Coughing Cats - It May Not be as Simple as a Hairball.

A cough is a normal response to clear something from the throat or major airways. An occasional cough is fine but when your cat starts to repeatedly choke and sputter, it should be investigated. Airway irritation can be primary or secondary.

If you notice a cough, observe whether it is productive, the cat brings up a hairball, food or phlegm, or non-productive and dry. The sound of the cough is also important. If the pitch of the cough is high, this may mean an upper airway problem or is it deep? A deep cough may indicate a heart or lower airway difficulty.

After examining your cat and listening to its chest, your veterinarian will need to perform some diagnostic test to help determine the cause. These tests can include radiographs, blood tests; special washes of the airways, or possible use an endoscope to literally look in to the airways with a tiny camera.

Cats can suffer from asthma just as their owners can. The use of inhalers, with special adaptors, is making the control of this disease less reliant on traditional oral medications. And any cat owner will agree that not having to give your cat pills is always a welcome relief for the cat as well as the owner.

Some problems such as collapsing tracheas, tumors in the lungs and heart disease are not curable but the associated cough can be controlled.

So next time you hear your cat cough, don't just assume that it is a mere tickle in its throat. It may be more serious. If the signs persist, see your veterinarian because it is "Your Pet…Health Matters."