Feline asthma

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The feline asthma (felin of lat. Felis "cat") is an allergic respiratory disease of domestic cats . It is comparable to bronchial asthma in humans and is part of the bronchitis complex in cats. Feline asthma is chronic and can only be treated symptomatically; a cure is not yet possible.

Etiology and pathogenesis

A genetic predisposition for feline asthma is suspected. Many substances can be considered as allergens (cigarette smoke, carpet cleaners, perfumed household items such as hairsprays or deodorants, and furnishings treated with chemicals). The allergy-triggering factor can only rarely be determined.

The allergic reaction leads to a contraction of the bronchi ( bronchoconstriction ), hypertrophy of the smooth muscles of the bronchi, increased mucus production and reduced mucus removal by the ciliated epithelium and an eosinophilic inflammation of the airways. The processes mentioned lead to a narrowing of the airways.

Clinical picture

Typical symptoms of feline asthma are coughing and shortness of breath ( dyspnoea , especially when exhaling ). General disorders of any other kind are not observed.

X-rays show increased bronchial or interstitial markings. Occasionally, enlargement or collapse ( atelectasis ) of individual lung lobes can be detected. A bronchoalveolar lavage can be used to perform a cytological examination of the bronchial cells , but eosinophilia is not always detectable.

The differential diagnosis must infectious induced bronchitis (especially by mycoplasma ), lung worms are excluded and heart disease.

therapy

A causal therapy is not possible. Under certain circumstances, allergen avoidance can be achieved by removing new household inventory on a trial basis. Treatment by the veterinarian is symptomatic with anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids , which are either administered systemically in the form of tablets ( e.g. prednisolone ) or depot injections or administered by inhalation (e.g. fluticasone ) via an upstream chamber, possibly in combination with bronchodilating agents such as aminophylline , Propentofylline , theophylline , salbutamol or terbutaline .

swell

  1. ^ A b Nelson, RW & Couto, CG: Small animal internal medicine . Mosby, 3rd edition 2003. ISBN 0-323-01724-X .
  2. ↑ Corcoran, BM, Foster, DJ, Fuentes, VL: Feline asthma syndrome: a retrospective study of the clinical presentation in 29 cats. J. Small Anim. Pract. 36 (11) / 1995, pp. 481-488.

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