Page 99 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

7 – THE COUGHING CAT 91

● Inhalation of noxious agents (p 99)
Inhalation of gas, smoke, fumes, dust particles or hair can stimulate an aggressive cough reaction.
NEOPLASTIC
● Airway/pulmonary neoplasia (p 97)
Tracheal masses and primary or metastatic pulmonary masses in middle-aged to older cats may
cause coughing ranging from soft to harsh and productive. Weight loss and ill-thrift are also seen.
● Pleural/mediastinal masses (p 107)
These masses cause pleural effusion or extraluminal compression of the trachea resulting in dyspnea,
orthopnea, tachypnea and rarely cough. Heart and lung sounds are muffled from pleural effusion.
INFECTIOUS

Bacterial:
● Pneumonia (p 103)
Lethargy, inappetence, tachypnea, fever and halitosis are typical signs. Moist, productive cough and dysp-
nea may be present. Causes may include bacterial, fungal, viral, protozoal (toxoplasmosis) and chlamy-
dophila felis pneumonitis.
● Bordetella* (p 98)
Acute onset of pyrexia, sneezing and nasal discharge. Coughing may be spontaneous or only evi-
dent on tracheal pressure. Signs resolve in 1–2 weeks.
Parasitic:
● Parasitic pnemonia (p 106)
A variable degree of coughing occurs. Peripheral eosinophilia or parasitic larva/ova may be present
in the stool or lungwash. Lungworm (Aleurostrongylus abstrusus, Capillaria aerophilia), lung
flukes (Paragonumus kellicoti) and migrating nematodes (Toxacara cati) are potential causes.
● Heartworm disease* (p 104)
Coughing, dyspnea and vomiting may occur together. Acute respiratory failure and death may
occur from acute pulmonary inflammation and edema. Generally limited to cats from heartworm
endemic areas.

Immune:
● Feline asthma/bronchitis complex*** (p 92)
An inhalant allergic response leads to bronchitis and bronchospasm. Coughing is the most com-
mon clinical sign, along with expiratory dyspnea and wheezing.
● Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophils (PIE)/Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy* (p 96)
Coughing varies from mild to severe. Crackles or wheezes, or areas of diminished lung sounds are
heard on auscultation. Cats may have peripheral eosinophilia on CBC. Thoracic radiographs often
show an interstitial pattern, although patchy alveolar or nodular densities may occur.
● Laryngitis (p 101)
Laryngeal edema from allergic reactions and idiopathic laryngeal paralysis have been reported in
the cat. They may lead to aspiration of food, water or saliva and create significant harsh coughing.
Stridor, dysphonia and inspiratory dyspnea are reported.