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To help cats in the heat, you should firstly ensure that they drink enough water and secondly cool them down. To ensure that your cat drinks enough, you should offer it wet food and fresh water at various places in the home. Moving water in the form of a drinking fountain, ice cubes in the bowl and tasty alternatives such as unsalted broth, tuna water or special cat drinks make drinking more attractive. To keep your cat's body cool, you can lay out damp towels, make wet wraps, spray it with water and brush its fur daily to remove excess hair. Make sure that your home is as cool as possible and that your cat has access to cold rooms such as the bathroom or cellar to retreat to.

Cats usually behave sluggishly and listlessly when it is very hot. As they only have a few sweat glands, they find it difficult to regulate their body temperature. To cool down, they look for a shady and cool spot if possible and spend a lot of time grooming their fur. Licking their fur creates moisture, which evaporates in the heat and cools the body. As the heat affects digestion and your cat is less active, it will also eat less than usual. If the heat is too high and the animal does not drink enough fluids, there is a risk of heatstroke or dehydration in the worst case, which can manifest itself in restless behaviour, trembling, cramps and apathy. You should therefore keep a close eye on your cat in high temperatures, make sure it drinks enough fluids and provide it with a cool place to rest at all times.

If cats have been operated on under anaesthetic, the body initially needs a few hours to re-sort itself. Coordination and the swallowing mechanism are still impaired immediately after the anaesthetic and the gastrointestinal tract also needs some time to function as before. You should therefore not offer your cat anything to eat in the first few hours after an operation anyway. Only provide water, but supervise your cat while it drinks. You can observe your cat to best judge when it will be able to eat again without any problems. When your cat's gait, behaviour, breathing and swallowing have returned to normal and the animal signals that it is hungry, you can start again with small, easily digestible portions. If the loss of appetite persists over a longer period of time or if the cat refuses to eat for other reasons, you should contact a vet.

After waking up from anaesthesia, cats are often still sleepy, sometimes even a little foggy. Difficulties with coordination and orientation can occur during this phase. After a maximum of 24 hours, however, such symptoms should be over, as the after-effects of the anaesthetic are usually over by then. Intubation anaesthesia is an exception: coughing or sputum production may still occur a few days after the procedure. If you are unsure whether the symptoms are related to the anaesthetic, it is always better to be safe than sorry. The vet will certainly be able to help you.

Cats are particularly sensitive to loud noises as they have very sensitive hearing. Fireworks, sirens, thunderstorms, loud household appliances or the crackling of aluminium foil and similar noises are very unpleasant for cats' ears and frighten the animals. Loud shouting also has a disturbing effect on animals. So if your pet has done something wrong, do not shout at it under any circumstances.

Cats have a large repertoire of sounds. The best known is probably meowing, which cats use to communicate with their owners. The animals also often purr. This shows that they feel comfortable. In some cases, they also use purring to calm themselves down in situations of fear or pain. If a cat feels threatened or annoyed, it hisses. The hissing is a warning. The same applies to humming noises, which are also intended to warn the other person. However, it is also possible that a cat hums due to fear. If warnings such as growling or hissing are ignored, an attack may occur. The animal then often screams or howls. However, cats also howl when they are in pain or afraid. If the animals observe flies or birds, they make a chattering sound.

Cats meow to communicate with us humans. Cats only meow amongst themselves when they are kittens. So if your cat meows, it is trying to tell you something. The meowing can mean hunger or a request to open a door. But sometimes cats meow simply to entertain themselves. The louder the meowing, the more urgent the desire for attention. Once you have got to know your cat better, you will be able to interpret the meowing correctly in most cases. The noise sounds slightly different from one request to the next.

The worming treatment works for 24 to 72 hours. In the case of a light infestation, all worms and eggs in the cat's organism are usually killed during this period. However, if your cat suffers from a severe worm infestation, some worms and eggs may survive. In this case, it is therefore advisable to give your cat another worming treatment after four weeks.

