Motor Disturbance
Respiratory symptoms
Learn about FIP respiratory symptoms in cats, including coughing and abdominal breathing, and understand their impact on your cat’s health
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Abdominal breathing
Pathogeny
1.Pleural Effusion
Pathophysiology: Pleural effusion, or fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity, is a common complication of FIP.
Mechanism: Accumulated fluid in the pleural space exerts pressure on the lungs, reducing their capacity to expand normally. This leads to increased abdominal breathing as the cat compensates for impaired lung function. The fluid causes discomfort and shortness of breath, making the cat use its abdominal muscles to aid in breathing.
2.Ascites
Pathophysiology: Ascites, or fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, is another significant symptom of FIP.
Mechanism: The excess fluid in the abdomen can cause abdominal distension, which impacts the diaphragm’s movement and the efficiency of normal breathing. The increased abdominal pressure forces the cat to rely on abdominal breathing, as it struggles to breathe deeply and effectively.
3.Respiratory Complications
Pathophysiology: FIP can involve secondary respiratory complications due to the involvement of adjacent structures.
Mechanism: Secondary respiratory issues may arise from inflammation or compression of the airways or lung tissues due to fluid accumulation. This can lead to labored and shallow breathing, with a tendency towards abdominal breathing as the cat tries to maximize airflow despite restricted lung function.
4.Pain and Discomfort
Pathophysiology: Pain associated with FIP, especially from abdominal distension or thoracic pressure, can alter normal respiratory patterns.
Mechanism: Pain can lead to shallow, rapid breathing or the adoption of abdominal breathing as a response to discomfort. The cat may use its abdominal muscles to aid in breathing if thoracic movement is painful or restricted.
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Gingivitis
Pathogeny
1.Pleural Effusion
Pathophysiology: Pleural effusion, characterized by fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity, is a common complication of FIP.
Mechanism: The presence of excess fluid in the pleural space can irritate the respiratory system and compress the lungs, leading to coughing as a reflex to clear the airway. The fluid buildup can cause discomfort and trigger a cough reflex in an attempt to expel the irritating fluid or alleviate pressure on the lungs.
2.Lung Involvement
Pathophysiology: FIP can lead to inflammation or infection of the lungs, either directly or indirectly.
Mechanism: Inflammatory responses in the lung tissues can cause irritation and produce a cough. This inflammation may be due to immune-mediated damage or secondary infections that exacerbate the respiratory distress, prompting coughing as a symptom of lung irritation or damage.
3.Irritation of the Airways
Pathophysiology: FIP can cause or exacerbate irritation of the airways, either from fluid accumulation or inflammatory processes.
Mechanism: The irritation of the bronchial passages or trachea due to inflammation or fluid accumulation can lead to coughing. The cough serves as a defensive mechanism to clear the irritants or secretions from the airways, helping to alleviate the discomfort caused by the irritation.
4.Secondary Respiratory Infections
Pathophysiology: Cats with FIP are at increased risk for secondary respiratory infections due to a compromised immune system.
Mechanism: Secondary bacterial or viral infections can inflame the respiratory tract, causing coughing as a symptom of infection. The presence of secondary pathogens exacerbates respiratory symptoms and contributes to the coughing reflex.
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