Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Inhaled treatment options for cats with inflammatory airway disease
By Barchilon, Michael & Reinero, Carol R·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2023·University of Missouri, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Breathe easy: inhalational therapy for feline inflammatory airway disease.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with breathing problems due to inflammatory airway disease, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis, may need lifelong treatment to manage their symptoms. Inhalational therapy can be an effective option, allowing medication to be delivered directly to the lungs with fewer side effects than oral medications. It's important for pet owners to work with their veterinarian to choose the right inhaler and learn how to help their cat get used to it. With proper use of inhaled medications like albuterol or fluticasone, many cats can experience significant improvement in their breathing and overall quality of life.
People also search for: cat asthma treatment · how to use an inhaler for cats · feline inflammatory airway disease symptoms
Abstract
PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Feline inflammatory airway diseases, including (but not limited to) asthma, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, are common and incurable disorders. These diseases require lifelong therapy and may result in substantial morbidity and, in some cases, mortality. Goals of therapy include reduction or resolution of clinical signs and the underlying pathologic processes driving those clinical signs. Inhalational therapy has the advantage of topical delivery of drugs to target tissues at higher doses with fewer systemic effects than oral medications. There are multiple options for delivery devices, and proper selection and training on the use of these devices - including acclimation of the cat to the device - can maximize therapeutic efficacy. AIM: As inhalational therapy is uncommonly used by many veterinarians and owners, this review article provides a foundation on the selection and use of devices and inhalant medications for specific feline inflammatory airway diseases. Cats present a unique challenge with respect to the use of inhalers, and easy-to-follow steps on acclimating them to the devices are provided. The review also discusses the mechanics of inhalational therapy and helps clarify why certain medications, such as albuterol (salbutamol), fluticasone or budesonide, are chosen for certain diseases. The ultimate aim is that the practitioner should feel more comfortable managing common airway diseases in cats. EVIDENCE BASE: In compiling their review, the authors searched the veterinary literature for articles in English that discuss inhalational therapy in cats, and which focus primarily on inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators. While most literature on inhalational therapy in cats is based on experimental feline asthma models, there are some studies demonstrating successful treatment in cats with naturally occurring inflammatory airway disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37675792/