The most common method of deworming cats is with spot-on products. Depending on the weight, a certain amount is dripped into the cat's neck. From there the skin absorbs the product. It kills worms and eggs in the organism itself. In addition to the spot-on, it is also possible to administer a worming treatment with tablets or pastes. However, cats often refuse to eat these, which is why spot ons are easier to administer.

The frequency of worming your cat depends on various factors. In principle, outdoor cats should be wormed at least quarterly. The risk of infection is lower in indoor cats, which is why one worming treatment per year is usually sufficient. Animals suffering from a heavy worm infestation should be given a second worming treatment four weeks after the first. This will also kill off any remaining infestation. A monthly worming treatment is recommended for cats with a weak immune system, as the worm infestation further weakens the immune system. Kittens are wormed even more frequently. For the first time in the fourth week of life and then every fortnight. Only after they have been separated from their mother for at least two weeks can the frequency of worming be reduced. Suckling animals should also be wormed regularly to avoid infecting the kittens.

Several steps are necessary to successfully get cat fleas out of the home:

1. Treatment of the cat with anti-flea products from the vet (e.g. spot-on preparations or tablets)
2. Thorough cleaning of all surfaces with detergent
3. Careful cleaning of the floor with a hoover and mop. Be sure to dispose of the hoover bag afterwards.
4. Wash all textiles at a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius
5. Freeze all other contaminated objects at a minimum of -18 degrees Celsius for at least 48 hours
6. Use anti-flea environmental sprays or use professional nebulisers if they are ineffective

In addition, you should also treat all other pets prophylactically against fleas and also protect yourself and other people from fleas and use products such as flea shampoo etc. if necessary. Do not stop flea treatment too soon and repeat the cleaning of the home regularly to ensure that the last flea eggs, larvae or pupae are safely removed.

Cat fleas can be transmitted from cats to both humans and other animals. This is because the cat flea also accepts other living creatures as hosts in its search for blood and jumps over to them. For this reason, you should always isolate an infested cat from other pets and keep as far away from it as possible. As fleas multiply rapidly and spread their eggs throughout the entire environment, effective control requires not only thorough cleaning of the home but also acute or preventative treatment of all other pets and residents, including humans.

Vomiting hairballs is initially quite normal in cats and is part of everyday life. As a rule, cats regurgitate hairballs around once or twice a week. As they swallow a lot of hair in the course of grooming, hairballs can also be found in their faeces. If your cat is a long-haired cat or a cat with a particularly thick undercoat, it may vomit hairballs more often. Your cat may also regurgitate hairballs more frequently in spring or autumn due to the change of coat, but if your cat regurgitates large hairballs unusually often, you should take note. Unsuccessful attempts to retch, vomit or defecate are also clear warning signs. The hairballs in your cat's stomach may be too large to get rid of naturally. Affected velvet paws often show loss of appetite and tenderness in the abdominal region. Vomiting of undigested food or diarrhoea are also possible. Consult a vet immediately at the first sign of hairballs, as they can otherwise lead to inflammation and an intestinal blockage.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

If your cat frequently vomits hairballs or generally has a lot of fur and sheds a lot, you can help her in various ways: Brush and comb their fur regularly and remove loose and dead hair so that your velvet paw does not swallow it. This will prevent hairballs from forming. You can also make it easier for your cat to vomit hairballs or excrete them in their faeces. To do this, you should change your cat's diet to several small meals of wet or dry food per day to stimulate intestinal activity, and if your cat has difficulty excreting hairballs, you can help with cat grass. To do this, place one or more pots of special cat grass for your indoor cat. The cat grass triggers a gag reflex and helps the cat to vomit up the hairballs. Fibre-rich food with lots of fibre and malt paste can also help the animal to eliminate hairballs via the intestines. If this does not work and you notice that your furry friend is unwell and is suffering from abdominal pain, diarrhoea or vomiting, for example, you should consult a vet immediately.

