TL;DR: While often mistaken for hairballs, regular coughing in cats can indicate respiratory issues like asthma and requires veterinary attention, especially if accompanied by gasping or a blue-tinted tongue.
What does it mean if my cat is coughing or hacking?
Many cat owners mistake coughing for the attempt to pass a hairball. When a cat hunches their back, extends their neck, and produces a dry hacking sound, they are often experiencing a true cough. While hairballs result in the physical expulsion of fur, a cough is often unproductive or may result in a small amount of clear foam. This behavior is frequently associated with feline asthma, bronchitis, or respiratory infections.
When is a coughing cat considered a veterinary emergency?
- Medium Urgency: Regular or frequent coughing, which may indicate chronic inflammation or underlying heart and lung issues.
- Emergency Level: Immediate veterinary intervention is needed if the cat has a blue or purple tint to their tongue, is breathing with an open mouth, or is gasping for air.
How can taking a video of my cat coughing help the veterinarian?
- It captures the behavior at home, which is helpful since cats often stop coughing at the clinic due to the stress of travel.
- It allows the veterinarian to observe the cat's specific physical posture during the episode.
- It provides a recording of the specific sound of the cough for the professional to hear.
- It helps the vet determine if the issue is upper respiratory, lower respiratory, or digestive in nature.
- It leads to a significantly faster and more accurate diagnosis.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Coughing in cats can be indicative of a primary disease process such as feline asthma or heartworm-associated respiratory disease. Feline bronchial asthma may result in cyanosis and dyspnea and may be accompanied by eosinophilia. Oral or inhaled corticosteroids are indicated for treatment of feline asthma, and bronchodilators may also be considered. In cases of persistent coughing, laboratory tests and radiographs of the thorax and cervical trachea should be evaluated to eliminate other differential diagnoses, and bronchoalveolar lavage or transtracheal wash for cytology and culture sensitivity may be indicated to identify an etiologic agent.
Chapter: Respiratory, Pharmacology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 2608)