| Asthma is not only a human disorder, but is also | | | | ways, feline asthma is very similar to human asthma, |
| found in some cats. You should have your cat | | | | although our understanding of the causes of clinical |
| checked by a vet if you suspect this disorder. | | | | feline asthma has been growing in recent years. |
| Leaving feline asthma untreated can result in | | | | Long-term treatment of asthma usually includes short |
| permanent damage to your cats lungs and heart. | | | | or long- term use of corticosteroids (such as |
| Feline asthma is an immune-mediated disease | | | | prednisone), and bronchodilators (such as terbutaline |
| characterized by symptoms ranging from infrequent, | | | | or aminophyline). While severe "episodes" of dyspnea |
| hairball-like coughing, to sudden onsets of respiratory | | | | can occur, the long- term prognosis for this disease is |
| distress (which veterinarians call "acute dyspnea"). | | | | generally excellent. If diagnosed early, any structural |
| Episodes are usually triggered by an allergen or | | | | changes to the lungs and airway are usually |
| stress, and can be accompanied or followed by | | | | reversible, and damage can be minimized. |
| vomiting, sneezing, or even wheezing like a human | | | | Recent investigation into alternative treatments for |
| allergy sufferer. Respiratory signs may be slow and | | | | asthma include injectable steroids (for that patient |
| deliberate (more abdominal breathing), to fast and | | | | that simply can't be pilled), Cyproheptadine (formally |
| labored. | | | | used as an appetite stimulant), Cyclosporin A (limited |
| True asthma, as opposed to bronchitis, normally | | | | to severe cases), and Anti-Interleukin-5 Antibody (still |
| responds quickly to a combination of bronchodilators, | | | | experimental). |
| oxygen therapy, and fast acting steroids. Diagnosis is | | | | Removing allergens from the environment (use of an |
| usually confirmed with an x-ray, and possibly a slide | | | | air purifier, dust free and unscented litter, no odor |
| cytology of the airway. | | | | controlling sprays, etc.) could possibly help to relieve |
| Because asthma can mimic other feline diseases | | | | symptoms. |
| (bronchitis, heart disease, pneumonia), a veterinary | | | | Save up to 50% on all your pet care needs with |
| diagnosis assisted by an x-ray is essential. In many | | | | PetCareRx. |