This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD. Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
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Cats can develop bronchitis at any age, and it can result from an acute infection or a chronic allergic response. Look for a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, and fever, and report all symptoms to your cat's vet. Blood tests and imaging techniques will help the vet make an accurate diagnosis. They’ll prescribe an antibiotic or other appropriate medication to treat an acute infection. To treat chronic bronchitis, the vet will likely suggest anti-inflammatory drugs. If your cat's condition is due to allergies, you’ll need to take steps to reduce its exposure to environmental triggers like pollen, smoke, perfume, and air fresheners.
Steps
Checking for Symptoms of Bronchitis
Look for a persistent cough over a period of days or weeks. At first, it might be difficult to distinguish a persistent cough from normal hairballs. Notice if your cat coughs repeatedly over the course of days or weeks. As you make your observations, look for potential environmental causes, such as:[1]- Pollen conditions
- Whether anyone is smoking nearby
- Any perfume, cologne, or air freshener you’ve used
- Dusty cat litter
- Dust inside and outside of the house
- Contact with other cats with viruses
Listen for wheezing or difficulty breathing. If you notice your cat has a persistent cough, look for signs of difficult breathing. Hold your ear near its chest and mouth and listen for wheezing or crackling sounds. Take note if its breathing seems visibly labored or if it consistently breathes through its mouth.[2]Advertisement
Check for fever and other symptoms of bronchitis. If you have a pet thermometer, take your cat’s temperature. A temperature of 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit (39.7 degrees Celsius) or higher indicates a fever. Other symptoms of bronchitis include general stress and loss of appetite.[3]- You might also notice a bluish tint to the mucous membranes, like the nose, gums, and lips. This is due to a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream caused by respiratory difficulty.
- If you notice these symptoms, take your cat to the vet immediately. If the symptoms worsen, your cat could experience respiratory failure.
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Consulting Your Cat’s Vet
Bring your cat to the vet and report its symptoms. Call the vet if you observe persistent coughing with or without other symptoms. The first step in making an accurate diagnosis is to report your cat’s symptoms to the vet.- Tell the vet which symptoms you’ve observed and how long it’s been since you noticed them. Let the vet know if they came on suddenly or if they seem to be related to any potential allergens, like smoke, chemicals, or pollen.
Have your cat’s blood tested. In addition to evaluating the cat’s symptoms and giving it an initial physical exam, the vet will need to screen your cat’s blood. They'll test for heartworm, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia, and other potential underlying conditions.[4] Blood tests can also help evaluate the condition of the cat's organs.- These tests will help accurately diagnose acute or chronic bronchitis and help the vet better understand your cat’s overall health.
Give the cat an x-ray or bronchoscopy. The vet will most likely recommend some sort of imaging test, such as an x-ray or bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy is a technique that uses a small camera to examine lung tissue. The vet may also take a culture or biopsy of respiratory tissue to make an accurate diagnosis.- There are a number of potential causes, like infection or parasite infestation, that your vet will need to eliminate. Imaging techniques, bacterial culture, and biopsy are the most effective ways of determining the best treatment plan.
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Treating Bronchitis
Get your cat treated for acute bronchitis. Acute bronchitis can result from a bacterial or viral infection, or parasitic infestation. Your cat’s vet will suggest the appropriate medications, such as antibiotics, to treat the infection or infestation.[5]- The vet will likely prescribe an oral antibiotic or antifungal medication, depending on the results of the culture and imaging scans. Be sure to administer any medication as instructed.[6]
Talk to the vet about corticosteroids and bronchodilators. If your vet rules out parasites or infection, they will likely prescribe a corticosteroid, which acts as an anti-inflammatory. In addition, they might suggest a bronchodilator, which opens up the airways.- Both of these medications come in oral, inhaled, or injectable forms. Talk to your vet about which option is best for your cat, and be sure to administer any medication as directed.
- While often used in combination with corticosteroids, bronchodilators are rarely prescribed on their own.
Get an air purifier and treat against specific allergens. Corticosteroids and bronchodilators are the most common treatment methods, but your cat’s vet might also recommend other options. If they can identify a particular allergen, there are experimental desensitization therapies available. The vet might also suggest you invest in an air purifier to eliminate allergens from your home.
Reduce your cat’s exposure to triggers. If your cat is diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, you should take efforts to reduce its exposure to any allergens that might trigger its respiratory problems. Keep your cat indoors and stop smoking around it.[7]- You should also observe and eliminate any particular conditions that worsen symptoms. For example, if you observe your cat coughing or wheezing in a certain room of the house, restrict its access to that room. If you notice a perfume or air freshener triggers its bronchitis, stop using that product.[8]
- Cat litter can be another trigger. If you think the cat's litter is causing the problem, try buying another brand.
Help your overweight cat lose weight. Obesity puts extra stress on a cat’s circulatory and respiratory systems, so you should help your overweight cat lose weight. If you free-feed your cat, switch to scheduled feedings. If you give your cat treats, make sure they account for no more than ten percent of its daily calories.[9]- Ask the vet if they have any further weight loss recommendations.
- Since obesity can be a lifelong condition, the cat may need ongoing treatment of their bronchitis.
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Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ http://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-small-animals/tracheobronchitis-in-small-animals
- ↑ https://www.vetinfo.com/chronic-bronchitis-in-cats.html
- ↑ http://www.cat-health-guide.org/feline-bronchitis.html
- ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/inhalant-treatment-for-feline-asthma-and-bronchitis
- ↑ https://www.vetinfo.com/chronic-bronchitis-in-cats.html
- ↑ https://www.vetary.com/cat/condition/bronchitis
- ↑ http://www.cat-health-guide.org/feline-bronchitis.html
- ↑ https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/asthma-cats
- ↑ https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/asthma-cats
About this article
To diagnose feline bronchitis, monitor your cat for persistent coughing over a period of days or weeks. You should also hold your ear near its chest and listen for wheezing or crackling sounds that might mean its having difficulty breathing. If you have a pet thermometer, check your cat for a temperature of 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, which indicates a fever that might be caused by bronchitis. Take your cat to the vet to be examined and have its blood tested for other possible underlying conditions. Your vet will likely also recommend an imaging test, such as an x-ray or bronchoscopy, to make an accurate diagnosis. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to treat your cat’s bronchitis, keep reading!
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