Cat Respiratory Condition Treatments
Inhaled forms of steroid are preferred for long-term management
Inhaled vs Systemic Steroids
Inhaled forms of steroid are preferred for long-term management
| Inhaled Steroids | Systemic Steroids | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Method | Delivered exactly where needed: your cat's lungs | Enter the bloodstream and are sent all around the body |
| Concentration Required | 25x lower concentrations of steroid needed | Higher doses needed to ensure some of it makes it to the lungs |
| Safety | Safer | Side effects can cause health and behavioral changes |
| Usage Duration | Can be used for long-term disease control | Only recommended for short-term use after a severe asthma attack |
| Ease of Administration | Easier to administer - bonding moments can make it a positive experience | Difficult to administer - hard to bond with pills or needles |
| Impact on Pet's Quality of Life | Helps keep pets able and willing to play with their families | Side effects can halt play and change the personality of your cat |
Systemic Steroids
Side Effects of Systemic Steroids
The goal of oral steroid treatment is to find the lowest dose possible and use it for the shortest period of time.
Common Side Effects
These side effects may reduce your cat's quality of life and the family relationship.
- Lethargy/fatigue (no energy to play)
- Change in behavior (such as aggression)
- Suppressed immune system function
- Increased risk of bacterial, fungal, and urinary infections
- Diabetes
- Weight gain / obesity
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Loss of bladder control
- Poor wound healing
- Cushing's disease
- Hair loss and skin or coat changes
- Increased blood pressure
- Stomach ulcers
Impact on Quality of Life
Cats who are lethargic or have a change in behaviour may be unable or unwilling to play and may no longer seem like the pet you once knew.
Treatment Path
Treatment Path and Dosing Guidelines for Feline Asthma and Canine Bronchitis
Ensure patient can breathe
- Immediately dilate airways to provide respiratory relief
- Provide injectable steroid and either inhaled or injectable bronchodilator
- Administer injectable medications in clinic
- Inhaled bronchodilator (i.e. albuterol / salbutamol) may be administered in clinic or at home by owner. Owners unable to regain control at home should bring their pet to the clinic for veterinary care
Medication
Dosing Guideline
| Medication | ≤ 20 kg (44.1 lb) | > 20 kg (44.1 lb) |
|---|---|---|
| Dexamethasone | 0.1-0.5 mg/kg IM or IV | 0.1-0.5 mg/kg IM or IV |
| Terbutaline | 0.01 mg/kg IM or SC in clinic | 0.01 mg/kg IM or SC in clinic |
| Albuterol/Salbutamol | 1-2 puffs every 30 minutes for ≤ 4-5 hours | 1-2 puffs every 30 minutes for ≤ 4-5 hours |
Notes
Owners unable to regain control at home should bring their pet to the clinic for veterinary care
Ensure patient can breathe
- Provide 10-day, short-term course of systemic steroids
Medication
Dosing Guideline
| Medication | Cats | Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Prednisolone | 1-2 mg/kg (every 24 hours) | - |
| Prednisone | - | 0.5-1 mg/kg every 24 hours |
Notes
- Review environmental factors and make modifications to reduce potential triggers
- Ensure pet owners understand corticosteroids are considered a mainstay of treatment and may be administered orally or via injection or inhalation; inhaled forms help limit systemic absorption (see Adverse Effects of Systemic Steroids)
- Owners already providing inhaled steroids to their pet and who treated exacerbation with albuterol can continue with inhaled steroid therapy; those currently using other forms may consider transitioning to inhaled corticosteroids
Ensure patient can breathe
- Taper systemic steroids and introduce inhaled steroids
- Overlap systemic and inhaled therapy for 2 weeks
Medication
Dosing Guideline
| Medication | ≤ 20 kg (44.1 lb) | > 20 kg (44.1 lb) |
|---|---|---|
| Fluticasone | 1 puff (110 μg) every 12 hours | 1 puff (220 μg) every 12 hours |
