Signs of a Blocked Airway
A cat with a blocked airway may show signs of breathing difficulty, including panting, wheezing, gagging, or choking sounds. They may have blue-tinged gums or tongue, indicating a lack of oxygen. In severe cases, collapse, loss of consciousness, or even death can occur if the airway remains blocked. Other signs include:[1]
- Labored breathing (dyspnea)
- Open-mouth breathing
- Extending the neck to open the airway
- Coughing or retching
- Restlessness or distress
It’s crucial to get immediate veterinary care for a cat showing signs of airway obstruction, as their condition can worsen rapidly. Quick action is needed to restore normal breathing and prevent complications or death. Some common causes of airway blockages in cats include foreign objects lodged in the throat, infections, masses or swelling in the airways, and certain genetic or anatomical abnormalities.
Causes of Blocked Airways
There are several potential causes of a blocked airway in cats:
Foreign Objects
Cats are curious creatures and will sometimes swallow or inhale objects that can get stuck in their airway. Common culprits include bones, balls, string, rubber bands, and plastic bags. If an object blocks the airway, it prevents proper breathing.
Infections
Infections in the nose, throat, trachea, or lungs can cause swelling and inflammation that narrows the airways. Upper respiratory infections from viruses like feline herpesvirus and calicivirus are common causes. Bacterial pneumonia, fungal infections, and parasites like heartworms can also be implicated.
Allergies
Allergies to things like pollen, dust, molds, and dander can trigger asthma-like attacks in cats. Inflammation and bronchoconstriction causes difficulty breathing. Cats may cough, wheeze, or breathe with an open mouth.
Asthma
Some cats suffer from feline asthma, which causes intermittent attacks of labored breathing, coughing, and wheezing. During an attack, inflammation narrows the airways. Asthma attacks can be life-threatening if severe.
Tumors
Rarely, tumors in the nose, throat, trachea, or lungs can physically block airflow. Tumors may be benign or malignant. Signs often come on slowly.
Trauma
Blunt trauma to the neck or chest can damage structures in the airway. Being hit by a car, falling from a height, or getting caught in something are potential trauma risks. This causes immediate and severe breathing difficulty.
First Aid for Blocked Airways
If your cat is choking and you can see an object lodged in their throat or mouth, the first step is to clear the airway. Gently open your cat’s mouth and remove the obstruction if possible. Be careful not to push the object further down their throat. According to Hill’s Pet, you can perform a “mouth sweep” by gently opening your cat’s jaws and sweeping a finger inside their mouth to remove any obstructions.
If you don’t see an obstruction, lift your cat’s chin up to open their airway. Gently blow into their nose while closing their mouth, or place your mouth over their nose to administer rescue breaths. Give 1 breath every 3-5 seconds. Watch for their chest to rise with each breath, which indicates air is getting through. As shown in this YouTube video, you can administer gentle chest compressions by placing your hands on either side of their rib cage and compressing gently.
Be very careful administering first aid to a choking cat. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if their breathing does not improve or they lose consciousness. Time is critical when a cat’s airway is blocked.
Emergency Veterinary Care
If a cat is showing signs of a blocked airway, immediate veterinary care is crucial. At the veterinary hospital, the first priority will be re-establishing an open airway and restoring oxygen flow to the lungs.
Oxygen therapy may be given through an oxygen mask, cage, or other means to increase oxygen levels and reduce respiratory distress. Suctioning the airway directly can help dislodge obstructions. Medications such as steroids, bronchodilators, and sedatives may also be given to reduce inflammation and open up airways.
Sedation is often required to fully examine the airways through endoscopy or other imaging tests and determine the location and cause of the obstruction. X-rays, CT scans, or MRI may be used to get a closer look at the respiratory tract.
Once the underlying cause is found, targeted treatment can begin. This may include retrieving foreign objects, surgery for masses or deformities, stents for collapsed tracheas, or other interventions.[1]
Cats with severe respiratory distress or a complete blockage may require an emergency tracheotomy or intubation to bypass the obstruction and maintain airflow. These emergency procedures can be lifesaving while underlying issues are addressed.
Preventing Blocked Airways
There are several steps cat owners can take to help prevent their cat’s airway from becoming blocked:
Keep hazardous objects out of reach. Make sure small items like rubber bands, string, ribbons, toys with small parts etc. are kept where cats can’t access them. Cats are very curious and may try to eat or play with unsafe objects.
Use a well-fitted collar or harness when outside. Loose collars can get caught on objects and strangle a cat. A harness provides more control and less risk.
Feed proper food textures. Feed cats food that is the appropriate size and texture for their age to reduce choking risk. Kittens should be fed gruel or mashed food. Adults can have small kibble.
Keep the litter box clean. Cats with respiratory issues like asthma can have attacks triggered by dust and smells. Frequently scoop litter boxes and change the litter regularly.
