Feline
Asthma
Feline
Asthma: This
disease is an immune-mediated disease characterized by symptoms
ranging from infrequent, hairball-like coughing, to sudden onsets
of respiratory distress (which veterinarians call "acute dyspnea").
Episodesare usually triggered by an allergen or stress, and can
be accompanied/followed by vomiting, sneezing, or even wheezing
like a human allergy sufferer. Respiratory signs may be slow and
deliberate (more abdominal breathing), to fast and labored.
Long-term
treatment of asthma usually includes short or long-term use of corticosteroids
(such as prednisone), and bronchodilators (such as terbutaline or
aminophyline). While severe "episodes" of dyspnea can
occur, the long-termprognosis of this disease is generally excellent.
If diagnosed early, any structural changes to the lungs and airway
are usually reversible, and damage can minimized.
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