Keeping My Dog Healthy

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that can affect cats as well as people. If your cat wheezes, coughs or has difficulty breathing, they may require treatment for asthma. Here are three treatments that can be used to manage asthma in cats.

Removing Asthma Triggers

People with asthma can be triggered by household allergens, and the same is true for cats. Controlling triggers around your home can help keep your cat's asthma under control. Allergens such as pollen, mold, dust mites and tobacco smoke can all be asthma triggers for cats, so try to control them.

Keeping your windows closed on high pollen count days and using HEPA filters can help control pollen levels indoors. Mold and dust mites can be controlled with thorough, regular cleaning. If anyone in your family smokes, have them start smoking outside to keep the smoke away from your asthmatic cat.

Oral Prednisone

Oral prednisone is the most common medication given to cats with asthma. Prednisone is a type of steroid, and it works by reducing the inflammation in your cat's airways. This opens up their airways and allows them to breathe easily.

Your cat may need to take these pills two to three times a day. It can be hard to get your cat to swallow pills, so you may want to hide the pills inside small pieces of cheese or other favorite treats to trick your cat into eating them.

If your cat sees through your cheese ruse, don't worry, because prednisone can also be given in injection form at the vet's office. These shots may be required as often as every few weeks.

Asthma Inhalers

Medications can be delivered through inhalers, devices that propel the medication into your cat's lungs. These medications work by opening up your cat's airways, and they can be used for long-term control of their asthma or for emergency relief from asthma attack symptoms.

Since cats don't cooperate with this treatment, you'll need to use a device called a spacer to get them to inhale their medication. Spacers are long cylinders with a face mask on one end and a space for the inhaler at the other end.

To give your cat their medication, you'll need to put the mask on their face and then press down on the inhaler to release the medication. Your cat will need to take about 10 to 15 breaths, so the mask should stay in place for up to 20 seconds. Afterwards, give your cat a treat to reward them for cooperating with the treatment.

If your cat has asthma, your vet can determine the best treatment for them, so contact a veterinarian clinic or pet hospital, such as Honolulu Pet Clinic LLC The.