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Client Library Article
FELINE ASTHMA= CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
| Feline Asthma |
| Feline asthma is a common respiratory emergency seen in
cats characterized by a sudden onset of coughing, wheezing, and respiratory
distress in cats. “Attacks” are precipitated by recent exposure
to dust (household, litter box), talcum powder, smoke, or other substances
that trigger the onset of an acute allergic response in sensitized cats.
An attack can happen at any time however, many are seen in the spring and
fall when air conditioning and heating units are turned on for the first
time in the seasfon. An asthmatic
attack requires prompt attention and treatment should not be delayed. |
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Symptoms of an Asthma Attack
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- Acute onset of labored breathing (dyspnea)
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Drooling
- Clawing at the face
- Blue / purple gums (cyanosis)
- Open mouth breathing / panting
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| Diagnosis- on
clinical signs and radiographs |
- Physical examination- the cat will show signs of labored
breathing including forceful prolonged expiration, wheezing,
coughing, and open mouth breathing.
- Lung sounds will be harsh with expiratory wheezes.
- Generalized abdominal distension and a distended gas filled
stomach is often palpated.
- Mucous membranes (gums) can be cyanotic with a blue or purple tinge.
- Radiographs (x-rays) of the chest show an expanded lung field
and a prominent bronchial pattern within the lung fields is seen.
- Radiographs should be taken in all cats suspected of asthma once cats
are stable enough. In severely dyspneic animals, treatment must be initiated on
physical signs only for restraint needed for x-rays may kill the cat.
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| Treatment of acute
asthmatic attack |
- Steroids (prednisone, dexamethasone).
- Bronchodilators- drugs which open up the small airways which are
closed due to spasm.
- Oxygen therapy (incubator or cage pumped with oxygen).
- Sedatives- to relax frantic cats due to their inability to breath
normally.
Long term treatment involves use of steroids- either daily oral
predisone, or long acting injections of prednisolone.
***Acupuncture has also been used successfully to treat feline asthma
patients. |
| Prognosis |
| Guarded to fair depending on duration of attack, individual
response to treatment, and on identifying and removing the source of
bronchitis. It is most important to try to identify the underlying cause
of the attack and remove the source such as switch to a less dusty litter or
use torn paper in the cat box. As long as the inciting cause is present, the
cat will likely suffer from chronic bronchitis and acute asthma attacks.
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