Glossary

This page lists terms an medications commonly used in the discussion and treatment of feline asthma. Note that the names of medications can vary from country to country--the names listed here are based on the USA. If you can think of terms we haven't listed here, please contact us.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Abdominal Breathing

the sides of the abdomen move in and out markedly while breathing.

AeroChamber®

the AeroChamber Plus® Valved Holding Chamber made for infants and children. Replaced by the AeroKat® line which is more effective as it is designed and tested for cats. Made by Trudell Medical International.

AeroKat®

the AeroKat® FAC (Feline Aerosol Chamber) is the first chamber designed especially for the unique challenges of aerosol delivery to asthmatic cats. This system aids the formation of an aerosol cloud and helps to separate the large particles from the small (breathable) particles. Sometimes referred to as a spacer. The metered dose inhaler fits into one end of the chamber and the mask is at the other where the cat breathes through. Made by Trudell Medical International.

ADT

alternate day therapy, medicine given every other day.

Albuterol

(al-BYOO-ter-ole) a fast-acting, affordable bronchodilator. Administered via inhaler. Few side effects. Also called alti-salbutamol in Canada.

Aminophylline

(am-in-OFF-i-lin) a bronchodilator related to Theophylline, available in tablet and injection.

Asthma

lower airway disease. A chronic respiratory disease, often arising from allergies, that is characterized by sudden recurring attacks of labored breathing, chest constriction, and coughing.

Asymptomatic

not showing symptoms.

Auscultation

listening, usually with a stethoscope, for sounds made by internal body organs.

B

BAL

bronchial alveolar lavage. Washing out of the lungs with saline or mucolytic agents for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Baytril

a broad spectrum oral antibiotic sometimes prescribed to rule out respiratory bacterial infections.

Beclomethasone

(be-kloe-METH-a-sone) inhalation corticosteroid.

BID

twice a day.

Brethine®

(BREATH-een) see Terbutaline sulfate. A registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Bronchi

(BRON-kai) plural of bronchus.

Bronchiole

(BRON-key-ole) a minute thin-walled branch of a bronchus.

Bronchus

(BRON-kus) either of the two primary divisions of the trachea ("windpipe") that lead respectively into the right and the left lung.

Bronchodilator

(BRON-koe-DIE-later) a family of drugs that cause the muscles lining the airways of the lungs to open/widen the airways. Used for rescuing a cat in respiratory distress, and in some cases for ongoing symptomatic relief.

Budesonide

(byoo-DES-oh-nide) a weak corticosteroid, available in solution form, for nebulization. No studies or long term clinic experience to support its efficacy or safety for cats.

Butorphanol

(byoo-TOR-fa-nole) is a narcotic analgesic (pain medicine) that is sprayed into the nose. In addition to pain control and sedation, butorphanol will alleviate coughing. In US called Stadol NS.

C

Cardiomyopathy

primary disease of the heart muscle.

Compounding pharmacies

specialized pharmacies which can compound medication to meet the unique needs of a cat. Compounds can be made in flavoured suspensions, capsule forms, topical creams and ointments, nose drops or in an inhaler.

Corticosteroid

(kor-ti-koe-STER-oid) are cortisone-like medicines. They are used to help prevent the symptoms of asthma. Also called steroid; a family of drugs used to reduce inflammation. For systemic side effects linked to oral corticosteriods, see MEDLINE.

Cortisone

(KOR-ti-sone) a corticosteroid drug. See above.

Cyanosis

bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes caused by lack of oxygen in the blood.

Cyproheptadine

(sip-row-HEP-tah-dine) antihistamine and antiserotonin. Blocks the effect of naturally occurring chemical histamines in the body. For allergy symptoms. Brandname: Periactin® by Merck & Co.

D

D

daily.

DD

divided doses.

Depo

see Depo-Medrol.

Depo-Medrol®

a corticosteroid, often formulated to have a long-lasting effect. Often given as an injection, but also available orally. Methylprednisolone (generic).

Dex

see Dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone

(dex-a-METH-a-sone) a corticosteroid, often administered by injection.

Dextromethorphan

(dex-troe-meth-OR-fan) used to suppress coughing in cases of tracheal or bronchial irritation. It is a temporary measure to alleviate coughing and is less effective than morphine-related drugs.

Donuts

radiographic (xray) results that show bronchial wall thickening, often called "donuts" or "tramlines".

Dx

diagnosis.

Dyspnea

(DISP-nya) breathlessness or shortness of breath; difficult or labored breathing.

E

Eosinophil

(ee-oh-SIN-oh-fill) a cell type that can be prsent in high quanities with asthma, but also in other illness: heartworm and lungworm but is also present in normal felines.

EOD

every other day.

Epinephrine

(ep-i-NEF-rin) used to treat severe allergic reactions because it can prevent or minimize the effects of histamine. It is also used in emergency situations to help in severe asthmatic attacks to dilate the bronchial tubes.

