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Asthma is a complex disease of the lower airways characterized by
coughing and wheezing. Pre-existing inflammation can worsen with
infection or inhalation of particulate matter. Asthmatic cats are
usually middle-aged. The condition is more common in females and in
Siamese cats.
Some cats have sudden attacks of respiratory distress. They may wheeze
or breathe with their mouths open and act very anxious, but may appear
to be normal between episodes. Others have a chronic history of
occasional coughing and wheezing. The most common clinical sign of
asthma is a nonproductive, hacking cough. Cats generally crouch, with
elbows bent and turned away from their body, when they cough.
Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, radiographs and cytology of
bronchial secretions. Other conditions that might produce coughing are
viral, bacterial or fungal pneumonia, heart disease, tumors in the
lungs, heartworm disease and many other less common disorders.
Appropriate testing is essential in making a correct diagnosis and the
formulation of a treatment plan.
Treatment of asthma varies with the stage of the
disease. Treatment involves oxygen supplementation for the acute
attack, a bronchodilator to open airways, and steroids to decrease
airway inflammation. Long-term maintenance varies among cats and
usually involves oral bronchodilators such as terbutaline and
anti-inflammatory medication such as prednisolone. Newer treatments
include the same inhalers used by asthmatic humans and have less
systemic side effects than oral medication. Feline friendly devices
are available at
www.aerokat.com. For cats that experience
frequent and severe attacks, owners may wish to keep injectable
terbutaline at home to stop episodes quickly.
The goals of therapy are to prevent recurrent disease, reduce
emergency room visits, provide optimal long-term therapy with minimal
side effects and to maintain near normal pulmonary function.
In addition to medication, avoiding known respiratory irritants will
help decrease the frequency of attacks and the amount of medication
required to keep your cat breathing easy.
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Eliminate smoke
(fireplaces, cigarettes)
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Remove sprays such as flea control
products, hairspray, housecold cleaners, deodorizers,
spray starch
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Reduce dusts
from cat litter, flea powder, carpet freshener, etc.
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Eliminate unusual scents/fragrances
(scented cat litter, odor
neutralizers, perfumes, air fresheners, Christmas trees)
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