What Are Feline Asthma Treatments?

Many of the feline asthma treatments are the same as those used in humans, only in different doses. Asthma can be a very serious condition for a cat. They are not large and asthma can affect a small body very fast. Fortunately, the vet does have a wide array of treatments to choose from.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators come in two types Sympathomimetics are used for fast relief and for sudden attacks, while Xanthines is used to protect the cat long term. Bronchodilators should not be used in a cat who has any heart problems. Bronchodilators need to be used in conjunction with steroids due to two factors. Bronchodilators used alone can actually help in the progression of asthma in cats and lead to lung damage because Bronchodilators do not reduce the inflammation.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are the most used drugs to control asthma in cats. They work by reducing the inflammation and can be administered orally, by injection or by inhalation. They include Prednisolone, Depo-Medrol and Cortisone. Cats can usually tolerate steroids, but there can still be serious side effects including kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and behavioral changes.

Antihistamines/Antiserotonins

Cyproheptadine Periactin is one antihistamine used to treat asthma in cats. Strangely enough, it is not the antihistamine part of the medication that works, but the anti-serotonin portion. Histamine does not play a part in feline asthma, but serotonin does. Cyproheptadine Periactin also simulates the appetite, so you may see the cat eating more than usual.

Leukotriene Receptors

Leukotriene receptors are just starting to be used to treat asthma in cats. Leukotriene receptors can have serious side effects relating to the liver, so the cat needs to be carefully monitored by a vet. More tests will need to be done to determine just how effective the drugs are. Leukotrienes can cause airflow obstruction, increased secretion of mucus, bronchoconstriction and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the airway wall. If the leukotriene receptors can help combat these, they will go a long way as a feline asthma treatment.

Natural Treatments

There are vets who prescribe natural treatments for asthma in cats. The choices include vitamin C, vitamin E, cod liver oil, evening primrose oil, co enzyme Q 10, lysine, vitamin B complex and cranberry. Vitamins can have adverse reactions with prescription medications so do not just give these to the cat without consulting a vet. Also, the dosage is different in cats than it is in people.