TL;DR: A cat coughing fit often signals a respiratory issue like asthma or bronchitis and requires a veterinary exam, especially if accompanied by difficulty breathing. Capture a video of the episode to help your vet provide an accurate diagnosis.
What does a cat coughing fit look like and what causes it?
- Appearance: The cat typically crouches low to the ground with their neck extended, making a rhythmic hacking or wheezing sound.
- Common Misconception: Many owners confuse this with passing a hairball; however, if nothing is produced, it is likely a respiratory issue.
- Potential Causes: These fits can be caused by feline asthma, bronchitis, or underlying heart and lung conditions that irritate the airways.
When is a cat's coughing fit considered a medical emergency?
- Urgency Level: Medium. While a single fit may not be a crisis, any episode lasting several minutes indicates the cat is struggling to move air.
- Standard Care: You should schedule a veterinary exam as soon as possible for any new or persistent cough.
- Immediate Emergency: Head to a clinic immediately if the cough is accompanied by open-mouth breathing, blue-tinged gums, or extreme lethargy.
Why should I record a video of my cat coughing for the veterinarian?
- Clinical Limitations: Cats often hide symptoms at the clinic due to stress-induced adrenaline, making a video essential for triage.
- Diagnostic Clues: A video allows the vet to analyze sound and posture to differentiate between cardiac coughs, asthmatic wheezes, or hairball attempts.
- Faster Results: Providing visual evidence leads to a more efficient and accurate diagnosis.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In cats, coughing fits can be caused by primary diseases such as feline asthma or heartworm-associated respiratory disease. Spasms of coughing are the outstanding sign, most severe after rest, a change of environment, or at the beginning of exercise. On auscultation, respiratory sounds may be normal, but in advanced cases, inspiratory crackles and expiratory wheezes may be heard. Feline bronchial asthma may result in cyanosis and dyspnea and may be accompanied by eosinophilia. Addressing the primary disease will often resolve the cough, but antitussive therapy may be considered for symptomatic relief and comfort.
Chapter: Respiratory
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1491)