Cat asthma: what you should know

The airways react to irritants or allergens, tighten, and produce extra mucus. Symptoms may come and go, and a quiet period does not rule out asthma. Dust, smoke, strong fragrances, mould, and animal dander can aggravate sensitive airways. Allergic rhinitis and house dust mite allergy may occur alongside breathing symptoms, but neither confirms asthma.

A clinician may listen to your chest, ask when symptoms occur, and consider breathing tests or other checks. Cough, wheezing, and chest tightness can have several causes, so diagnosis should not be made from one symptom alone.

Record when symptoms begin, what was nearby, how long they last, and whether exercise, cold air, dust, or smoke was present. Reduce exposure to smoke and sprays, ventilate rooms, and follow any prescribed asthma plan. Do not start, stop, or share inhalers without medical advice. A clinician can demonstrate technique and decide whether an inhaler or another treatment is appropriate.

Arrange a routine appointment if symptoms recur, disturb sleep, limit activity, or need frequent reliever medicine. Take a list of medicines and, if possible, a short symptom diary.

Seek urgent medical help if breathing becomes severely difficult, speaking is hard, lips look blue or grey, confusion develops, or symptoms worsen quickly. Sit upright, stay as calm as possible, and use a prescribed reliever exactly as your action plan says while help is arranged. Wheezing or chest tightness that does not settle also needs prompt assessment.

Ask what is triggering the symptoms, how asthma will be confirmed, which inhaler is for quick relief, how to use it, and when to seek emergency care. Ask whether an allergy assessment or a written action plan would help.