Feline Asthma
(Chronic Bronchitis, Bronchial Asthma, Allergic Bronchitis)
Asthma is a recurring respiratory problem that occurs when the
lungs constrict either spontaneously, or in response to stimuli that would
normally not cause a reaction. Airways swell with inflammation and the
airway muscles go into spasms leading to airway constriction. Airway
constriction leads to the inability to take a deep breath, which causes
intolerance to exercise, coughing and wheezing in some cats.
What are the symptoms?
Respiratory signs may be slow and deliberate or quick and
labored breathing. Sometimes cats will begin sitting or laying in a
particular position in order to breathe easier. The coughing
associated with feline asthma is described as a dry, hacking cough
that could be confused with gagging or retching. Cats with asthma
may produce a wheezing sound while breathing. Symptoms vary from
cat to cat.
How is feline asthma diagnosed?
Symptoms of feline asthma can mimic other diseases such as
heartworm, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure. To avoid
misdiagnosing the symptoms, chest x-rays, or blood tests are
necessary. Chest x-rays may reveal visible thickening of the airways or
'air trapping' in which constriction of airways prevents inspired air from
being exhaled. The lungs appear larger than normal because they
are over-inflated. The diaphragm will appear flat because of the
over-inflation.
In some cases, a cat with asthma may have a normal chest x-ray.
In these instances a diagnosis may be reached by taking a look at a
sample of cells taken from the lower airways.
How is it treated?
Feline asthma is a chronic, progressive disease that cannot be fully
cured. It is usually impossible to determine which allergens cause
asthma in individual cats.
Common allergens may include grass and tree pollens, cigarette or
fireplace smoke, candles, various sprays (air fresheners, hair or
deodorant sprays, flea sprays) or dust from cat litter. Eliminating or
reducing the cat's exposure to these allergens may help, but if these
are not enough medication can also be used.
Medication:
Long-term treatment of asthma usually includes short or long- term
use of corticosteroids such as prednisolone. Some cats may need to
be on medication regularly while other cats only need treatment
during flair ups. Some veterinarians use cyproheptadine, an
antihistamine that blocks serotonin and smooth muscle contraction in
the bronchioles. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug that
may be used for feline asthma.
*It is important to reduce allergens that your cat is exposed to daily.*
Regular visits to the veterinarian along with the appropriate
treatment will help insure your cat is comfortable.
For more information on feline asthma:
http://www.felineasthma.org/overview/index.htm
http://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=340
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/asthma.html
Disclaimer: Vista Animal Hospital makes sincere efforts to ensure the
accuracy of information posted on this website. VAH cannot and will
not be held responsible or liable for errors, inaccuracies or improper
use of information by the reader. Readers who rely on the information
contained on this web site or on other web sites accessed from this one
do so at their own risk and are advised to consult with their veterinarian
before acting on it.
*For More Information Please Contact Your Vet!*
(Chronic Bronchitis, Bronchial Asthma, Allergic Bronchitis)
Asthma is a recurring respiratory problem that occurs when the
lungs constrict either spontaneously, or in response to stimuli that would
normally not cause a reaction. Airways swell with inflammation and the
airway muscles go into spasms leading to airway constriction. Airway
constriction leads to the inability to take a deep breath, which causes
intolerance to exercise, coughing and wheezing in some cats.
What are the symptoms?
Respiratory signs may be slow and deliberate or quick and
labored breathing. Sometimes cats will begin sitting or laying in a
particular position in order to breathe easier. The coughing
associated with feline asthma is described as a dry, hacking cough
that could be confused with gagging or retching. Cats with asthma
may produce a wheezing sound while breathing. Symptoms vary from
cat to cat.
How is feline asthma diagnosed?
Symptoms of feline asthma can mimic other diseases such as
heartworm, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure. To avoid
misdiagnosing the symptoms, chest x-rays, or blood tests are
necessary. Chest x-rays may reveal visible thickening of the airways or
'air trapping' in which constriction of airways prevents inspired air from
being exhaled. The lungs appear larger than normal because they
are over-inflated. The diaphragm will appear flat because of the
over-inflation.
In some cases, a cat with asthma may have a normal chest x-ray.
In these instances a diagnosis may be reached by taking a look at a
sample of cells taken from the lower airways.
How is it treated?
Feline asthma is a chronic, progressive disease that cannot be fully
cured. It is usually impossible to determine which allergens cause
asthma in individual cats.
Common allergens may include grass and tree pollens, cigarette or
fireplace smoke, candles, various sprays (air fresheners, hair or
deodorant sprays, flea sprays) or dust from cat litter. Eliminating or
reducing the cat's exposure to these allergens may help, but if these
are not enough medication can also be used.
Medication:
Long-term treatment of asthma usually includes short or long- term
use of corticosteroids such as prednisolone. Some cats may need to
be on medication regularly while other cats only need treatment
during flair ups. Some veterinarians use cyproheptadine, an
antihistamine that blocks serotonin and smooth muscle contraction in
the bronchioles. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug that
may be used for feline asthma.
*It is important to reduce allergens that your cat is exposed to daily.*
Regular visits to the veterinarian along with the appropriate
treatment will help insure your cat is comfortable.
For more information on feline asthma:
http://www.felineasthma.org/overview/index.htm
http://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=340
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/asthma.html
Disclaimer: Vista Animal Hospital makes sincere efforts to ensure the
accuracy of information posted on this website. VAH cannot and will
not be held responsible or liable for errors, inaccuracies or improper
use of information by the reader. Readers who rely on the information
contained on this web site or on other web sites accessed from this one
do so at their own risk and are advised to consult with their veterinarian
before acting on it.
*For More Information Please Contact Your Vet!*
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