Cat Coughing in Limerick, PA: Causes and Treatments

When your cat is coughing, it’s normal to be worried. After all, sometimes coughing can be a sign of a much more serious underlying problem. However, there are also many situations in which cats cough for mild reasons, so it’s important to figure out the root cause.

In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most common causes of coughing in cats as well as some treatments you might expect from your vet. Be sure to take your cat to the veterinarian for any concerning coughing habits or if he is coughing along with other troubling symptoms.

Causes of Cat Coughing

Below are some possible causes of your cat’s coughing.

Hairballs

If your cat’s coughing is accompanied with spitting up, there’s a good chance he has hairballs. This is completely normal and is almost never a cause for concern. If your cat’s hairballs occur along with severe lethargy and loss of appetite, he should see a vet; otherwise, this is just a normal part of cat ownership.

Asthma

Cats who have asthma may have frequent coughing fits. Just like humans with asthma, cats may have flare-ups that make their coughing much worse for a short time. These can be related to activity levels but may also be related to contaminants in the air in their environment.

Allergies

If your cat has seasonal allergies, he may develop a cough related to them. He may also have watery eyes or a runny nose and might have an itchy face as well. Cats with food allergies can also have a cough from this problem.

Respiratory Infection

If your cat has a respiratory infection, this can cause coughing just like it would in humans. You may notice other symptoms if your cat has a respiratory infection, including a runny nose, watery eyes, wheezing, or rattling breath. Cats may become very sick from respiratory illness, so go to the vet right away.

Obstructed Airways

If your cat inhales or swallows an item that gets lodged in his airways, he may have an obstruction. This could cause coughing and will also cause significant signs of distress too. Take your cat to the vet immediately if you think this is the case and go to the emergency vet if necessary.

Cancer

Some cats may suffer from various types of cancer that can contribute to their coughing. These cancers include lung cancer as well as cancers of the nose and gums. Your vet will need to check your cat to provide this diagnosis.

Treatments to Help with Your Cat’s Coughing

Here are a few treatment options to help your cat with their coughing. Be sure to talk with your vet before starting a treatment plan.

Hairball Preventative

You may be able to give your cat an over-the-counter hairball preventative medication to help him reduce the number of hairballs he coughs up. This can cut back on the coughing as well as the spitting up, and it can make it easier for him to digest as well.

Inhalers

Some cats are prescribed inhalers for their asthma just like humans are. You will need to give your cat the inhaler medication, which may also sometimes be prescribed as a pill or a liquid medicine instead. Your vet can give you more information about this type of treatment.

Steroids

If your cat has a severe allergy flare-up, it might be time for a round of steroids. Your vet will give you all the information you need to know about giving your cat steroids, so be sure to follow any veterinary guidance with this type of medication.

Antibiotics

Cats who have respiratory infections may be given antibiotics to help treat them if the infections are bacterial. If the infections are viral, the cat may be given cough medicine to help deal with the symptoms while his body heals itself naturally otherwise.

Surgery

If your cat has swallowed or inhaled something that is obstructing his airways, he is going to need emergency surgery to remove it. You may need to take him to the emergency vet for this, as your regular vet might not be available at the time and waiting could prove to be fatal.

Chemotherapy

If your cat is diagnosed with cancer, you may be able to take him for chemotherapy treatments. Your vet will work with you to determine whether your cat’s cancer is treatable via chemotherapy and whether this is the right choice for you as well as for your pet.

Talk with Your Limerick Veterinary Hospital Vet

If your cat seems to be coughing for a benign reason, you may be able to avoid a vet visit. However, if you’re not sure what’s causing his cough or if you think the cough could be related to a more serious problem, it’s best to have your cat checked by the vet to be sure. Use the online form or call (610) 489-2848 to book an appointment with the vets at Limerick Veterinary Hospital.