F

Fluticasone

(floo-TIK-a-sone) an inhaled corticosteroid. No side effects seen in cats. The inhaled steroid is not absorbed in the bloodstream. Equally potent to oral prednisone 1 mg/kg bid. Brand name: Flovent®.

Flonase®

a formulation of Fluticasone (see above) in a water base used for relief of nasal allergy symptoms. Not routinely used in cats. Trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.

Flovent®

a formulation of Fluticasone (see above) in a metered dose inhaler (see below) designed for inhalation and optimum dispersal deep in the lungs. The US and Canadian dosages of Flovent® 220 and 250mcg. are the same. In Canada they use the drug which comes out of the tip of the canister as the dosage 250mcg. In the USA they use the drug that leaves the boot 220mcg. as 30mcg. stays on the inside of the mouthpiece of the boot. Trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.

Furosemide

(fur-OH-se-mide) used to reduce fluid accumulation and prevent further pulmonary edema from forming.

G

Gallop rhythm

presence of 3 or 4 heart sounds on cardiac auscultation.

H

Hyperreactive airway disorder

asthma

I

Inflammation

the body's response to injury or infection, including swelling and redness, elevated temperature, irritation, and increased mucus production.

IM

intramuscular; injected into the muscle.

IM

short for Inhaled Medications.

IV

intravenous; into or inside of blood vessels.

J

K

kg

short for kilogram, 1,000 grams, equal to about 2.2 pounds.

L

M

mcg

microgram. also written as µg. One 1,000,000th of a gram.

Med(s)

slang abbreviation for medication(s).

Metered Dose Inhaler

a drug storage canister able to accurately release a measured dose of a drug along with inert compounds used as propellants, lubricants, and dispersal agents.

mg

short for milligram. One 1,000th of a gram.

Modality

term for a form of treatment.

N  

Nebulizer

A compressor device which suspends drug compounds in an aerosol mist so that they can be subsequently inhaled.

O

OptiChamber®

An aerosol delivery chamber/spacer with mask made by Respironics Inc. Although designed for human use, this chamber has been used with some modification for feline patients.

P

Pred

slang for Prednisone.

Prednisone

(PRED-ni-sone) a corticosteroid, breaks down in the body into Prednisolone. A powerful anti-inflammatory, used to treat allergies, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Most commonly prescribed in 5mg tablets.

Prednisolone

(pred-NISS-oh-lone) a corticosteroid, the activated form of Prednisone.

PRN

pro re nata (Latin) - as necessary or as needed.

Prophylaxis

(pro-fill-AXE-iss) the prevention of disease or control of its possible spread.

Pulmonary edema

fluid retention in the lungs.

Q

QD

once daily.

QID

four times a day.

R

Radiograph

a developed x-ray film.

Rhinitis

inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.

Rx

prescription.

S

Salbutamol

see Albuterol.

Salmeterol

a long-acting bronchodilator that takes 15-30 min. to reach effect and will last for 12 hours. It is available in Canada, but not the USA, in a metered dose inhaler. This is not to be used in an acute attack but may be used in conjunction with daily corticosteroid.

SID

once daily.

SQ

subcutaneously; under the skin.

Steroid

see corticosteroid.

Subcutaneous

(sub-coo-TANE-ee-us) under the skin.

Surfactant

(sur-FAK-tent) a substance composed of lipoprotein that is secreted by the alveolar cells of the lung and serves to maintain the stability of pulmonary tissue by reducing the surface tension of fluids that coat the lung. The surfactant of fluticasone (Flovent®) is oleic acid (a fatty acid). The addition of this ingredient is necessary to keep the respirable drug particles separated and prevent them from attaching to each other. It is the film of powder that forms inside an aerosol chamber/mask.

Systemic

affecting the entire body, rather than a single organ or body part.

T

Terbutaline Sulfate

(ter-BYOO-ta-leen) bronchodialator. Used to treat the symptoms of asthma and other lung diseases. Relieves cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes. Oral, injection and inhaled. Brand name: Brethine.

Theophylline

(thee-OFF-i-lin) a bronchodilator drug.

Theo-dur

a bronchodilator. See Theophylline.

TID

three times daily.

Tidal Volume

lung capacity.

Tracheal Wash

(TRAY-key-ell) diagnostic technique in which the secretions of the trachea are sampled and examined for cells, bacteria, etc.

Tramlines

see Donuts.

Transdermal gel

medication which is compounded into a gel and applied topically on the cat's ear. An effective alternative to oral medication.

Triamcinolone

(try-am-SIN-oh-lone) a corticosteroid, often administered via injection. Also in aerosol (U.S. and Canada).

U

µg

also known as microgram, mcg. One 1,000,000th of a gram.

Ultrasound

an ultrasound creates images that allow various organs in the body to be examined. The ultrasound machine sends out high-frequency sound waves, which reflect off body structures to create a picture. Ultrasound does not omit ionizing radiation.

V

W

X

Y

Z