Treatments: Overview

This page introduces treatment and medication choices for feline asthma. Use the navigation links above to go to specific topics and refer back often - there's a lot of material here to learn from. There is a also glossary to assist with unfamiliar treatment and medication terms.

Types of treatment are organized according to level of urgency. During an acute or crisis episode, you'll need to seek emergency care. Once your cat is stabilized in the veterinary clinic and it's time to go home, ongoing care is the next step. Included is a section discussing treatment hints for working with the less than enthusiastic cat.

Managing asthma is a life-long commitment that usually requires:

Bronchodilators to allow freer air passage during an asthmatic episode
Anti-inflammatory, usually corticosteriod, drugs to reduce the ever-present inflammation in the tissues which, if not controlled, can lead to symptoms with serious consequences.

Veterinarians have their own emergency treatment preferences when faced with an asthmatic client in respiratory distress. Respiratory specialists are rare because the veterinary schooling is different than the specialties available for human doctors. All veterinarians have training regarding the respiratory system and some specialists such as Internal Medicine Veterinarians have advanced training. Ask your vet if she or he has had experience in treating feline asthma and if not, then perhaps they can make a recommendation or referral. All clinics should be able to help during an emergency and do not hesitate to take your cat to the closest one should you be faced with an acute situation.

 Continue Reading at Emergency Care