Symptoms & Treatments for Cat Respiratory Foreign Bodie
Signs of Foreign Objects in a Cat's Respiratory System
Part One: Symptoms of Foreign Objects in a Cat's Nose
1. Runny nose
2. Frequent sneezing
3. Constantly scratching at the nose
4. Nosebleeds
Part Two: Symptoms of Foreign Objects in a Cat's Throat
1. Unusual or exaggerated tongue movements
2. Persistent face and mouth scratching
3. Abnormal saliva production
4. Difficulty swallowing
5. Bad breath
Part Three: Symptoms of Foreign Objects in a Cat's Trachea
1. Coughing
2. Difficulty breathing
3. Vomiting
4. Wheezing
5. Cyanosis (blue gums)
6. Fainting
Part Four: Symptoms of Foreign Objects in a Cat's Bronchi
1. Coughing
2. Respiratory distress
3. Fever
4. Anorexia
5. Depression
Special Attention to Foreign Objects in the Nose and Throat
For cats with foreign objects in their nose or throat, a thorough oral and nasal examination is crucial.
1. It is recommended to conduct baseline complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry, and urinalysis for these patients.
2. Chest and neck Xrays
3. Skull or nasal radiographs
4. Computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
5. Rhinoscopy, or nasal endoscopy
6. Bronchoscopy (to assess the trachea) or bronchoscopy (to assess the bronchi)
7. Nasal surgery
Treatment for Foreign Objects in a Cat's Respiratory System
1. Manual removal of foreign objects in the nose or throat may be necessary.
2. Bronchoscopy or bronchoscopy with related foreign body extraction may also be required.
3. For foreign bodies that cannot be removed by endoscopy or have moved into the lungs, surgery may be necessary.
4. Antibiotic therapy may help control secondary infections.
Early detection and removal are key to recovery. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for all medications and return for followup treatment. Cats with respiratory foreign bodies often have a good prognosis and can fully recover. In some cases, such as with grass awns or broken branches, foreign bodies may not be detectable, leading to chronic lung disease or migration within the body, causing severe complications and sometimes even death.
