Hi there! We are sorry you are here but happy to help. Coughing is never normal for cats. Some causes are less concerning than others but it’s always right to have your cat checked out.
What’s going on with your pet?
Here are some signs that you should be paying close attention or seeking advice:
Start looking for other signs of distress. Is your cat also breathing differently than normal? Are they panting? Panting in cats is not normal and typically indicates a major problem or extreme stress.
Check a respiratory rate. Watch your cat breathing at rest. Set a timer for a minute and count how many times you see their chest move up and down. If you count more than 40 that is not normal.
Are there any other signs that they are not themselves? Have they stopped eating? Are they lethargic? If they are off in more ways than one it can mean that their health is more seriously impaired.
Here’s what you can do...
HOW TO DEAL WITH COUGHING AT HOME
- Start looking for other signs of distress. Is your cat also breathing differently than normal? Are they panting? Panting in cats is not normal and typically indicates a major problem or extreme stress.
- Check a respiratory rate. Watch your cat breathing at rest. Set a timer for a minute and count how many times you see their chest move up and down. If you count more than 40 that is not normal.
- Are there any other signs that they are not themselves? Have they stopped eating? Are they lethargic? If they are off in more ways than one it can mean that their health is more seriously impaired.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME
Look around for any respiratory irritants. Have you been burning candles? Have the windows been open or closed more than usual? Any diffusers or misters going in your home? Even if these things are not the cause of your cat’s cough they could make it worse. Remove anything from the environment that could be an irritant.
Does your pet need Urgent Care?
Yes! Breathing is a vital function and any problem with the respiratory system could become serious quickly. We hope nothing serious is found but this is one case where you are better off seeing a veterinarian ASAP.
What can you expect from your visit?
Cats can get stressed going into a new environment, this may cause them to breathe more rapidly If the Scout team has any concerns that your cat is in trouble, they will do a quick (STAT) assessment to ensure they are safe.
Your Scout veterinarian may recommend:
X-rays: This is the best way to look at the lungs and see if there are any signs of infection, feline asthma, lower airway disease, or masses.
Bloodwork: It’s unlikely that bloodwork will help determine the exact cause of the cough but many medications/treatments can have impacts on the whole body. Performing bloodwork may be recommended if your Scout veterinarian is concerned that there may be something else going on or if they want to safely prescribe a medication.
PCR testing: Your Scout veterinarian may recommend taking a swab to look for a number of common respiratory infections in cats. These tests can take several business days to get back from the lab.
Treatments: Your Scout veterinarian wants your pet to feel better just as much as you do! They may recommend fluids under the skin to help with dehydration and medications to directly treat the cause or symptoms. It is important to know that some treatments may take time to kick in!
Follow up appointments: Follow up appointments depend on what you uncover during your visit and results from testing that was performed. If you have a primary care veterinarian that you normally see, you can choose to see them or come back to see Scout.
Remember that you are the best advocate for your pet. If you think it’s a problem, it probably is! We are here for you in your time of need.