| Fluticasone + salmeterol | 1 puff (115 μg/21 μg) every 12 hours | 1 puff (230 μg/21 μg) every 12 hours |
*Cats with more serious disease may require 220 μg every 12 hours
Notes
Inhaled steroids may require 2 weeks to take effect
Ensure patient can breathe
- Use maintenance therapy to control inflammation and prevent exacerbation
- Continue daily therapy for management of clinical signs
- Cat owners can administer inhaled bronchodilators during flare-ups secondary to exposure to triggers
Medication
Dosing Guideline
| Medication | ≤ 20 kg (44.1 lb) | > 20 kg (44.1 lb) |
|---|---|---|
| Fluticasone | 1 puff (110 μg) every 12 hours | 1 puff (220 μg) every 12 hours |
| Fluticasone + salmeterol | 1 puff (115 μg/21 μg) every 12 hours | 1 puff (230 μg/21 μg) every 12 hours |
| Albuterol or salbutamol (SABA) | 1 to 2 puffs as needed (cats) | - |
*Cats with more serious disease may require 220 μg every 12 hours
Notes
- Albuterol is a rescue medication and should not be used as monotherapy
- Dogs have not been shown to experience bronchoconstriction
- Little evidence exists for effectiveness of albuterol therapy to manage canine bronchitis
Types of Inhaled Medication
Treatment for emergencies or long-term management.
Asthma in animals is treated with corticosteroids and bronchodilators, similar to human treatments but with different doses and administration for cats, dogs, and horses.
Bronchodilators are medications used to expand the airways. Short acting bronchodilators are commonly referred to as rescue medications because they act quickly and may be administered during an asthma attack.
- Opens airways by relaxing smooth muscles to reduce bronchoconstriction
- May be used symptomatically to help with coughing flare-ups
- Effects usually only last 4-6 hours
- Does not treat underlying inflammation; inhaled corticosteroids are the mainstay for long-term management and control
Drug Names
- Albuterol
- Salbutamol
- Ventolin
- ProAir
- Proventil
Bronchodilators are medications used to expand the airways. Short acting bronchodilators are commonly referred to as rescue medications because they act quickly and may be administered during an asthma attack.
- Opens airways by relaxing smooth muscles to reduce bronchoconstriction
- May be used symptomatically to help with coughing flare-ups
- Effects usually only last 4-6 hours
- Does not treat underlying inflammation; inhaled corticosteroids are the mainstay for long-term management and control
Drug Names
- Albuterol
- Salbutamol
- Ventolin
- ProAir
- Proventil
Bronchodilators are medications used to expand the airways. Short acting bronchodilators are commonly referred to as rescue medications because they act quickly and may be administered during an asthma attack.
- Opens airways by relaxing smooth muscles to reduce bronchoconstriction
- May be used symptomatically to help with coughing flare-ups
- Effects usually only last 4-6 hours
- Does not treat underlying inflammation; inhaled corticosteroids are the mainstay for long-term management and control
Drug Names
- Albuterol
- Salbutamol
- Ventolin
- ProAir
- Proventil
Prepare for the vet
What To Expect At The Vet's Office
Before visiting your vet, take note of any other signs or symptoms your cat has shown in addition to the cough.
Preparing for Your Vet Visit
If possible, try to take a video of your cat coughing at home to show the vet. Your vet will want to know as much as possible in order to properly diagnose and treat your pet.
Although relatively common, coughing in cats can be a sign of a more serious issue that can be life-threatening in some cases. If you are unsure if your cat's cough warrants a visit to the vet, always err on the side of caution and take them regardless.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask
- How long have the symptoms been present?
- Is the cough wet or dry?
- Have you noticed any other symptoms besides the cough?
- Does your cat go outside?
- Is your cat receiving preventative treatment for parasitic worms?
- Is your cat more lethargic than usual?