Persistent Cough & Neck Twitching in Cats: Possible Cau

When a cat coughs, it's not uncommon to see its neck twitching along with the cough. This is a natural response, much like in humans, where the throat or lungs are stimulated, causing a cough that leads to vibrations in the throat and chest, often accompanied by a head shake. When a cat coughs, it may halt its movement or play, stretching its neck forward and adopting a posture similar to a hen squatting in place to cough. The coughing in cats is marked by a剧烈 vibration in the throat and chest, primarily as the animal attempts to forcefully expel air from its lungs.

Understanding the Reasons for a Cat's Cough:

There are typically four common causes of coughing in cats, which can be categorized as follows:

1. Infectious Coughs: These are primarily caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections. When the throat or lungs of a cat are infected, it can lead to inflammation and irritation, triggering coughing.

2. Foreign Body Irritation: This type of coughing often occurs due to irritants in the nasal passages or throat, which can cause coughing after prolonged exposure.

3. External Force Trauma: Coughs resulting from external impacts can include injuries, pleural effusion, lymph node enlargement, or cancerous tumors that compress the lungs. This pressure on the airways can make it difficult for the cat to exhale, prompting coughing as a means to release air from the lungs and alleviate the pressure.

4. Allergic Asthma: Also known as chronic bronchitis in cats, allergic asthma is triggered by allergens that cause the airways to constrict. As the condition worsens, it can lead to bronchial dilation and pulmonary edema. The asthma persists as long as the allergen is present.

Tip: For more information on why cats seem to cough as if they're choking, click on "Why Does My Cat Cough as If Choking?"