The dying process of a cat can take several weeks. It appears listless and listless, sooner or later refuses to eat or drink and appears exhausted. Things that it usually likes are met with disinterest. She is no longer keen to be stroked or to play and will generally seek you out less. Cats withdraw strongly when they die. When the time comes, they hide away in an undisturbed corner. Some animals also fall into a coma beforehand. Euthanising the cat can save it a great deal of suffering. Talk to your vet and get a second opinion to make sure that there really are no other options to help your pet.

Cats suffer in silence because they are hunters and must not show any signs of weakness in the wild. So if your cat is suffering, it is most likely to show this by withdrawing. If your cat is usually playful and cuddly, but is now hiding away and wants its peace and quiet, this is a sign that it is not feeling well. In this case, look out for other symptoms such as tiredness, loss of appetite, restricted movement, aggressive behaviour or changes in external appearance such as wounds. Accompanying symptoms such as sneezing, bad breath or diarrhoea can provide more precise information about the cause of the condition. If you notice a change in behaviour, observe your pet closely and consult a vet if the condition does not change or even worsens after a day.

The fact that cats sleep a lot does not automatically mean that they are sick. Healthy adult cats generally need between 15 and 16 hours of sleep a day. They spread this over many short units and only spend a small part of it in real deep sleep. The rest of the time they doze, but remain alert. However, if your cat is unusually tired, very listless and has other symptoms, such as loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea, it may be suffering from an illness. Diseases that are associated with tiredness include diabetes, renal insufficiency or cancer. However, tiredness and exhaustion can be caused by many illnesses, infections or ailments. It is therefore important that you keep a close eye on your velvet paw and see a vet immediately if you notice any symptoms or abnormalities.

Cats sleep a lot as they need to recharge their batteries and rest. When awake, the animals are very active and are always under tension when searching for food or looking out for danger. Even during sleep, cats are only in deep sleep for five to seven minutes at a time. The rest of the time they are ready to react to noises and danger at any time. Older cats and kittens also need more sleep than young, adult cats. In the winter months, in rainy weather or when it is very hot, your pet may also rest and sleep more often. However, if you have the impression that your cat is sleeping more than usual for no apparent reason, appears exhausted or has other accompanying symptoms, you should have the causes clarified by a vet to be on the safe side.

It is quite normal for cats to sleep a lot: adult cats spend an average of 15 to 16 hours a day sleeping, but usually only up to half an hour at a time. Old cats can need up to 18 hours of sleep, while kittens spend as much as 90 % of the day sleeping. As cats are very alert and active animals, they need a lot of sleep to replenish their energy reserves and regenerate.

As a rule, it is not a bad thing if your cat drinks a lot. However, as an increased need for fluids can also be a symptom of various illnesses, you should pay attention to whether the overall condition of the animal changes and how long the increased thirst lasts if the drinking behaviour changes.

A cat should consume 50 to 60 ml of liquid per kilogramme of body weight per day - an average of around 250 to 300 ml. The fluid intake can be partly via the wet food or via special vitality drinks, but fresh water should also always be available.

If your cat drinks a conspicuous amount, you should observe the animal for the time being. Also look out for other symptoms such as tiredness, loss of appetite or ravenous hunger, vomiting, diarrhoea and increased urine output. If your velvet paw feels very thirsty due to extreme heat or high activity levels, but there are no other symptoms, a visit to the vet is not necessary for the time being. Make sure your pet has a shady spot and rest. If there are accompanying symptoms, call your vet and find out when a visit is necessary. In the event of vomiting or diarrhoea, do not wait longer than 12 to 24 hours, as the fluid loss may not be covered by the increased fluid intake. If you suspect poisoning, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Do not feed your cat immediately after vomiting. Wait half a day to avoid overloading the irritated stomach again. Then start with a light diet such as pre-cooked chicken, boiled rice and carrots. Also, only feed small portions. You should not offer fatty food or raw meat, as this can irritate the stomach again. It is also important that you provide your pet with plenty of fluids and possibly electrolytes.

