Malaysia vets report 10% to 15% rise in cat respiratory cases

Malaysia veterinarians reported more pet breathing cases during the haze, with Muhammad Naim Md Kasim estimating a 10% to 15% rise in cat respiratory cases since mid-September, The Straits Times said Oct. 19.

The pressure is showing up across clinics: Nurafiqah Ahmad said suspected haze-linked cases at her Dengkil clinic have doubled, according to the Oct. 19 news report, extending Malaysia’s air-quality stress to pets and strays.

Muhammad Naim, who operates clinics in Kuantan, Pahang, and the Klang Valley, said recent symptoms included irritated eyes, coughs and laboured breathing. “We cannot immediately attribute the increase to the haze, as there could be underlying conditions,” he said.

Veterinarians cited younger and older animals as more vulnerable. A Klang veterinarian identified as Dr Soon said pugs and flat-faced Persian cats face higher risk because their nasal and facial structures can make breathing less efficient.

The advice from veterinarians was practical rather than diagnostic: keep animals indoors where possible, maintain ventilation and consider high-efficiency air filters. Nurafiqah said owners should watch for breathing distress, flu-like symptoms, asthma, conjunctivitis and ulcers.

SPCA Selangor general manager Kelvin Cheah said strays and community animals face a separate problem because they often cannot move indoors during poor air. He encouraged the public to provide clean water and safe shelter where practical, and said SPCA Selangor had adjusted activities to protect animals and volunteers.

The reports add an animal-welfare dimension to a wider regional haze episode. Atlas360 reported Oct. 13 that Malaysia was lobbying the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to treat transboundary haze as a natural disaster.

Atlas360 reported Oct. 15 that Indonesia was testing dry ice cloud seeding to mitigate wildfire haze.

Source: news report, The Straits Times, Oct. 19, 2026