Re: Fwd: [CRF] OT: Help for severe asthma -Emergency no luck on an asthma site....

[Susan Loesch]

I haven't had experience with a cat with severe asthma, but I do have a couple with mild asthma - I give  1/2cc albuterol  syrup 2 times a day when they flare up.  I know I have seen on some web site a kind of "thing" you can place over a cat's face and use some type inhaler.  Guess the vet has tried daily pred?  What I am pasting in here is one sample of the adapted inhaler.  I've also seen where a toilet paper cardboard thing can be used.  Perhaps a cardboard tube and a pediatric strength inhaler would be worth a try??  Tell her good luck - and not to give up yet.

 

Search This Site		Parkvets: Cats Get Asthma Too by Graham Peck Damien's Story Increasing problems breathing had resulted in Damien, a two-year-old domestic-short-hair cat being taken to the Longfield clinic by his owners Ian and Corinne Morris in January 2001. Vet, Lisa Geddes investigated Damien's problem with blood tests, x-rays and by taking samples from inside the airways of his lungs. A diagnosis of feline asthma was made and he was started on steroid tablet treatment, which rapidly improved the problem. In April 2001 while on a training course Lisa learned of a new treatment regime involving the use of an inhaler which could be used for this condition and importantly could help reduce the likelihood of side effects from the steroid treatment. The new treatment consists of a mask with an inhaler attached to it by a spacer chamber. The owner covers Damien's face with the mask, and presses the button on the inhaler to release the steroid spray into the spacer chamber. The owner then continues to hold the mask on Damien's face for several seconds to ensure he inhales the steroid spray. "Damien's breathing problem has continued to respond well though he doesn't like having the mask put on", reports Lisa. "It's important to get Damien relaxed first as it must be quite scary to have your face put into a mask". This improved form of therapy can minimise the consequences of long-term steroid treatment, as the higher concentrations of steroid are limited to the lungs rather than the body as a whole. But it comes at a price a months treatment costs in the region of �90.00. What is Feline Asthma? Asthma is a serious long-term disease of cats' lower airways. The signs commonly associated with condition range from laboured breathing to a chronic cough. Occasional paroxysms of severe coughing are seen with the cat holding its neck extended. The signs can be seasonal in some but not all cats, and are exacerbated by smoke, sprays, dusts and scents. The suggested cause of this condition is thought to be an allergy, but often it proves impossible to identify the specific agent or agents to allow hyposensitisation to be undertaken. Diagnosis of Feline Asthma Signs can be variable from a subtle change in breathing through to a life-threatening marked abdominal heaving with accompanying cyanosis as the affected cat battles to inhale enough air. Where the cat has had a severe problem over an extended period of time weight loss and generalised debilitation may be seen. Radiography of the chest will show signs of airway thickening and sometimes over-inflation of the lungs. Samples taken from the airways will reveal a build up of mucus and inflammatory cells in particular eosinophils. Treatment of Feline Asthma In the severe acute form of this disease aggressive treatment with oxygen, bronchodilators (to open the airways) and steroids are required to reverse the life-threatening airway narrowing and inflammation. In humans (and suspected in cats) the key aspect of this problem is that the patients airways are inflamed whether or not they are showing signs. Therefore the cornerstone of long-term management of this condition is the use of steroids to limit progression of the disease and prevent acute crisis episodes. Traditionally treatment has relied on the use of systemic steroid given in tablet or injectable formulations. Unfortunately in a number of cats prolonged use of steroids will have side effects of which the development of diabetes mellitus is one of the most significant. In humans similar concerns about side effects resulted in the development of system to deliver inhaled steroid to the airways. The steroid drug used, reaches high concentrations in the airways where it is needs but is not absorbed in to the bloodstream reducing the likelihood of side effects. A system has been developed using a paediatric inhaler adapted for cats. The owner releases two puffs of the steroid fluticasone into a reservoir attached to the facemask (not shown in this picture but see the top of the page). The cat is then allowed to breathe through the mask for 7-10 seconds. This is done twice a day. Where regular treatment with the inhaler can be achieved the amount of systemic steroid can be significantly reduced or even stopped. Potential Problems with Inhaled Therapy The drug takes about 7-10 days to reach full effect. The mask needs to be properly placed to completely cover the cat's mouth to ensure the medication is inhaled. This form of treatment is very expensive compared to the use of systemic steroids. The drug canister can empty without the owner being aware. The cat may take some time to get used to this form of treatment. Conclusion The paediatric inhaler allows a more targeted treatment and sophisticated management of this potentially life-threatening condition. Cost and compliance problems with using this system may limit is usefulness but it can significantly reduce the likelihood of side effects from long term steroid usage especially at higher doses. Damien continues to do well though recently less enamoured with the daily masking it has been necessary to put him back on a low dose of systemic steroid. Lisa now has plans to teach him and his owner's relaxation techniques to use prior to treatment. We'll keep you informed. External Links: Philip Padrid - Inhaled Drugs for Feline Asthma Nancy & Bob Johnson - How we give Inhaler Medicines to a Cat News Shopper article " Two Puffs A Day Keeps Feline's Asthma At Bay"

BONNIE J KALMBACH <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

This message is from the Chronic Renal Failure list, which I am also
on. Would anyone have any ideas for this person? I asked her if I
could forward her message to this list as there are so many
knowledgeable people on it.

Thanks for any ideas,
Bonnie in WI
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 17:24:31 -0800 (PST)
From: Christine Zadrozny <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [CRF] OT: Help for severe asthma -Emergency no luck on an asthma
site....
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]


I sent a message for my sister on a yahoo site for asthma -hoping I would get some advice like here-but I was just trying to get some help in a bad situation and no luck. I got one response from someone and it was more or less advising me that they are not a vet -which I knew already but I guess they were just trying to get me familiar with their site.
Pepe is my sister's cat and suddenly developed asthma but he just started meds, unlike Lucille who was on them forever. He had a bad attack and did not respond to anything and is currently at the vet w my sister and they vet says pts... and i am so sad.
Incase they kept him on oxygen overnight-has anyone had this happen and any luck?
They took an xray 2 weeks ago and could not tell what was wrong(??) this is confusing to me bc it is the same vet that diagnosed Lucille and so you would think they would know. The vet is young and I actually thought he was like the guy that swept the floor... so I am not sure how familiar he is with this type of case. I suggested all I could and so I am hoping maybe by some miracle Pepe can last and someone will have an idea that works for tomorrow...

Christine and Lucille Casanova and Autumn for Tara and Pepe


---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



All messages sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] are Copyright 2005 by the original author. Do not forward or excerpt to another group or nonmember without the author's permission.

Any suggestions regarding medical matters are the opinion of the author. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to verify all treatment descriptions and advice received with a qualified veterinarian.
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline-CRF-Support/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/