If cats vomit, this is due to a protective mechanism of the immune system. If it feels threatened, for example by viruses, parasites or spoilt food, it tries to get rid of the stomach contents. The fact that your cat vomits at this moment is initially a good thing. The body is protecting itself from danger. Only if the vomiting continues frequently over several hours or occurs in combination with other symptoms does it become problematic for the animal, as it loses a lot of water and nutrients. In this case, a vet must be consulted.

If your cat only vomits once or twice and shows no other abnormal behaviour, it is usually sufficient to go easy on your pet's stomach. This includes not feeding your pet in the hours following the vomiting and then starting a light diet. If the vomiting occurs with increased frequency and other symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhoea, fever, glassy eyes and apathy occur, you should not wait longer than 12 to 24 hours before visiting the vet. The loss of water and nutrients can quickly become life-threatening for the cat. The same applies to vomit with unusual colours such as red, green or yellow. Blood in vomit is always a warning sign of an injury and should be examined by a vet.

If your cat is bleeding, it is first important to find the source of the blood: Is it external or internal bleeding? In the case of an external injury, you should try to stop the bleeding with a clean cloth and treat it as best you can. You should then take your cat to a vet immediately. This also applies to an internal injury: if there is blood in the mouth or faeces or other symptoms that indicate internal bleeding, a vet should be consulted immediately. Large blood loss can lead to anaemia, which can quickly become life-threatening. Try to reassure your cat and minimise stress as much as possible and leave the diagnosis and treatment to the experts at the vet's practice.

Blood in the faeces of cats means that there is an injury in the animal's body. This can be located anywhere in the body, from the mouth to the stomach and other internal organs to the intestines and anus, and can be caused by various illnesses or accidents. If there is blood in the faeces, you should not hesitate but consult a vet immediately. They can examine your cat thoroughly and identify the cause of the blood in the faeces. Regardless of whether the cause is a gastrointestinal infection, inflammation, cancer or an injury caused by a foreign body - a cat with blood in its faeces should be treated as quickly as possible so that it does not lose too much blood and the trigger does not cause any more serious consequences.

High fevers in particular can be very dangerous for cats: A cat has a fever from a temperature of 39.2 degrees Celsius. Fever becomes a real emergency when the body temperature rises above 41 degrees Celsius. Fever is also particularly dangerous for old and sick cats and kittens, as their immune system is already weakened. The main danger of fever is the threat of dehydration: the increased body temperature means that the animals need more fluids. However, they are often so weakened that they refuse to eat or drink. Therefore, make sure that your cat continues to drink enough and, in an emergency, administer liquid directly into its mouth using a syringe or pipette. If the fever is very high, lasts longer than a day or is accompanied by severe symptoms, you should definitely consult a vet. They can help to reduce the fever and treat the cause of the fever.

In addition to the unusually high body temperature, fever in cats also manifests itself in other accompanying symptoms. A temperature of 39.2 degrees Celsius or more is a fever - you can measure the temperature rectally with a digital thermometer or at the vet. Your cat may also be listless, tired, lacking in appetite and unusually thirsty, as well as behaving conspicuously aggressively or withdrawing. Gastrointestinal complaints such as vomiting and diarrhoea, stiff muscles and joints, severe trembling and a dry nose and dry faeces also indicate a fever. If your velvet paw is breathing faster than usual, i.e. more than 40 breaths per minute, and panting, this is also a warning sign of fever. Be alert and take your cat to the vet if the fever does not go away and worrying symptoms are added.

If your cat has diarrhoea, it is important to feed it a gentle diet to avoid further irritating its stomach. You can prepare easily digestible, low-fat food such as boiled chicken, turkey, unseasoned rice or mashed potatoes. You can also buy diet food tailored to cats with digestive problems and special food for cats with food intolerances from specialist retailers.

