Help your cat breathe easy — treat coughing from home

Cats can cough for many reasons—some mild, some more serious. It's important to pay attention to the nature of the cough and whether it's accompanied by other symptoms. Here are some common causes of coughing in cats: • Hairballs: Let's start with the classic culprit: hairballs! Cats, especially those with long fur, tend to groom themselves frequently, and sometimes they swallow hair, which can get stuck in their throat and cause them to cough. If the cough sounds like a "gag" or a "hack," it could be due to a hairball trying to make its way out. Hairballs are a common and generally harmless cause of coughing. • Respiratory Infections: A cat with a respiratory infection (like feline upper respiratory disease or feline asthma) may cough as their body tries to clear mucus or irritants from the airways. Coughing from an infection is often accompanied by other symptoms like sneezing, nasal discharge, or watery eyes. • Feline Asthma: Feline asthma is a condition in which a cat's airways become inflamed, leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. It's more common in cats that live in cities or in households with a lot of dust or smoke, but it can affect cats anywhere. Asthma-related coughing is typically a dry, hacking cough, and may be accompanied by labored breathing. • Allergies: Just like people, cats can have allergies too! Whether it's pollen, dust mites, or even certain foods, allergens can trigger coughing in cats. If your cat is sneezing or has watery eyes along with their cough, allergies might be the cause. • Heart Disease: In rare cases, coughing in cats can be linked to heart disease. If the heart is struggling to pump blood properly, fluid can build up in the lungs, causing coughing and labored breathing. This is more common in older cats or cats with certain health conditions, and it typically requires medical intervention. • Foreign Objects: Cats are curious creatures, and sometimes that curiosity leads them to swallow or inhale small objects. If your cat coughs suddenly and persistently, and especially if they seem to be choking, they could have something stuck in their throat or airways. • Parasites: In some cases, coughing in cats can be caused by parasites, like heartworms or lungworms. These parasites can affect the lungs, causing coughing and difficulty breathing. While this is rare in cats, it's still a possibility, particularly in areas where these parasites are more common.

A single, occasional cough may not be cause for concern, especially if it's linked to something like hairballs. But if your cat's cough is persistent, recurring, or accompanied by other symptoms, it's time to take action. Watch for these warning signs that indicate your cat's cough needs veterinary attention: • Persistent coughing that doesn't resolve after a day or two • Coughing fits that seem to be getting worse or more frequent • Wheezing or labored breathing between or during coughing episodes • Nasal discharge or a runny nose accompanying the cough • Loss of appetite or lethargy • Coughing up mucus or blood (this requires immediate attention) • Blue-tinged gums or tongue (a sign of oxygen deprivation requiring emergency care) • Change in behavior or energy levels • Open-mouth breathing or panting (cats normally breathe through their nose) • Difficulty swallowing or excessive drooling Cats are masters at hiding illness, so when they do show signs of discomfort like coughing, it's important to address it quickly. What might seem like a minor issue could be a symptom of something more serious. Luckily, with Telavets, you don't have to leave the house to get your cat the care they need. We're here to help you figure out why your cat is coughing and provide solutions to get them feeling better!

At Telavets, we offer telemedicine consultations for cats, which means you can talk to a veterinary professional from the comfort of your own home (no stressful trips to the clinic!). Here's how we can help your cat's cough: 1. Virtual Vet Consultations – No Waiting Rooms Required Your cat doesn't want to wait in a sterile clinic for hours, and frankly, neither do you! With Telavets, you can schedule a virtual vet consultation to discuss your cat's symptoms and figure out what's causing the coughing. Whether it's a hairball, allergies, or something more serious, our experienced vets will help you get to the bottom of it. 2. Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment Plans Coughing can be caused by a number of things, and getting an accurate diagnosis is key to helping your cat feel better. Once we understand the cause of the cough, we'll create a personalized treatment plan. This could include: • Medications to treat respiratory infections, asthma, or allergies • Cough suppressants if needed, to help ease your cat's discomfort • Steroids or bronchodilators for conditions like feline asthma or inflammation of the airways • Home care tips for managing allergies, like air purifiers or changing your cat's environment to reduce triggers • Dietary recommendations if the cough is related to food allergies 3. Next-Day Medication Delivery – Fast Relief Once we've prescribed medication or other treatments, you won't have to wait long to start helping your cat. Telavets offers next-day medication delivery, so if your cat needs antibiotics, asthma meds, or even a prescription for anti-allergy medication, we'll get it to you fast! That means your cat can start feeling better, sooner. 4. Follow-Up Support – We're Here for the Long Haul Coughing can sometimes be a symptom of a chronic condition, like asthma, and managing these conditions requires ongoing care. We offer follow-up consultations to monitor your cat's progress, adjust their treatment plan if needed, and ensure they're staying healthy and happy. Your cat's wellness is our top priority!

