How is asthmatic feline asthma treated?
Management of the acute and the chronic asthmatic feline patient must be addressed using a multi-modal, anti-inflammatory approach.
How old do cats have to be to have asthma?
As a result, the diameter of the airways may decrease and mucus may accumulate within the passages (Figure 1). All these processes limit the ability of air to move through the airways and cause the cat to experience difficulty breathing. The average age of cats diagnosed with asthma is between 4 and 5 years.
Can you give a cat an inhaler for asthma?
Using an inhaler to treat feline asthma Asthma or chronic bronchitis in cats is often treated with a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs (steroids) and bronchodilator drugs (to make breathing easier). Traditionally these medications have been given by mouth (tablets or liquids), or by injection.
How are methylxanthines administered to cats with asthma?
Methylxanthines, such as theophylline and aminophylline, are most commonly administered as oral medications in the treatment of feline asthma ( TABLE 1 ).
Is cat asthma an emergency?
If you notice signs of asthma in your cat like difficulty breathing, you should visit the emergency vet. If your cat is coughing but still breathing normally, you can book a regular appointment.
How Long Can cats live with asthma?
Although cats can never be truly “cured” of asthma, by carefully monitoring their respiratory effort, keeping an eye out for coughing, and intervening with medication when they need help, owners can help their asthmatic cats live happily for years.
How can I help my cat with feline asthma?
Reduce Airborne TriggersUsing a low dust, fragrance-free cat litter.Not using perfumes or heavily scented products around your cat.Changing your air filters on a regular basis.Not using aerosols, sprays, or harsh chemicals around your cat.Keeping your home clean to avoid dust build-up.Not smoking around your cat.
Does cat asthma need to be treated?
Treatment Approaches Like human asthma, chronic feline asthma is incurable but generally manageable. Treatment, according to Dr. Goldstein, depends on the severity of the condition.
Can feline asthma come on suddenly?
Similar to human asthma, cat asthma refers to the inflammation and constriction of the breathing passages. It can be sudden (acute) or long-term (chronic), and it can be classified as: Mild – sporadic symptoms that don't impede your cat's lifestyle.
What triggers asthma in cats?
Asthma in cats is an immunity-related condition and attacks can often be brought on by an allergy or stress. Suspected triggers include pollen, grass, mould, dust mites, tobacco smoke, cat litter, household cleaning products and even some foods.
What should cats with asthma eat?
It is especially important for your cats to drink plenty of water, even seasoned with milk or boiled chicken juice. Encourage your cats to play and get some physical exercise and to eat primarily moist (canned) cat food.
What does an asthma cough sound like?
What is an asthma cough sound? Most people with asthma have a dry cough, one that does not produce mucous. This happens when the airways constrict in response to an irritant and is a feature of asthma. As well as the cough there is often a high-pitched wheeze sound that is also caused by the constricted airway.
Allergens Most Likely to Trigger Asthma Attacks in Cats
Again, these are many of the same allergens responsible for human asthma attacks: 1. Smoke 2. Mildew or Mold 3. Household Chemicals 4. Dust 5. Poll...
Recognizing An Asthma Attack in Your Cat
Early symptoms may be difficult to detect. You may hear a faint wheezing, which is more audible after vigorous exercise. Your cat may seem to tire...
Medications For Asthmatic Cats
Hopefully, your cat was diagnosed in the early stages of asthma, and not after a panicky trip to the emergency vet clinic in a full-blown asthmatic...
How to diagnose asthma in cats?
Your veterinarian will use several diagnostic tests to diagnose asthma in your cat. The most common diagnostic tools are: 1 Blood Tests: Blood tests will help your veterinarian rule out other diseases and will show if there is inflammation somewhere in your cat's body. 2 Chest X-ray: Also called a thoracic radiograph, this diagnostic will help your veterinarian visualize any abnormalities within the lungs, such as areas of chronic inflammation or unusual fluid accumulation. Sometimes cats with asthma will have bright branching patterns seen in their chest radiographs. This is indicative of an accumulation of inflammatory cells within the airways. Lung over-inflation is also sometimes seen in feline asthma cases. 3 Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): This can be an extremely useful procedure. It is performed by inserting an endotracheal tube into the cat's trachea under general anesthesia. This allows your veterinarian to directly take a sample of the fluids present within your cat's airways. Aside from asthma, the BAL may diagnose other conditions of the lungs. The downside of BAL is that it requires general anesthesia, which is not recommended for a cat with severe respiratory distress or otherwise extremely ill.