Diarrhoea in cats can be caused by many different things. Your cat's stomach can react sensitively to the wrong food without there being anything more serious behind it. Stress and major changes in your cat's life can also cause diarrhoea, as can parasite infestation, a food allergy/intolerance, poisoning, an abrupt change of food, an infection or a serious illness. A supply of sufficient drinking water and a light diet are now essential. If the diarrhoea lasts longer and is accompanied by other symptoms, you should definitely take your cat to the vet and have the causes professionally investigated.

If your cat has diarrhoea, observe it closely and try to determine the cause of the diarrhoea. Possible causes are stress, food intolerance, a sudden change of food, poisoning, parasite infestation, an infection or a more serious illness. You should initially keep an outdoor cat indoors so that you can observe it more closely and rule out possible sources of danger outdoors. If the diarrhoea occurs only once and your cat otherwise appears normal, you should not worry too much. Make sure your cat feels comfortable and drinks enough and offer him a light diet. If your cat's diarrhoea lasts longer than 24 hours and the animal shows other symptoms and behavioural abnormalities, you should definitely consult a vet.

If you notice that your cats are drinking too little, you should reconsider how and what you offer them. Animals cover a large part of their fluid requirements through their food. You should therefore favour wet food and add a few tablespoons of water if necessary. Cats also don't like it if the drinking bowl is too close to the food bowl. Therefore, try to clearly separate eating and drinking and place several drinking options around the home. Also try out different drinking containers and choose bowls that are as shallow and odourless as possible. Make sure that there is always plenty of fresh water available and, if necessary, make the water more attractive with a drinking fountain. You can make the liquid itself more palatable by switching from tap water to bottled water, adding ice cubes and adding unsalted broth or tuna water. Drinks specially developed for cats with small pieces of meat also ensure that your velvet paw's desire to drink is stimulated.

The fact that cats drink too little often only manifests itself in noticeable symptoms when the animals are severely dehydrated. As cats need very little fluid due to their evolution, cover a large part of their needs through their food and it is unclear where and how often they drink in the case of outdoor cats, it is even more difficult to detect a lack of fluids. If you suspect that your cat is drinking too little, you should observe it closely and carry out a test if necessary. If you squeeze the skin on your cat's back with your fingers for several seconds, the wrinkle should disappear quickly. However, if the fold of skin remains for a noticeably long time and only smoothes out again slowly, this is a clear sign of dehydration. Ideally, your pet's gums should also be pink and moist - if they feel sticky and dry instead, attention is also required. If your tiger is also tired and listless, has cold paws, sunken eyes and strong-smelling urine, you should definitely visit a vet and try to encourage your cat to drink more.

Fällt Ihrer Katze das Atmen schwer, sollten Sie zunächst vom Tierarzt abklären lassen, was ihr fehlt. Liegt eine schwerwiegende Krankheit zugrunde, ist eine schnelle und angemessene Behandlung essenziell. Befindet sich Ihr Stubentiger in Behandlung oder steckt lediglich eine harmlose Erkältung hinter dem Symptom, können Sie in Absprache mit Ihrem Tierarzt versuchen, Ihrer Katze das Atmen durch Dampf zu erleichtern. Dazu können Sie beispielsweise bei aufgedrehter Dusche längere Zeit im Badezimmer verbringen oder Ihre Katze in einer Transportbox isolieren und eine Inhalationslösung vorsetzen. Auf keinen Fall dürfen Sie Ihrer Katze jedoch Mittel verabreichen, die für Menschen gedacht sind. 

If cats have difficulty breathing and are visibly struggling to catch their breath, this can have a variety of causes. Infectious diseases, diseases of the organs, tumours, allergies or a foreign body blocking the nose could be responsible. If you notice that your cat is breathing heavily, you should consult a vet as soon as possible. They can find out what is wrong with your pet and recommend suitable therapy and treatment.

