Menu

Asthma

Asthma is a condition which affects a surprising number of pets. Typically found in cats and dogs, it involves repeat episodes of wheezing, coughing and overall difficulty breathing. As your leading Knoxville, TN vet, Bluegrass Animal Hospital is dedicated to keeping its pet visitors happy, healthy and comfortable.

Asthma

Asthma Causes

While asthma appears differently depending on the animal, it typically shares the same cause across most cases: airway constriction. This constriction can occur for, seemingly, no reason at all. Or, it can be triggered by something your pet has inhaled from their environment—or even from something they’ve eaten.

Asthma is typically caused by the inhalation of mold, mildew, pollen, and grasses. In some cases, though, it can be caused by a pet’s contact with air pollution, like smog or smoke. Pesticides and fertilizers are also common causes of asthma, as well as cat litter, remodeling products, aerosol sprays, and even animal dander.

Asthma Symptoms

Asthma can be spotted by general difficulty drawing breath, often erupting as a dry hack which sounds like retching, gagging or wheezing. In some cases, these noises might be high-pitched—sounding off like a light sigh, or even a whistle.

Asthma can also be determined by your pet’s gums: Gums with a bluish tint, or even pale membranes, can be indicative of asthma. In most cases, a pet’s labored breathing will be accompanied by lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss and exercise intolerance.

Contacting Your Vet

Because asthma can become a chronic condition rather quickly, it can cause irreversible damage to the sensitive tissue linings of the pet’s respiratory passageways. Sometimes, asthma’s severity can’t be determined at home. For this reason, it’s a good idea to contact your vet immediately if you suspect your animal is suffering from asthma. An acute asthma attack can even cause suffocation in your pet, resulting in medical emergencies which require immediate medical attention.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Here at Bluegrass Animal Hospital, we want to make sure your pet is safe and sound. If your cat or dog is having trouble breathing, don’t hesitate before contacting us. Our professional care team can conduct chest x-rays, examine the lungs and provide trans-tracheal washes to relieve asthma symptoms—and our technician team does its very best to make sure all inspections, treatments, and aftercare options are as comfortable as possible. Give us a call today at (865) 694-8387, or bring your pet in for a visit to assure their longevity.

Office Hours

Monday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location