How to tell if my cat has asthma?
Early symptoms may be difficult to detect. You may hear faint wheezing, which is more audible after vigorous exercise. Your cat may seem to tire easily. A full-blown asthma attack may at first resemble a cat trying to cough up a hairball or possibly choking on food.
What is the condition that causes a cat to breathe?
Much like human asthma, feline asthma is an allergen-driven respiratory condition that causes distressed breathing. Some cats' immune systems over-react to an inhaled allergen. The resulting immune reaction causes an excess production of substances in the bloodstream that cause intense inflammation within the airways.
Why does my cat cough?
Asthma can cause your cat to cough and then it will appear to be fine but it is a slowly progressing condition with no cure. A coughing cat should be examined by a veterinarian in order to diagnose the issue and ensure appropriate management of the condition.
How to keep cats from pollen?
Consider a room purifier in the room your cat most frequently occupies. A HEPA purifier will also help during the pollen season. Household chemicals: Try to keep their use to a minimum. Use environmentally friendly products for your cats' benefit, your own health, and your home environment.
What is chest xray for cats?
Chest X-ray: Also called a thoracic radiograph, this diagnostic will help your veterinarian visualize any abnormalities within the lungs, such as areas of chronic inflammation or unusual fluid accumulation. Sometimes cats with asthma will have bright branching patterns seen in their chest radiographs.
How to perform a BAL on a cat?
It is performed by inserting an endotracheal tube into the cat's trachea under general anesthesia. This allows your veterinarian to directly take a sample of the fluids present within your cat's airways. Aside from asthma, the BAL may diagnose other conditions of the lungs.
How to treat asthma in cats?
For cats with frequent and persistent symptoms, treatment involves administering corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation, and a bronchodilator that help relax the muscles in the lungs allowing the airways to open. Some bronchodilators also help to reduce inflammation and help clear mucus. For cats that have only occasional symptoms, the inhaler (also known as a puffer) may only be needed when an asthma event occurs. Depending on the severity of the disease, an inhaler can be a lifesaver for cats suffering from asthma.
How long does it take for asthma to go away in cats?
Most cats will need 1-2 weeks of oral medication to control their initial case of asthma so that time can be used to help your cat accept the inhaler. Your veterinarian will demonstrate safe and correct use of the inhaled medications and the aerosol chamber.
What is the inhaler used for?
The inhaled medications used to manage feline asthma and bronchitis - corticosteroids and bronchodilators - are human medications, and they are delivered using a special aerosol chamber designed for cats. The inhaler canister attaches at one end of the chamber, and the cat's mouth and nose are covered by a soft face mask at the other end ...
Why do cats need inhalers?
Why does my cat need an inhaler? Feline asthma and bronchitis cause narrowing and swelling of the airways in the lungs. Most cats with asthma will experience coughing, difficulty breathing, open-mouth panting, and other signs of respiratory distress. If left untreated, death may occur in severe cases.
How to use an asthma mask on a cat?
2. Remove the safety cap from the asthma medication inhaler. 3. Shake the inhaler well for 5 to 10 seconds, and then insert it into the appropriate end of the aerosol chamber. 4. Place your cat on your lap, on a towel, or other soft surface. 5. Gently place the aerosol chamber mask around your cat's nose and mouth.
How long does it take for a cat to get relief from cortisone?
Relief should be apparent within 12-24 hours. If an increase in water consumption or urination occurs, please inform us for future reference. These side effects are common with steroid administration and will go away in a few days without treatment. Long-term use of corticosteroids in cats may lead to serious side effects.
Can cats take corticosteroid?
Long-term oral corticosteroid use in cats often produces harmful side effects including diabetes mellitus. An inhaled steroid appears to be more effective than an oral one for the symptoms of feline asthma and bronchitis, and inhaled steroids are associated with fewer side effects than oral steroids.
How to prevent asthma in cats?
However, the best way to prevent your cat from having an asthma attack is to use the prescribed medication for disease management. Some home care techniques may also prevent asthma symptoms, including: Using low-dust kitty litters. Avoiding aerosol cleaners and deodorizers. Avoiding heavily-scented household cleaners .
