Bronchial Asthma
By: PetPlace Veterinarians

Section: Follow-up

In the case of acute respiratory distress, hospitalization is needed initially, and your cat may be kept in an oxygen cage or in a cool, well-ventilated quiet area.

Optimal treatment for your pet with feline asthma requires a combination of home care and professional veterinary care. The duration of therapy needed is variable, because some cats may have only a single event while others require lifelong therapy or recurrent treatments (not unlike people with asthma). The principles of home care therapy for bronchial asthma in cats include the following:

Administer veterinarian prescribed medication and be certain to alert your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems treating your pet.

Injectable terbutaline – In the case of severe episodes of respiratory distress, some veterinarians advocate the use of this drug at home. This may be an option to discuss with your veterinarian.

Attempt to taper the doses of corticosteroids under your veterinarian's directions. Corticosteroid therapy in cats is often well tolerated, but chronic use can lead to weight gain, obesity and diabetes.

Re-evaluate your cat if there is an inadequate response to the above. Schedule a recheck for one to two weeks after an acute attack.

Periodic chest X-rays every 6 to 12 months can help follow progression of disease. Understand the relentless nature of this condition in some cats.

Restrict calories in obese pets. Obesity worsens lung function.

Try to minimize or eliminate dusts and powders from the environment. Change litter types to sand, newspaper types, or low "dust" varieties. Clean furnace filters and consider air cleaners/purifiers to reduce environmental pollutants.

Try to eliminate smoking in the house (even on a trial basis). Minimize exposure of cats to aerosol sprays such those found in as hairspray or deodorizers.

Use Hepa-type air filters to help filter air.

Keep a calendar of when asthmatic attack or problems occur to help determine any seasonality that can be associated with specific allergens.