As a veterinarian, I often encounter owners asking, "Why does my cat have the sound of pulling bellows when breathing?".”
In fact, this phenomenon is not uncommon in cats, so, what exactly causes this?
First of all, we need to understand that the normal breathing sound of a cat should be smooth and gentle.
When a cat breathes, if there is a sound similar to pulling the bellows, it is likely to be caused by the following reasons:1Respiratory tract infections: Respiratory infections in cats are a common cause of bellows sounds. Pathogens such as bacteria and viruses invade the cat's respiratory tract, causing inflammation and narrowing the airway when the cat breathes, resulting in abnormal breathing sounds. 2.Bronchitis: When a cat has bronchitis, the bronchial mucosa is inflamed, resulting in a narrowing of the airway, and the sound of pulling the bellows appears when the cat breathes. 3.Asthma: Feline asthma is a chronic respiratory disease in which one of the main symptoms is abnormal breath sounds. When cats with asthma breathe, airway spasms, inflammatory reactions, and phlegm production can cause bellows sounds. 4.Obesity: Obese cats have difficulty breathing due to the accumulation of fat in the abdomen, which compresses the chest cavity, and cats will also have the sound of pulling bellows when breathing. 5.Laryngeal diseases: Cat laryngeal diseases such as laryngitis, laryngeal achondroplasia, etc., will cause the sound of pulling the bellows when the cat breathes.
So, how can you tell if a cat's breathing is abnormal?
As a cat owner, here are a few things you can observe:
1.Observe the cat's respiratory rate. The respiratory rate of a normal cat is 20-30 breaths per minute, and shortness of breath or rapid breathing rate may be an abnormality. 2.Observe the cat's expression as it breathes. The cat's facial expression should be calm when it is breathing normally. If the cat shows painful, nervous emotions when breathing, it may be a problem with the respiratory tract. 3.Listen to the cat's breathing. The cat's normal breathing sound should be gentle, and if there is a rough, hoarse, or bellows sound, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly. 4.Pay attention to the cat's living environment. Changes in the cat's living environment, such as new furniture, detergents, etc., may cause respiratory allergies in the cat, causing abnormal breathing. When it is found that the cat has abnormal breathing, the cat should be taken to the doctor as soon as possible, and through a detailed examination, find out**, and treat the symptoms**.
*Methods include medications**, surgery**, etc., depending on the condition of the cat.
In short, it is not normal for cats to breathe with bellows sounds, and owners should be vigilant to find and solve problems in time.
Only in this way can our cats have a healthy respiratory system and stay with us for a longer time.
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