What tests can be done to diagnose feline asthma?
Your veterinarian may use a variety of tests, including: Blood tests. Allergy tests. Fecal parasite tests.
Why does my cat have difficulty breathing?
If a cat or kitten is sensitive to certain allergens, the immune system may release chemicals that cause inflammation in the airways. The airways become irritated and tighten and cause difficulty breathing . Allergens can also irritate the lining of cats’ airways, which causes bronchitis and mucus production.
How to stop a cat from smoking?
Stopping smoking around your cat or decreasing the use of candles or a fireplace, since any smoke can be an irritant. If your cat is having an asthma attack, administer any emergency medication prescribed by your veterinarian and seek immediate medical attention. Pagination. 1. 2.
Why does my cat have asthma?
There is some debate about what causes cat asthma, but most experts think it’s caused by an allergic reaction to something the cat breathes in. When a cat inhales allergens , the immune system may react and create inflammation. Inflammatory cells may develop in the airways and produce chemicals that create more inflammation.
Can asthma affect cats?
Diagnosing Cat Asthma. Coughing and wheezing are uncommon in healthy cats. If you think your cat or kitten has asthma, or you are concerned about any symptoms, visit your veterinarian. Keep a record of when you notice the symptoms developing and what type of symptoms affect your cat.
Can asthma cause coughing in cats?
Allergens can also irritate the lining of cats’ airways, which causes bronchitis and mucus production. This can lead to coughing and sometimes to airway obstruction. Some allergens considered to be asthma triggers in cats include: Other conditions may contribute to asthma symptoms in cats, including:
What causes asthma in cats?
Although there is some debate about 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 immun e system. When a susceptible cat first inhales an ...
How do you know if your cat has asthma?
Cats suffering from asthma may show signs of difficulty breathing, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing or hacking, open-mouthed breathing, or vomiting. These signs can vary in intensity, ranging from acute respiratory crises to chronic, low-grade coughing, elevated respiratory rate, or increased respiratory effort.
What happens when a cat inhales an allergen?
When a susceptible cat first inhales an allergen, her system creates specific antibodies to target that antigen. When the cat is exposed to that antigen again, these antibodies recognize the allergen and start a cascade of events that bring many different types of immune cells to the airways.
Can a veterinarian diagnose asthma in cats?
There is no single, specific test that can definitively diagnose feline asthma. Instead, veterinarians rely on information gather ing and testing to arrive at a diagnosis. If a veterinarian suspects your cat may have asthma, he or she will take into account the cat’s health history as well as the results of imaging studies, microscopic evaluation of the cells in the cat’s airway secretions (cytology), and in some cases, blood and allergy testing.
Can cats have asthma?
Although cats can never be truly “cured” of asthma, by carefully monitoring their respiratory effort, keeping an eye out for coughing, and intervening with medication when they need help, owners can help their asthmatic cats live happily for years.
What Is Cat Asthma?
Cat asthma is a recurring respiratory (breathing) condition that is characterized by inflammation (swelling) in the lungs and narrowing of the airways. Asthma is caused by contact with an allergen such as dust or pollen your cat inhaled while breathing. Asthma can be made worse by stress.
Causes of Cat Asthma
Feline asthma is caused by an allergic reaction triggered when the cat inhales a allergen such as dust, cigarette smoke, pollens, dust mites, mildew, cat litter, and household chemicals. Even being exposed to candles, hair spray, and room fresheners can trigger a flare-up in sensitive cats.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Asthma in Cats
If you notice signs of asthma in your cat like difficulty breathing, you should visit the emergency vet. If your cat is coughing but still breathing normally, you can book a regular appointment. Once at the vet, cats with signs of asthma will usually require a basic blood panel, a heartworm profile, and chest radiographs.
Treatment for Asthma in Cats
Because the primary problem involved in asthma is the underlying inflammation, treatment is aimed at reducing this inflammation. It is generally not possible to eliminate the allergens your cat is inhaling. Even if your cat is not showing symptoms, they will need to continue the anti-inflammatory medication.
Recovery and Management of Asthma in Cats
With proper care, the vast majority of cats with asthma will respond to treatment and experience only occasional flare-ups of symptoms. However, even if your cat’s symptoms seem to disappear, it is very important to continue with treatment because the underlying inflammation is still simmering and can cause long-term disease.