When cats smack their lips in their sleep, it probably means that they are dreaming: smacking noises can be an expression of a cat's hunting instinct and can also occur when they are awake and watching an attractive snack such as a bird or mouse. If your cat smacks its lips in its sleep and perhaps twitches its paws, it may be hot on the heels of a prey animal in its dream and its mouth is watering. However, if the smacking also occurs when your cat is awake for no apparent reason and your cat's behaviour changes, there may be a more serious explanation behind the smacking. Other symptoms such as tiredness, loss of appetite, gagging, vomiting, diarrhoea or similar in combination with smacking indicate an illness or injury and should be examined by a vet as soon as possible.

When a cat smacks its lips, this can have both a harmless and a serious meaning. If your cat seems healthy, eats normally and only smacks its lips in relaxed situations without any other noticeable changes in behaviour, the smacking is probably just a sign that it is doing well - or that its wet food is making a noise when it eats. However, if the smacking is accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of appetite, tiredness, aggression, gagging, vomiting, diarrhoea or fever, there is probably an illness or injury behind the smacking. This could be a foreign body in the mouth or throat or an inflammation of the throat, gums or teeth. Or there may be a disease behind the smacking noises, such as renal insufficiency or urinary stones. In any case, consult a vet and discuss the treatment of your smacking cat with them.

There are many reasons for a cat's apathetic state: cat diseases such as feline enteritis, cat flu, cardiovascular problems, stroke as well as bacterial and viral infections with fever can be the cause. Poisoning by certain plants, food or cleaning agents and an internal or external injury can also cause your cat to become apathetic. If your cat is already older, it is also possible that it is suffering from old age. Due to loss of sight and hearing, confusion and age-related loss of appetite, older cats also appear apathetic and do not respond as usual when spoken to. If your velvet paw is apathetic, you should always have the cause clarified by a vet - on the one hand to rule out the possibility of a serious illness and on the other hand to be able to treat it as quickly as possible and, in the best case, cure it.

A cat can be apathetic, i.e. listless, tired and barely responsive, in various situations. Cats can be apathetic as a result of illness, injury, poisoning and infection with fever. The cat is then so unwell that it can no longer hide it and lacks the energy to interact, exercise and often eat. Try to find out what is wrong with your apathetic cat, observe possible accompanying symptoms and go to the vet immediately if the condition does not improve or other symptoms develop.

Tips and tricks that are supposed to help against hiccups in humans should never be used on cats. Instead of frightening your velvet paw or stopping it from breathing, make sure it relaxes. Because if the hiccups don't go away as quickly as they came, the most important thing is to avoid stress. In severe cases, a little help with calm breathing can also be useful - for example in the form of a light massage. Provide your cat with a drink of water and don't be afraid to contact the vet if you are worried and your four-legged friend's behavior seems unusual.

Hiccups are a respiratory irritation. Due to the contraction of the diaphragm and the closure of the glottis, the inhaled air cannot escape naturally. It collides with the glottis and causes the hiccup that we can also hear from the outside. The causes can be very varied. Only if the hiccups last longer and occur more frequently should you start looking for the reasons: For example, is your kitten eating too quickly, drinking too little or possibly struggling with a hairball? In some cases, hiccups can also be a symptom of a serious illness such as asthma or heart failure or indicate that your cat is suffering from an allergy or parasite infestation. Always consult a vet if you suspect this.

If cats are in pain, they usually try to hide it for a long time. They withdraw and show little sign of it. You can usually recognize abdominal pain in your cat by the fact that it adopts a bent posture with its back arched and its stomach drawn in. If you pick your cat up, it will not like it if it has stomach pain and will hardly tolerate you touching it. Suffering cats often show their dislike by hissing or scratching, and as abdominal pain is often a symptom of a more serious illness or injury, there are often other signs such as exhaustion, tiredness, refusal to eat, vomiting, diarrhea, growling, moaning or problems with defecation. Observe your cat closely and have it examined by a vet if you suspect abdominal pain or other symptoms.

