The BREATHE Clinic at the University of Missouri is doing a study to help cats who have trouble breathing—like coughing or breathing too fast or hard. Sometimes, problems with swallowing (like food or water going down the wrong way) can actually affect breathing, even if the pet doesn’t show signs of trouble swallowing. This connection is already proven in dogs—about 75 to 81 out of 100 dogs with breathing trouble also have hidden swallowing problems. Once vets know this, they can better address problems and treat them appropriately.
Cats can also have these hidden swallowing issues linked to respiratory disease, called aerodigestive disorders (AeroDs), but they’re not usually caught and can be hard to identify without special tests like swallow studies. The current study wants to find out how many cats with breathing problems actually have AeroDs, even if they seem to swallow normally.
To do this, vets will compare two groups of cats:
- Cats with breathing problems but no digestive problems
- Cats without any breathing or digestive problems
They’ll use a “swallow study” (an x ray movie) to look for hidden swallowing issues that could play a role in respiratory disease. The goal is to help vets spot and treat these problems earlier, so they can give cats better care and help them breathe easier.
Study to Help Cats with Breathing Problems
If your cat has trouble breathing—like coughing or breathing fast—and is stable enough, doctors at the University of Missouri want to run special tests to learn more.
Who Can Join?
Cats with breathing issues may be eligible for the study if they can safely go through these tests:
- Swallowing test (called a VFSS)
- Chest scan (CT)
- Camera check of the airways (bronchoscopy)
- Washing and testing airway fluids (lavage)
Why It Helps
Joining the study might help your cat get the best care:
- Your cat will get a full checkup to find out what kind of breathing disease they have and if there’s a problem with the digestive system too.
- Even if your cat isn’t in the study, you can still request these same tests.
- Knowing what’s wrong means vets can make a stronger treatment plan and have a better idea of how your cat might recover.
Study Bonus
If your cat joins the study, you’ll receive $1,000 to help pay for the tests.
Before You Join
- You’ll need to pay for an initial checkup to see if your cat can join the study.
- That first screening helps decide if the study is a good fit for your cat.
How to Join
Call and schedule an appointment with the BREATHE Clinic, a subspecialty service that focuses on dogs and cats with respiratory and swallowing disorders.
