Feline's Asthma
I think my babybonn is having an asthma. But never brings her to the vet for diagnosis. Bad me :(
Feline asthma is a respiratory disease that is described as involving hyperreactivity, inflammation, and airflow obstruction of the airways that will spontaneously reverse or respond to treatment. In other words one of the characteristics of feline asthma is that it comes and goes and responds very well to steroid treatment. This article will explore the cause and treatment of this disease that appears to be very similar in both humans and felines.
Who gets it?
Cats between the ages of one and eight years are the most likely to develop asthma. Female cats are twice as likely to get it as male cats. It can occur any time of the year and there doesn't appear to be an increased incidence in any one season. It is estimated that less than one percent of all cats will ever develop feline asthma.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms vary widely in severity and range from an occasional episode of coughing and wheezing to chronic and persistent coughing and wheezing. Cats often stand with their head stretched forward while they cough. Sometimes it may appear that they are coughing something up. In more severe attacks the cat may suffer from acute respiratory distress and open mouth breathing. In cases where the coughing is severe the cat may vomit after coughing spells.
What causes feline asthma?
There appear to be several different factors that may be involved in the development of feline asthma. Studies are currently being done to help further pinpoint the exact cause. It is felt that cats with feline asthma have a chronic inflammation of the tissues that line the bronchial walls in the lungs. The tissues may hyperreact to certain allergens, viruses, or infections, causing inflammation and increased mucous secretion. The increase in inflammation and secretions causes a decrease in the size of the airways and the symptoms worsen as a result. Allergens that have been linked to an increase in symptoms of asthmatic cats include smoke, insect and hair sprays, dust (flea powders, litter, carpet fresheners) feather pillows, perfumes, and Christmas trees. Other studies have shown that ragweed pollen may cause attacks. In addition some cats may have asthma attacks in response to food allergies, particularly fish based foods that may be higher in natural histamines. Bacterial infections, mycoplasma and viruses may also contribute to attacks of feline asthma.
How is feline asthma diagnosed?
Asthma is diagnosed through a combination of presenting symptoms, chest x-rays, and response to treatment. The chest x-rays can show inflammation of the bronchioles in the lungs. Improvement of the symptoms when injectable or oral steroids are used usually confirms the diagnosis if the symptoms and x-rays are indicative of feline asthma. Because there are many other diseases that can cause similar symptoms, a complete diagnostic workup is usually performed. A blood count and chemistry profile are usually performed in addition to a heartworm check. Occasionally a bacterial or mycoplasma culture is also performed.
How is it treated?
The mainstay of feline asthma treatment continues to be corticosteroid treatment. Most animals need to be on an every other day oral dose of steroids for the remainder of their lives. Others may only need treatment occasionally during flair ups. Long acting injectable steroids can be used in animals that are too difficult to pill. Because of the potential long-term side effects of steroids, the minimum effective dose given every other day is the goal with this treatment.
In addition to steroids, some veterinarians are using injectable or oral terbutaline to aid in bronchodilatation. Another drug that is also being used is cyproheptadine (Periactin), an antihistamine that blocks serotonin and smooth muscle contraction in the bronchioles.
There are also several drugs that are experimental and may be used in the future. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug that may have benefits in feline asthma. Another drug is Anti-Interleukin-5 Antibody. This experimental drug blocks the action of eosinophils and reduces clinical signs of feline asthma.
Info source :www.purinaone.com
Who gets it?
Cats between the ages of one and eight years are the most likely to develop asthma. Female cats are twice as likely to get it as male cats. It can occur any time of the year and there doesn't appear to be an increased incidence in any one season. It is estimated that less than one percent of all cats will ever develop feline asthma.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms vary widely in severity and range from an occasional episode of coughing and wheezing to chronic and persistent coughing and wheezing. Cats often stand with their head stretched forward while they cough. Sometimes it may appear that they are coughing something up. In more severe attacks the cat may suffer from acute respiratory distress and open mouth breathing. In cases where the coughing is severe the cat may vomit after coughing spells.
What causes feline asthma?
There appear to be several different factors that may be involved in the development of feline asthma. Studies are currently being done to help further pinpoint the exact cause. It is felt that cats with feline asthma have a chronic inflammation of the tissues that line the bronchial walls in the lungs. The tissues may hyperreact to certain allergens, viruses, or infections, causing inflammation and increased mucous secretion. The increase in inflammation and secretions causes a decrease in the size of the airways and the symptoms worsen as a result. Allergens that have been linked to an increase in symptoms of asthmatic cats include smoke, insect and hair sprays, dust (flea powders, litter, carpet fresheners) feather pillows, perfumes, and Christmas trees. Other studies have shown that ragweed pollen may cause attacks. In addition some cats may have asthma attacks in response to food allergies, particularly fish based foods that may be higher in natural histamines. Bacterial infections, mycoplasma and viruses may also contribute to attacks of feline asthma.
How is feline asthma diagnosed?
Asthma is diagnosed through a combination of presenting symptoms, chest x-rays, and response to treatment. The chest x-rays can show inflammation of the bronchioles in the lungs. Improvement of the symptoms when injectable or oral steroids are used usually confirms the diagnosis if the symptoms and x-rays are indicative of feline asthma. Because there are many other diseases that can cause similar symptoms, a complete diagnostic workup is usually performed. A blood count and chemistry profile are usually performed in addition to a heartworm check. Occasionally a bacterial or mycoplasma culture is also performed.
How is it treated?
The mainstay of feline asthma treatment continues to be corticosteroid treatment. Most animals need to be on an every other day oral dose of steroids for the remainder of their lives. Others may only need treatment occasionally during flair ups. Long acting injectable steroids can be used in animals that are too difficult to pill. Because of the potential long-term side effects of steroids, the minimum effective dose given every other day is the goal with this treatment.
In addition to steroids, some veterinarians are using injectable or oral terbutaline to aid in bronchodilatation. Another drug that is also being used is cyproheptadine (Periactin), an antihistamine that blocks serotonin and smooth muscle contraction in the bronchioles.
There are also several drugs that are experimental and may be used in the future. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug that may have benefits in feline asthma. Another drug is Anti-Interleukin-5 Antibody. This experimental drug blocks the action of eosinophils and reduces clinical signs of feline asthma.
Info source :www.purinaone.com