There are many causes of weight loss in cats. Poor nutrition or food refusal due to an incorrect bowl can be responsible. However, parasites and various diseases can also cause loss of appetite and consequently weight loss. If your cat becomes steadily thinner, you should look out for other symptoms and consult a vet.

Cats have different ideal weights depending on their breed or sex. However, you can also tell whether a cat is too thin by its external appearance. If you look at the animal from above, sunken flanks are a sign of underweight. The same applies to a flat or even inwardly curved belly. Protruding hip bones and ribs also clearly indicate malnutrition. If the cat has thick and long fur, you can also carefully run your fingers along the ribs. You should only be able to feel them slightly. If you can feel them easily, the cat is probably too thin.

Proper nutrition is the most important thing for a malnourished cat. The animal is probably suffering from deficiency symptoms due to being underweight, which is why normal cat food is not sufficient to eliminate these. Special build-up diets with selected ingredients help the cat to regain its normal weight without having to eat large additional quantities. When refeeding, it is also important to ensure that the gastrointestinal tract is spared. It is therefore better to feed your cat several small portions at a lukewarm temperature than a few large portions straight from the fridge. If your cat is still hesitant about the food, you can also make it more interesting with a little tuna.

Feline asthma usually results from an allergy. When the cat comes into contact with the allergen, i.e. the intolerable substance, for the first time, the immune system immediately produces antibodies. These bind to certain immune cells - more precisely to the mast cells and the so-called basophilic granulocytes. Upon renewed contact with the allergen, the allergen and the antibodies reach the mast cells and granulocytes, which in turn release pro-inflammatory substances. So while the immune system actually pulls out all the stops to fight the allergen, it actually triggers an overreaction in the body. The body's own substances that cause the inflammation ultimately ensure that the bronchial tubes constrict considerably. This is caused by mucus deposits and cramps in the muscles and can be felt by the cat in the form of breathing difficulties.

When cats suffer from respiratory distress, for example because their airways are constricted, the first thing you will recognize is the conspicuous mouth breathing. The cat's mouth is then wide open and the tongue hangs out as the animal tries to take in as much oxygen as possible. A whistling sound may accompany the breathing and coughing is also common. Gradually, the mucous membranes, for example around the tongue, may turn blue. Some cats lie flat and stretch their elbows out to the side. In addition, exhaustion and panic spread - the latter can be recognized by the fact that the pupils of the animals are greatly dilated.

Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that usually occurs in the form of acute attacks with shortness of breath. If the shortness of breath remains untreated, an asthma attack can become life-threatening: As the cat's immune system overreacts, anaphylactic shock occurs and, in the worst case, the circulation collapses or the organs can fail. If you notice that your cat is experiencing difficulty breathing or other symptoms such as coughing, exhaustion or discoloration of the mucous membranes, you should therefore consult a vet as soon as possible. Although asthma cannot be cured, suitable therapy can alleviate the symptoms. As asthma is usually an allergic reaction, it is also important to find the trigger and remove it from your cat's environment.

How long an infected cat can live with the disease depends on many different factors. It is therefore not possible to give a clear answer to this question. This is not least due to the fact that FIV belongs to the so-called lentiviruses, which can lie dormant in the body unnoticed for a while before breaking out. If the affected cat's immune system is already weakened or it may be suffering from a previous illness, the course of the disease can end fatally more quickly than in an otherwise perfectly healthy cat. Advanced age can also accelerate the onset and progression of the various stages, as can the external influences that affect the cat and determine whether it comes into increased contact with other bacteria and viruses. Once the final stage of the feline Aids disease has been reached, the four-legged friends usually have no more than a year to live. During this phase, the disease progresses rapidly and can be very stressful for both the animal and its owner. Even if cat Aids cannot be cured, you can at least intervene to alleviate the symptoms after diagnosis. Always discuss this with the vet treating your cat.