Hearts melt as cat is filmed using an inhaler to relieve his feline asthma

An asthmatic cat, called Dash, has melted hearts online after a video of him breathing into his inhaler went viral on social media earlier this week.

In the video, shared to TikTok on Wednesday by the cat’s owner, under the username _dashandluna_, the black and white “tuxedo” cat is seen lying on top of her owner, breathing into her inhaler as she hands it to him.

The heartwarming clip comes with a caption that explains, “Dash needs this inhaler twice a day for the rest of his life to help control his feline asthma. He doesn’t like it but he knows he has no choice. moves every time he breathes, and he has to take 10 breaths.” Followed by: “This is part of what we’re doing to control Dash’s asthma.”

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, feline asthma is a disease of the lower airways of the lungs that affects between 1% and 5% of cats.

“Although there is some debate over the definition, most clinicians and researchers agree that feline asthma is caused by an allergic reaction to inhaled allergens, particles that stimulate a cat’s immune system,” says its website.

National Director of Emergency Specialty at AmeriVet Veterinary Partners, Dr. Louis DelGiudice, said Newsweek that, in the simplest terms, feline asthma (lower airway disease) is an inflammatory response that results in thickening of the lower airways, reducing airflow.

He said: “This inflammation can occur due to a hypersensitivity reaction (allergies) or in response to harmful stimuli (eg cigarette smoke, dust, household mold, chemical irritants, dust mites, etc.).

“Treatment is usually a multimodal approach using a potential combination of inhaled steroids and/or bronchodilators such as albuterol, as well as oral medications including steroids, bronchodilators, and other potential immunosuppressants.”

The video quickly went viral on social media, attracting animal lovers from across the platform, and it has so far received over 1.3 million views and 240,600 likes.

One user, Brandy Schnur, commented, “I had no idea feline asthma was so common. Poor little angels.” And Melanie said: ‘What a good boy’, while lauriepurney wrote: ‘As a respiratory therapist for 16 years he is the most cooperative patient I have ever seen!’

Champs said: “You are an amazing parent. Your baby looks so loved.” And Michelle Roesch148 wrote, “My little cat also has asthma, and he loves to pick up his inhaler because he knows it makes him feel better.”

Another user, Nina Vossenkemper, commented, “you are amazing, bless you! most people won’t take the time.” And charismatickay said, “He looks exactly like my tuxedo kitty. What a darling.”

Nikkerdoodle added: “Oh this strand is amazing! I work in rescue and have had cats with asthma before, the room sometimes left me guessing. What a love he is!”

Newsweek has reached out to _dashandluna_ for comment. We were unable to verify the details of the case.