KUALA LUMPUR: "My cat died due to haze.” This was a post shared by a pet owner on the social media platform Threads.
The post drew various reactions from netizens concerned about the health of their pets, raising questions about whether animals such as cats and dogs also face health risks from air pollution.
Kitty’s Care Veterinary Clinic and Surgery owner Dr Muhammad Naim Md Kasim said fine particles in polluted air could enter the respiratory tracts of animals such as cats and dogs, causing irritation and inflammation that could affect lung function.
"Pets have the same respiratory system as humans. They have a nose, trachea and lungs. When the environment is unhealthy due to haze, with dust and impurities in the air, it can affect the lung health of cats and dogs.
"When these impurities enter the body, irritation occurs because foreign particles have entered the system, triggering inflammation,” he told Bernama.
Among the symptoms pet owners should look out for are breathing difficulties and watery eyes. However, these symptoms are not necessarily caused by haze, as other factors must be examined before a diagnosis can be made.
Dr Muhammad Naim said animals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or those of advanced age, faced a higher risk of serious complications from exposure to polluted air.
"My advice is that if we know our pets have heart disease, respiratory problems or other health conditions, try not to take them outdoors. Keep them indoors and ensure that the air quality at home is good,” he said.
Even cats kept indoors are not entirely spared from the risk, particularly if windows are frequently left open, allowing polluted outdoor air to enter the home.
He explained that prolonged exposure to polluted air without treatment could worsen lung inflammation and potentially threaten an animal’s life.
"If left untreated for too long, there is a possibility that the animal could die. It is similar to humans. If we spend a long time outdoors in a hazy environment and continuously breathe polluted air without prompt treatment, the inflammation can worsen and potentially lead to death due to a lack of oxygen,” he said.
Dr Muhammad Naim said animals experiencing breathing difficulties might require oxygen therapy, while anti-inflammatory medication or antibiotics could be prescribed, depending on their condition and veterinary examination findings, including whether a bacterial infection was present. - Bernama