To help you understand the most common causes of coughing in cats, let's go over a few in more detail and explain how Telavets can help: 1. Hairballs Hairballs are super common, especially in long-haired cats. While they're often harmless, they can cause coughing and gagging. If your cat is coughing up a hairball, we can recommend: • Special hairball control diets that help reduce shedding • Hairball lubricants or gels that help hair pass through the digestive system • Regular grooming routines to remove loose fur before your cat ingests it • Fiber supplements to help move hair through the digestive tract 2. Feline Asthma Asthma in cats is often characterized by dry, hacking coughs, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. If we suspect asthma, we can help with: • Prescription medications like bronchodilators or steroids to help control inflammation • Advice on minimizing environmental triggers like smoke, dust, or strong scents • Monitoring and management plans for long-term control • Emergency protocols in case of severe asthma attacks 3. Respiratory Infections Cats, especially young or stressed-out kitties, can develop upper respiratory infections. We can assist with: • Antibiotics for bacterial infections • Antiviral medications for certain viral infections • Supportive care recommendations to help your cat recover • Follow-up care to ensure the infection clears completely 4. Allergies If your cat's cough is accompanied by sneezing, watery eyes, or itchy skin, allergies might be the cause. Our approach may include: • Identifying potential allergens in your home environment • Recommending antihistamines or other allergy medications • Suggesting dietary changes for food-related allergies • Creating an allergen avoidance plan specific to your cat's triggers 5. Heart Disease Though rare, coughing due to heart disease in cats is possible. If we suspect heart issues, we can help with: • Initial assessment and referral to cardiac specialists if needed • Prescription heart medications to manage symptoms • Monitoring protocols for at-home care • Regular follow-ups to track your cat's heart health and adjust treatment as needed

We know how concerning it can be when your cat isn't feeling well. That's why we're here to provide expert care in a convenient, stress-free way. Here's why Telavets is the best choice for managing your cat's cough: • Convenience: No clinic visits, no waiting rooms—just easy online consultations from home. This is especially beneficial for cats who get stressed during travel or at the vet's office. • Expert Care: Our veterinarians specialize in feline health, including respiratory issues and chronic conditions like asthma. We stay up-to-date on the latest treatments and approaches. • Fast Medication Delivery: We offer next-day delivery for prescriptions, so your cat can start feeling better ASAP. No need to make an extra trip to the pharmacy. • Comprehensive Approach: We don't just treat symptoms—we work to find the underlying cause of your cat's cough and address it directly. • Personalized Treatment Plans: Every cat is unique, and we tailor our recommendations to your specific situation and your cat's health needs. • Ongoing Support: We'll be with you every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up care. Chronic conditions like asthma require ongoing management, and we're here to help for the long term. • Stress-Free for Your Cat: Cats are notorious for hiding symptoms at the vet's office due to stress. With virtual consultations, your cat stays in their comfortable environment, allowing us to get a more accurate picture of their symptoms. A coughing cat is a cat that needs your attention! Whether it's a simple hairball or a more serious condition, Telavets is here to help you find the cause and provide the right treatment to get your cat back to their playful, purring self. Ready to help your cat breathe easier? Schedule a consultation with Telavets today, and let's get that cough under control—so your kitty can get back to the important business of napping, playing, and cuddling!