Feline Asthma
Treating Coughing and Wheezing Cats Safely and Affordably
When cats cough or wheeze daily, weekly, or even seasonally, an x-ray could help diagnose asthma. Sometimes mistaken by cat owners for hairballs, a cat having an asthma attack will crouch low to the ground and might lick his lips while his stomach convulses during a dry sounding cough. These attacks might last ten to 30 seconds.
In mild cases, a cat with feline asthma might cough every few months due to weather changes and allergens. In severe cases, the cat will cough multiple times a day and may appear to be breathing heavy. Regardless, a cat with an ongoing cough should see a veterinarian to rule out diseases that cause similar symptoms: heartworm, pneumonia, and heart failure. If feline asthma is suspected, left untreated it will progress and could lead to respiratory distress and death.
Traditional Feline Asthma Treatment & Side Effects
While feline asthma cannot be cured, its symptoms can be effectively managed, giving the cat years of happiness and health. Traditionally, cats with asthma were treated with steroids like prednisone. When administered in pill, liquid, or shot form, the steroid courses through the cat's veins and assists the organs, including the lungs, to function properly. However, if left on such steroids long-term, negative side-effects can occur, including weight gain, suppressed immune system, gastrointestinal problems, behavioral changes, and diabetes.
Alternative Asthma Treatment for Cats
Asthma inhalers, used with a spacer and mask sized to fit a cat's face, deliver an inhaled steroid medicine directly to the lungs. When inhaled, the steroid does not enter the cat's bloodstream, and there are no harmful side-effects.
The AeroKat Feline Aerosol Chamber was made especially for cats with asthma. The developer of the device has also created the AeroDawg for use in dogs with asthma, bronchitis, or collapsed trach. The AeroKat spacer is designed to work with an MDI, or Metered Dose Inhaler, like Flovent and Albuterol. Also known as puffers, these inhalers can be used for daily symptom treatment and as an emergency airway opener respectively.
Many cat owners are initially discouraged, convinced that their cat will not take to receiving inhaled medicine with a mask. But with steady training, most cats will accept the spacer and its mask by learning to associate it with treats and/or cuddle time. Simply introducing the chamber while playing with the cat and giving treats is the first step. From there, the mask can be placed on the cat's face for a minimal amount of time, immediately followed by a treat. Prior to the first dose of MDI, the mask should be placed over the cat's nose and mouth for increasing amounts of time.
Another reason some cat owners are reluctant to try puffers is that inhalers like Flovent can be expensive when purchased from a local pharmacy. However, there are online pharmacies where the same inhaled steroid medication can be found for up to 75% less than local and chain pharmacies. One such pharmacy is 4CornersPharmacy.com, a safe and trusted resource that sells the generic version of Flovent (called Flixotide) with no prescription needed.
Causes of Feline Asthma
Feline asthma can be diagnosed at any age and is largely genetic. For some cats, asthma is caused or worsened by pollutants and allergies. There are triggers that may bring on asthma attacks and interfere with a cat's proper airway function. To help your cat breathe better and avoid coughing, follow these tips:
- Use a dust-free cat litter
- Keep perfumes, sprayed chemicals, and smoke away from your cat
- Clean the air in your home by running an air purifier or air conditioner with an allergen trapping filter that is changed at least twice a year.
- Note that cats may cough more in the summer and may need more medicine during this time as every feline asthma attack should be treated as serious.
Working With Your Veterinarian
It's important to note that while treating cats with inhaled medicines is a widely accepted and successful practice, not all veterinarians are aware of it. Some vets readily prescribe the treatment; some will support your decision to try asthma inhalers if you bring it up first, and some will not support the treatment at all. In doing your research on how to care for your asthmatic cat, you may need to follow your heart rather than the opinion of your veterinarian. There are many online sources of support from experienced owners of asthmatic cats who have been treating them with inhaled medicine for many years.
To learn more about feline asthma and find additional low-cost resources for inhaled asthma medications, visit the Feline Asthma Inhaled Medication Yahoo Group (FAIM).
Related Article:
The AeroKat was designed to treat feline asthma
|
What do you think about this article?
Comments
Latest Articles