VCA Jackson Animal Hospital

What should I do if my cat has a cough?

Published: Jan 31, 2012

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Although an isolated cough every now and then is likely perfectly normal, cats do develop medical conditions that result in coughing, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.  If you notice your cat coughs with a wet sound or he produces phlegm or sputum, or the coughing is severe or lasts for more than a few days, VCA recommends seeking veterinary assistance.

Coughing is often the result of inflammation, which occurs with a variety of health conditions—such as upper respiratory infections, parasites like heartworms, asthma or bronchitis and even lung tumors. Your vet will most likely need to perform bloodwork as well as chest radiographs (x-rays) to determine the cause of coughing in your cat.

When your cat is coughing or presenting with clinical signs of illness, the best plan is to take your sick cat to a veterinary hospital to be diagnosed and treated.

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Specialty Care

Sometimes sick or injured pets need the care of a veterinary medical specialist. When that happens, VCA specialty hospitals work closely with the general practitioner veterinarians who refer cases to us in order to provide seamless veterinary care to your pet. When your pet is facing any kind of serious illness or injury, our specialty referral hospitals will provide the compassionate and expert care your beloved pet needs.

Our goal is to make sure that when you and your pet are in need that you have access to board certified specialists who are up to date on the very latest developments in their field. In our state of the art hospitals, our specialists also have access to the most sophisticated diagnostic and treatment tools and techniques from ultrasonography and endoscopy to CAT scans and even MRI.

We have over 40 specialty hospitals across the US so there may be one near you. Our specialized services include: behavior, cardiology, critical care, dentistry, dermatology, integrative medicine, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, radiology, rehabilitation, reproduction, and surgery.

Find a VCA Specialty Care Animal Hospital near you:

 

See all VCA Animal Hospitals >

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Emergency Care

In case of emergency, please call us immediately. If it is after hours, check with a local animal hospital emergency clinic.

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