Cats are notorious
for causing asthma attacks in humans, but those furry pets themselves can
be the victims of the dangerous breathing condition.
Most cats respond
well to conventional asthma therapy, but a few suffer from side effects
or don't benefit from common treatments.
Several new
therapies are in development that may help cats with asthma. Some of those
therapies are already being used in veterinary practices, said veterinarian
Lisa Moore, an assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State
University.
One therapy
is a human asthma medication called zafirlukast, more commonly known by
its trade name Accolate. It reduces inflammation in the air passages, which
helps prevent asthma attacks. The medicine has been used in cats, though
it's effect on cats hasn't been studied. Moore said she hopes to test its
safety in cats, as well as its effectiveness and proper dosage.
"Some people
say it helps. We'd like to get some scientific information to find out
if that's true," Moore said.
Another new
treatment is a steroid inhalant, much like those used for humans. Inhalants
are puffed into the mouth of the asthmatic, and its chemicals are then
breathed in.
It's not easy
to get a cat to inhale at the right time, so a device is being used that
allows the owner to place a mask over the cat's mouth, allowing the cat
to inhale the medicine.
Traditional
steroids for cats are taken in pill form, but that sometimes results in
side-effects. The steroid inhalant only affects the important part of the
body -- the air passages.
The inhalant
and anti-inflammatory drugs help prevent asthma attacks. Another drug,
called terbutaline, is being used as an injection to quickly give relief
after an asthma attack has begun.
Moore said terbutaline
has been the subject of some studies, but zafirlukast and the inhalant
have not.
"More information
is needed on all these therapies," Moore said.
Asthma is estimated
to affect 1 percent of the more than 12 million cats living in the United
States. The problem is expected to become more common, just as it has in
the human population, because of rising levels of allergens and pollution
in the air. An asthma attack can be fatal to cats, as it can in humans.
Cats with asthma
are often sensitive to cigarette smoke, perfume, aerosols, dusty cat litter
and powdered carpet deodorizers, Moore said. Symptoms include coughing
and fits where breathing appears to be more rapid or the cat breathes through
the mouth. Cats ordinarily breath through the nose.
If pet
owners suspect their cat has asthma, but the cat has not yet begun asthma
treatment, they can participate in a study at K-State. Moore is studying
the airways in asthmatic cats, which she said may lead to a study on zafirlukast.
Owners who bring in cats that they believe have asthma will have part of
the asthma testing performed for free.
--
Information Provided by
Kansas State University
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