful mixture of their own ailments. And of course, trying to figure out what is wrong with the majestic little monsters is certainly quite painful for most to deal with. When your cat has breathing troubles, though, it may be time to sit down and figure out what is actually wrong. There are a number of different possibilities when it comes to cat breathing problems, and some are more severe than others.
A Variety of Cat Breathing Problems
First to be diagnosed amongst most cat owners is the possibility of the cat having asthma. It is often best characterized by a cat opening its mouth wide as if having a hairball, but actually just struggling to get air in. The condition can actually be debilitating at times, and it can cause a major shift in quality of life for your animal. Be prepared to see a great deal of struggling with this condition, and occasional mucus expulsion.
Allergies are also quite a problem. Yes, the same general sort of problem often plagues the animal that causes so much distress to many human allergy sufferers. Anything from perfume to litter can cause a cat to have an allergic reaction, and removing the stressor from the environment can usually solve the problem. A good general rule of thumb when dealing with cat breathing problems is to first remove anything that cat may have an allergic reaction to from the space and to observe what happens. Allergies are one of the few cases in which going to see a vet may not be necessary.
Parasite infections, including heartworm, can also cause breathing problems amongst its other symptoms. Weight loss and vomiting are often indicative of heart worm, while the presence of ringworms in vomit or stool can usually give that particular parasite away. In any case, the possibility of such an infestation is a very good reason to get your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Upper respiratory infections can actually cause a great deal of breathing stress, along with coughing and general hoarseness. While an infection may not seem like a major problem, the breathing problems are merely one of the least severe symptoms. A cat with a respiratory infection could suffer from a number of sever conditions, and needs to see a vet as soon as possible. Wasting time trying to figure out the precise cause in such a case may lead to severe complications for your cat.
Cat breathing problems can be moderate or severe, but most do warrant a trip to the veterinarian's office. While the problem may be minor, too much can go wrong with the sheer variety of possible causes of the problems. As when a human is breathing badly, one should be quite concerned for an animal with any sort of respiratory problem. A simple medical visit can often be the difference between saving your cat's life and letting it suffer needlessly.
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