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2023 Author: Alex Livingston | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39
The rattle in the cat it can be identified as a kind of murmur or whistle while the animal is breathing, and at times it may seem that it is an asthma attack. As alarming as this may seem, in many cases it is not a very serious problem: many causes rattle are related to ailments that can be easily treated by your veterinarian.
This is basically an abnormal sound caused by the narrowing of the cat's airways due to constrictions, obstructions, inflammation or other conditions. All the cats are subject to the manifestation of this problem, even if in a different way (as we will see), and the main causes which can be traced back if your cat wheezes are the following:
- Fur balls;
- Particular shape of the muzzle (such as Persian brachycephaly and Exotic Shorthair);
- Allergies;
- Asthma;
- Parasitic infestations cardiac (Feline cardiopulmonary filariasis) or pulmonary (Aelurostrongylosis of the cat).
Fur balls
Hairballs are quite common among felines: they form when, in the act of licking, the cat ingests part of the dead hair which then builds up in your digestive tract. To exclude an occlusion it will be necessary to regurgitate it: in these cases the symptoms consist of cough, vomiting and rales. In most cases, hairballs are natural and harmless; they form more easily in long-haired cats such as Persian and Maine Coon, as well as in cats that spend a lot of time grooming. As they age, cats become progressively more expert at grooming themselves, so you may observe an increase in this phenomenon.
If you notice that the animal has developed inappetence, lethargy, diarrhea, constipation or vomits often without being able to eliminate hairballs, contact your veterinarian immediately: it could be a occlusion potentially fatal.
Particular shape of the muzzle
The shape of a cat's face can cause respiratory problems: for example, if the animal has a flat muzzle, like the Persian or the Himalayan, its bone structure could make breathing more difficult by causing rattles or sounds similar to rattles. These particular breeds of cats (called brachycephalic) are also subject to abundant mucus discharge from the nose, and this can worsen the situation by obstructing the airways.
Parasitic infestations
Both the Aelurostrongylosis that the Filariasis Feline cardiopulmonary are parasite infestations that can lurk in your cat's lungs. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, weakness, loss of appetite, vomiting and lethargy; they are common to many respiratory ailments and this causes these infestations go unnoticed for a long time. This can be dangerous, as these parasites cause severe breathing problems and are fatal if not properly eliminated.
Allergies
Allergy in cats usually occurs when the immune system is very sensitive and begins to identify some substances as dangerous. The most common allergens are usually inhaled and are dust, pollen, chemicals or smoke, and cause nasal congestion. They can also cause itchy skin, hair loss, skin irritation, swollen paws, sneezing, wheezing and coughing. These symptoms can be seasonal, depending on the type of allergy. If the allergen is present in a certain food, it will be necessary to avoid giving it to the animal in the future.
Asthma
Asthma is a reaction to inhaled allergens that involves the immune system and causes a narrowing of the respiratory tract. It can be caused by any substance in the air but dust, mold and pollen are the most common agents. If at an advanced stage, an asthma attack can result fatal in the animal. It is very important to recognize the first signs of asthma, which usually occurs after an intense period of physical activity and shows cough, rales and difficulty in breathing. Asthma attacks can worsen especially in winter, due to the increased dryness of the air. Asthma is usually diagnosed between 4 and 5 years of age.
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