Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
N-acetylcysteine inhaled in asthmatic cats raises airway resistance
By Reinero, Carol R et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2011·Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Endotracheal nebulization of N-acetylcysteine increases airway resistance in cats with experimental asthma.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of six cats with asthma were given a treatment called N-acetylcysteine (NAC) through a breathing tube to see how it affected their breathing. After the treatment, the cats showed increased airway resistance, meaning it was harder for them to breathe, and they experienced various side effects like excessive secretions and coughing. Unfortunately, one cat even died after the procedure. The study suggests that while NAC might help with mucus, it could also cause breathing problems in asthmatic cats, and more research is needed to understand its effects better.
People also search for: cat asthma treatment · N-acetylcysteine side effects in cats · why is my cat coughing after treatment
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a mucolytic and antioxidant, is speculated to cause bronchoconstriction in cats when delivered via aerosol. We hypothesized that in cats with experimental asthma, aerosol delivery of NAC (400mg cumulative dose) via an endotracheal tube would increase airflow limitation as measured by ventilator-acquired mechanics. After endotracheal drug delivery, airway resistance and inspiratory plateau pressure (Pplat) measurements were obtained in six mechanically ventilated asthmatic cats. Results demonstrated significantly increased airway resistance (P=0.0007) compared with aerosolized saline control; Pplats were not significantly different (P=0.059). All cats exhibited at least one adverse effect: excessive airway secretions (n=3), spontaneous cough (n=2), unilateral strabismus (n=1) and post-anesthetic death (n=1). No adverse reactions were noted with saline aerosol; cough was noted in one cat with methacholine challenge. In conclusion, airway resistance and adverse reactions were documented in all cats after NAC aerosol delivery. Further studies must be performed to evaluate if it is an effective mucolytic and/or antioxidant in cats and to determine if bronchodilator pre-treatment will negate NAC-induced bronchoconstriction.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21145769/