Providing a safe environment, proper food, and good litter box hygiene can go a long way in preventing airway obstructions in cats.
At-Risk Cats
Certain cats are at higher risk for developing blocked airways. This includes:
Kittens
Kittens have narrower airways that are more prone to swelling and obstruction from infection or inflammation (1). Upper respiratory infections are common in young cats, especially in crowded conditions like shelters or catteries, and can cause congestion and mucus that blocks airflow (2).
Curious Cats
Cats that are curious and get into things are at risk if they accidentally inhale or swallow foreign objects that could lodge in their airway. Things like pieces of toys, plants, hairballs, food, etc. can block their throats or windpipes (3).
Cats with Allergies
Allergies to things like pollen, dust, or food can cause inflammation in a cat’s nasal passages and throat, narrowing their airways. Allergic swelling combined with mucus production can obstruct their ability to breathe (1).
Respiratory Infections
Upper respiratory infections from viruses or bacteria commonly cause congestion, swelling, and mucus that can partially or fully block air flow (2). The infections themselves as well as secondary pneumonia are risks.
Neck or Chest Injuries
Trauma to a cat’s neck, throat, or chest may damage structures like the trachea or larynx. Swelling from bruising or damage from wounds can obstruct airflow (3). Things like high falls, dog attacks, or getting hit by a car put cats at risk.
Diagnostic Tests
If a cat is showing signs of a potential blocked airway, the veterinarian will first perform a physical examination. They will check the cat’s vital signs, listen to the chest and heart with a stethoscope, and feel for any obstructions in the neck and throat area. The vet may also watch the cat breathe to check for increased effort or abnormal respiratory patterns.
Chest X-rays are often done next to look for any foreign objects, masses, or other abnormalities obstructing the airways. X-rays can also reveal lung collapse or pneumonia which may be related to an obstruction.
If the site of obstruction can’t be found with X-rays, more advanced imaging may be used. Bronchoscopy allows the vet to pass a tiny camera into the airways to visually inspect for blockages. CT scans provide detailed 3D images of the airways and lungs.
In some cases, endoscopy of the upper airways may be performed. This involves placing a camera into the nose, mouth, and throat to check for obstructions like stenosis, polyps, infections, or masses.
Short-Term Outlook
The short-term prognosis for a cat with a blocked airway depends on how quickly treatment is administered. If addressed immediately, most cats will make a full recovery. However, delays in treatment can lead to complications or even death from oxygen deprivation.
With prompt veterinary care, the prognosis is good. Vets will often sedate the cat and pass an endotracheal tube to open up the airway. Oxygen therapy may also be administered. Most cats show improvement within a few hours as swelling goes down and airways reopen. Mild cases may only require anti-inflammatories and rest.
More severe blockages could lead to secondary complications like pneumothorax (collapsed lung), aspiration pneumonia from inhaling foreign material, or hypoxemia (low oxygen levels) which can damage organs. These make the prognosis guarded to poor. However, with intensive hospitalization and care, many cats can still recover.
Following discharge, cats may need medications and restricted activity during the recovery period. Prognosis is good for full recovery within 2-4 weeks if no permanent damage occurred.
Long-Term Management
If your cat has experienced a blocked airway, ongoing monitoring and management will be crucial to prevent future episodes and ensure your cat’s long-term health and wellbeing. Here are some tips for long-term care:
Monitoring Breathing: Keep a close eye on your cat’s breathing every day, watching for any noises, effort, or changes. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any return of respiratory distress. You may need to monitor eating as well if your cat had something lodged in their throat.
Follow-up Vet Visits: Your vet will likely want to see your cat for follow-up exams periodically after the initial emergency to check on their progress. Bring up any concerns about breathing, activity levels, or appetite at these visits. Imaging tests like X-rays may be recommended to ensure proper healing.
Preventing Future Episodes: Depending on the cause of your cat’s airway obstruction, your vet can advise you on steps to reduce risk of recurrence. This may include avoiding certain toys or treats, managing allergies, getting dental cleanings, or keeping your cat’s weight down. For brachycephalic cats, be very cautious about heat, exercise, collars, and excitement.[1]
When to Seek Help
Some signs indicate your cat needs immediate veterinary attention. Difficulty breathing, gagging, pale gums, and collapse are emergency warning signs that require urgent vet care.
According to Blocked Cats are an Emergency – Veterinary Partner – VIN, cats that are struggling to breathe, gagging, or collapsing need to be seen by a vet right away, as these are signs of a blocked airway.
Pale gums or tongue are also a cause for concern, as they can indicate poor oxygen circulation. Don’t delay – contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these signs.
Other signals like lethargy, weakness, hiding, and loss of appetite may indicate illness, but difficulty breathing, gagging, pale gums, and collapse require emergency vet assistance without delay.