Asthma in Cats FAQs
After diagnosis, asthma is usually treated at home using inhaled anti-inflammatory medications daily, with a rescue inhaler to use if there’s a significant flare-up. Some cats will be treated (at least short-term) with oral medications in addition to, or instead of, the inhalers.
How to treat asthma in cats?
Asthma or chronic bronchitis in cats is often treated with a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs (steroids) and bronchodilator drugs (to make breathing easier). Traditionally these medications have been given by mouth (tablets or liquids), or by injection. However, just as inhaled drugs are used to treat most humans with these conditions, so too inhaled drugs can be used to treat cats. Inhaled medications are delivered through a ‘metered dose inhaler’ – in adult humans, we learn to breathe in at the same time that a dose of the drug is delivered, so that the drug reaches the lungs.
How long does a cat need to breathe in MDI?
One to two puffs (according to your vet’s instructions) of the MDI are administered into the chamber and then the face mask is held gently over the cat’s face so it can breathe in the medication for typically 10-15 seconds. This is usually performed twice daily.
How do you know if you have asthma?
In addition, the signs may be either persistent or episodic. Typical signs include: Persistent coughing (often in short bouts)*. Laboured and/or fast breathing.
How old are cats when they get a symtom?
Most affected cats are adults, and typically 6-9 years of age, but signs can start in young cats or elderly cats as well. There is also a marked breed predisposition among Siamese and related breeds, strongly suggesting an inherited component to the disease in at least some cats.
Can cats have lung cancer?
Cats with other diseases such as bacterial infections, pneumonia, foreign bodies, heart disease, airway parasites and lung cancer can present with similar clinical signs to asthma or chronic bronchitis so further investigations are usually needed to confirm a diagnosis. These may include:
Can you use a spacer for cats?
A special spacer device (or chamber) will need to be used for cats. It is possible to adapt some spacers designed for use in babies to be used in cats, but these are not ideal. In particular, some will have valves in them which will make it difficult for the cat to inhale the medication from the chamber, and it will often be difficult to fit an appropriate size face mask for a cat onto a human spacer device.
Can cats breathe hard?
Some cats with severe disease can suffer repeated episodes of breathing difficultly, which in the worse cases can prove fatal. Prompt treatment is important to prevent permanent lung damage, which will be harder to treat. If you are worried about your cat, seek veterinary advice.
How does allergic asthma work?
Asthma happens when your airways get inflamed. Your airways take air into your lungs through your windpipe (or trachea) and bronchioles, which absorb oxygen into your blood through your lungs.
How to get rid of dander on cat?
Change your clothes after hanging out with your cat. Change into fresh clothes free of dander after you spend time with your kitty to reduce possible exposure. Bathe your cat regularly. Regular baths can limit how much dander and asthma-inducing proteins are present on your cat’s skin. Get a hypoallergenic cat.
How to keep cats from sleeping in bed?
Don’t let your cat sleep in your bed. Keep your bed free of dander so that you have at least one allergen-free zone. Use a HEPA air purifier. An indoor air purifier can remove allergens from the air and recirculate clean, allergen-free air back into your home. Replace your carpets.
What test is used to test for allergies?
Intradermal skin test. This test involves your doctor injecting a small amount of an allergen into your arm. If irritation occurs, you’re likely allergic to that substance. Your skin may react to the injection even if you’re not allergic, so this test may not be performed alone to diagnose your allergies. Blood test.
What is the dead skin flakes that come from a cat's sweat glands?
Dander. Dead skin flakes that originate around a cat’s sweat glands can float in the air, stick to dust particles, and get inhaled. Saliva. Proteins like albumin or Felis domesticus 1 (Fel d 1) are transferred to the cat’s skin when it grooms itself with its tongue.
Can cats cause asthma?
Your cat may be one of your best friends. But cats can also be a major source of asthma triggers, such as dead skin (dander), urine, or saliva. Breathing in any of these allergens can trigger allergic reactions that result in asthma symptoms. And your cat doesn’t even need to be around to trigger a reaction. These allergens often float ...
Can asthma flare ups happen without warning?
An asthma flare-up may happen without warning or when exposed to triggers like stress or overexertion from exercise. Allergic asthma, or allergy-induced asthma, happens when your airways get inflamed after exposure to an allergen. About 60 percent of everyone with asthma in the United States has this type.
