Bronchitis

Bronchitis in typical medical terms is an infection of the breathing passage that sees the inflammation of the air tract and lungs. This is a very irritable condition that humans can suffer from and a number of complications can come about. The issue could develop into a range of complex situation and there is even a risk of developing pneumonia, a potential fatal scenario. Cats can also suffer from Bronchitis as bacterial parasites can latch on to the respiratory tract. This is a little different to human contraction but the risks and principles are very similar. The parasite will cause irritation and certain strains will cause induced bronchitis, this is where things can get a little sketchy.

When a cat suffers from bronchitis they will have episodes of violent coughing and they will even sneeze as a result. It might seem as if the cat has the chills or a common cold (which is still a bad situation) but bronchitis should be at the top of a pet owners list to look out for. In addition to coughing and sneezing, there will be bouts of runny noses and water eyes. This is a sad state to see a cat in but cat owners should not panic as bronchitis is easily treatable and has less of a risk for fatal development in comparison to other parasitic infestations.

The condition can also be described as feline asthma and will limit the amount of oxygen entering the body. This results in a far less energetic performance in a cat. A vet will be able to accurately determine if a cat is suffering from bronchitis by using X-ray scans. There are other lab tests that will also analyse the cells and fluid from the lungs of a cat. A vet will be able to decide if this is necessary after initial scan and assessment. Treatment must be carefully prescribed and it must be identified as to whether there is a parasitic infection that has caused the condition. In this time, the environment should be kept clean and any harsh products or areas of smoke must be kept away from the cat.

There are a number of drugs that can prescribed to a cat suffering from bronchitis and a vet will be able to offer the best course of treatment depending on the situation. Symptoms will normally clear up within a matter of weeks and parasites should be eliminated.