Lung edema in a cat: causes, symptoms and treatment

If you live a pet, then you simply have to know about the most dangerous diseases, how to diagnose them and provide first aid. This is very important, so that at the right time, do not get lost and be able to react correctly. Today we will talk about such a serious illness as a lung edema in a cat. This ailment is not independent - it develops against the background of other pathologies. Below we will talk more about this. However, the forecast is unfavorable in some cases.

Causes

Because of what can develop pulmonary edema in a cat? It happens that the owners bring to the doctor a wheezing and choking animal, while others come to consult on insignificant occasions, and as a result, both are given the same diagnosis. So, this is a noninfectious disease that develops because the capillaries and veins are filled with blood, after which the blood plasma enters the bronchioles, bronchi and connective tissue of the lungs.

Development of complications

Next, it develops directly pulmonary edema in a cat. Stagnation of blood leads to the progression of hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the bronchi and lungs. Most often, the root cause of such a violation is inadequate heart activity, physical overload, plague or pneumonia, severe overheating or poisoning with toxic gases.

Complication after sterilization

This procedure is now applied to most of the adult feline stock. Most often, the cat calmly tolerate it and normally goes away from anesthesia. But in some cases, pulmonary edema may develop in cats after sterilization. The animal puts out the tongue and immobilizes, the mouth turns blue. This condition is a consequence of the fact that before the operation the doctors did not examine the heart and did not reveal any irregularities in his work that now give such complications. In this case, the cat should be treated with oxygen therapy, and also enter intramuscularly or intravenously "Furosemide", "Prednisolone". Usually, the condition improves somewhat after injections, but it is required to continue treatment.

Forecasts

Pulmonary edema in a cat is considered a very serious disease. Veterinarians have special methods of treatment and care, but owners should be aware that in some cases this disease is a dying condition. If the animal is young, with a strong immune system, then recovery is possible. However, in this case, there is a danger of recurrence. If there is a repeated swelling within a few months, then it is almost 100% of the cases that lead to a lethal outcome.

Than the disease shows itself?

How can I determine lung edema in cats? Symptoms can be quite different, however, we list everything to let the owners know what to look for.

First of all, you should alert the rapid breathing and shortness of breath of your pet. Even an insignificant display of these signs is a sufficient reason for contacting a veterinarian.

We have already examined how lung edema develops in cats. Causes in each case may be different, which means that the intensity of the development of the symptoms will also differ. The host should be alerted to abdominal breathing, as this is an atypical way for representatives of this species, and it indicates obvious problems.

At later stages, your pet will suffer more and more. His mucous membranes are blue, the cat breathes with an open mouth and distinctly discernible rales. Even later, a cough with sputum and blood appears, limbs become colder - it is almost impossible to save the animal at this stage.

Types of edema

Understand and diagnose a specialist, because, depending on the reasons, the disease can be divided into several types. First of all, the cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic form is isolated. Cardiogenic edema develops against the background of a disorder in the functioning of the heart. In the first place, high blood pressure is observed. It is a consequence of impaired pumping function of the heart. As a result, the liquid begins to penetrate into the alveoli.

Non-cardiogenic form

In this case, the doctor needs to understand the reasons that led to such a violation. This may be a consequence of electrical injury and brain damage. If such an event took place, then you must definitely go to the clinic. Such edema can not develop immediately - this is the main danger.

An infectious pathology can also lead to a similar result. In this case, inflammatory edema develops. The cause of this complication may be a violation of the gastrointestinal tract. Another large category is toxic edema, which is caused by poisoning with carbon monoxide or snake venom.

Allergic conditions and anaphylactic shock, septic shock, tumors, overlapping lymphatic vessels - all these are also variants of events, in the presence of which pulmonary edema develops.

First aid

If you observe one or more of the symptoms described in your pet, then remember that the faster you take him to the hospital, the more chances a doctor has to cure pulmonary edema in cats. Treatment is symptomatic, and depending on the severity of the symptoms, a specialist can change his scheme. The animal must be placed in a ventilated room and avoid drafts.

Before you come to the hospital, do not try to water the animal or forcibly pack it. In addition, it is very dangerous to independently give the animal drugs to stimulate breathing, to try to pump out the liquid or to make artificial respiration. Many owners ask doctors, lung edema in cats - deadly or not? In some cases this disease can lead to death, however, competent therapy can save if this complication is at an early stage. Edema requires intensive care and constant medical supervision, so in this case, inpatient treatment is the best option.

Diagnostics

If the diagnosis is made by the doctor only on the basis of a primary examination, take your pet and go to find a more competent specialist. An accurate diagnosis can not be made without a comprehensive examination. The veterinarian must prescribe an ultrasound, do an x-ray and take tests. Only on the basis of the results can the specialist make a final diagnosis. However, you will not be sent home to wait when tests are ready: ultrasound and X-rays in most clinics can be done almost instantly. After this, if the suspicion of edema is confirmed, leave the pet in the hospital. The results of the tests will only prompt the doctor, in which direction to work, or rather, what is the root cause of the edema.

Basic treatment

As we have already said, it will be symptomatic, that is, the doctor must decide, according to the state of the animal, which drug is in priority today. It is very important to give expectorant and heart means. Here the choice is great, and according to the situation the veterinarian can prescribe "Cordiamin", "Sulfocamphocaine", adrenaline or caffeine. Sometimes it is useful to do bloodletting. Intravenously, a solution of glucose (40%) or a solution of calcium chloride (10%) is used. In addition, it is very important to evaluate clinical tests:

• If a cat has symptoms of a plague, then antiviral drugs are additionally prescribed.
• If the cat has symptoms of hypostatic pneumonia, then antibiotics are additionally used.
• Diuretics are a prerequisite for optimal treatment. Often, "Lasix" or "Furosemide" is prescribed.

Remember that the decision on the necessary treatment should only be taken by a doctor. In the case of self-therapy, the possibility of a lethal outcome increases several fold. However, edema of light cats can be cured. Most importantly - do not waste time and always contact the clinic at the first symptoms.

Prevention

Specific prevention does not exist, because in itself, pulmonary edema in cats does not develop. This is a complication, that is, a consequence preceded by one of the diseases listed above. It is impossible to envisage everything, especially since our smaller brothers can not explain that they have felt bad and where they are hurting. However, prevention can be expressed in a regular visit to the doctor. Preventive examinations and monitoring of the body's condition will not allow the situation when the heart failure of a pet you will learn only when the pulmonary edema develops.