An elderly cat diagnosed with asthma has melted hearts on Reddit this week after his owner shared how they manage his medical condition.
Vancouver resident Cara, who uses the handle u/thisisjustatributeee, posted a video on Thursday to the r/blackcats subreddit of her 15-year-old black cat, Danzig, using his new inhaler.
"I've had him since I was 21, I'm 36 now," said Cara in the comments on the Reddit post. "He is my best friend."
Feline asthma, just like the condition in humans, affects the lower airways of the lungs. Diagnosed in between 1 and 5 percent of cats, most clinicians and researchers agree that it is usually caused by an allergic reaction.
Cara told Newsweek that Danzig started experiencing asthma symptoms on October 9. Clinical signs that a cat may be suffering from asthma include signs of breathing difficulties, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing, open-mouthed breathing and vomiting.
She took Danzig to see their local vet.
"He was coughing and retching. I'd never noticed this before," Cara said. "He had to get a chest x-ray and the radiologist called to let us know [the diagnosis]."
To treat feline asthma, vets will prescribe drugs available in oral, inhaled, and injectable forms to reduce the inflammation in the lungs. Danzig has taken to his new inhaler well as Cara administers it twice a day.
"I posted the video because I wanted to show that it is easy to care for a senior cat," said Cara. "The prognosis is good, he is doing well so far."
Redditors shared their good wishes with Cara and Danzig in the comments on her post.
Didn't know that a cat can get asthma. Hope he does well," one person commented.
Another Redditor wrote: "One of my black cats is asthmatic too, he takes his hit from his inhaler at night then gets greenies. He even jumps on the counter for it, we don't have to pick him up or hold him down."
"What a champ," said another pet lover.
A commenter wrote: "I love you for doing this for him. I love your soul. Thank you. Please give kitty a big hug for me."
A fellow pet owner shared their unusual tactic for giving asthmatic cats the medicine they need in the comments.
"I had an asthmatic cat. I would puff my inhaler in my mouth and blow it into his mouth. Worked every time. Good luck with your kitty," they wrote.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine says that while feline asthma is a progressive condition, it can be well managed.
"Although cats can never be truly cured of asthma, by carefully monitoring their respiratory effort, keeping an eye out for coughing, and intervening with medication when they need help, owners can help their asthmatic cats live happily for years," the university explained.
"He is the best boi," said another commenter on the Reddit post. "So glad you are able to take such good care of him."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
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