Cat Bronchial Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, and Management
Clinical Symptoms
Cat bronchial asthma, also known as cat allergic bronchitis, is a condition characterized by acute or chronic, obstructive bronchospasm due to the high sensitivity of the trachea and bronchial tree to various irritants. It is caused by allergic reactions in the cat's respiratory system triggered by mechanical, chemical, and biological factors, although the exact cause is not yet fully understood. The condition can be categorized into acute and chronic forms. Acute cases often present suddenly, with the affected cat experiencing rapid breathing, openmouth breathing, and an increased or forced expiration. The mucous membranes may turn blue, indicating significant hypoxia, along with symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, sudden restlessness, wheezing, asphyxia, and even shock. Chronic cases are characterized by periodic dry coughs, frequent coughing with wheezing, and episodes of restlessness, rapid breathing, and hypoxia. Palpation of the trachea can easily induce coughing, and the respiratory sounds may become more pronounced. After cough induction, wheezing is usually more pronounced.
Treatment Options
Treatment focuses on relieving cough and wheezing, combating allergies, and preventing secondary infections.
Prescription 1: Aminophylline for cats, 1015 mg/kg, administered orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously, twice to three times a day.
Prescription 2: Oxygen therapy. Animals with difficulty breathing and severe hypoxia should be provided with oxygen.
Prescription 3: Codeine for cats, 530 mg per dose, administered orally or subcutaneously, three times a day.
Prescription 4: Ammonium chloride for cats, 0.21 gram per dose, taken orally, twice to three times a day.
Prescription 5: Dexamethasone for cats, 0.21 mg/kg, administered orally or intramuscularly, three times a day.
Prescription 6: Chlorpheniramine for cats, 24 mg, taken orally, twice a day.
Prescription 7: Diphenhydramine for cats, 24 mg/kg, taken orally, three times a day.
Prescription 8: Methylprednisolone acetate, 1020 mg, administered intramuscularly, every 2 to 8 weeks.
Prescription 9: Prednisolone for antiinflammatory and antiallergic effects, 0.52 mg/kg, administered intramuscularly or orally, twice a day.
