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Section: Information In-depth
Asthma is a reactive airway disease, meaning the muscle lining the bronchial tubes can suddenly constrict leading to airway obstruction. Affected cats cannot expel air from their lungs and symptoms come on very suddenly. Some cats have less obvious signs of reactive airways but prominent signs of bronchitis, meaning the bronchial tubes are inflamed and secretions accumulate and obstruct airways. In either case, breathing is difficult, coughing may occur and the lungs cannot function properly. Bronchial asthma in cats is uncomfortable, tiring and the condition can be life-threatening. Other medical problems can cause similar symptoms such as difficult breathing and coughing in cats. It is important to exclude these before establishing a diagnosis of feline bronchial asthma. These conditions include:
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Dyspnea is the term used to describe labored and difficult breathing. This breathing trouble can occur either during inspiration or expiration and has many different causes.
Panting is rapid, shallow respirations characterized by open-mouthed breathing, often accompanied by a protrusion of the tongue. It is seen commonly in dogs, and less commonly in cats.
Coughing is a common protective reflex that clears secretions or foreign matter from the airways. Persistant coughing can indicate underlying illness and can hinder the ability to breathe properly.
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