Cat Asthma

[Rosepud]

My cat saw a vet and I was told he has asthma and that costco was the cheapest place for inhalers. I was not given a prescription or anything and I'm not sure if a regular inhaler works or there's a specialty one I plan to call his vet and double check but I figured I would ask here, I am aware that he needs the mask with the spacer though.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Hopefully, the vet will give you a little more information to go on when you call and ask for clarification. Does he need just a rescue inhaler or an inhaler for daily treatment - or both?

I don't have any personal experience with this, but I am sure other members who do - when they find time to log on and read through posts - will have some first hand information to offer you. Just be patient and check back often for new responses!!

In the meantime, here are some previous threads from members who have cats that have asthma, in case they have some information you might be interested in. I also included an article about using an inhaler.

Search Results for Query: asthma | TheCatSite

Using a Cat Asthma Inhaler

 

[Rosepud]

He just needs an inhaler for daily maintenance.

 

[Rosepud]

Thank you so much for the other sites though I'll look through them!

 

[LTS3]

You'll need a prescription to buy medicine from Costco or any other pharmacy. Flovent is the most common inhaled medicine vets prescribe for cats. There are three different strengths available and the vet has to specify the strength on the prescription. There may be other inhaled asthma medicines that are used for cats.

There's info on feline asthma here: Feline Asthma with Fritz the Brave - your comprehensive resource since 2001

 

[She's a witch]

I think you do need a prescription for Flovent so contact the vet for sure. But you can buy the aerocat without prescription online probably cheaper than in the pharmacy (it was 90$ In my vet’s office but they told me that in front so I shopped around online).
Aerokat Cat Asthma Aerosol Chamber – Easy to Use Inhaler Spacer – Asthma Relief for Cats – Asthma Spacer Compatible with Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) for Allergies & Cat Wheezing – Fits All Breeds

 

[stephanietx]

I think you need to get a second opinion, especially if your vet didn't give you further instructions or information. Did they try a long-acting steroid shot to see if that would help before going to a nebulizer? I have 2 kitties with asthma and for now, both do okay with the long acting steroid shot.

 

[She's a witch]

I think you need to get a second opinion, especially if your vet didn't give you further instructions or information. Did they try a long-acting steroid shot to see if that would help before going to a nebulizer? I have 2 kitties with asthma and for now, both do okay with the long acting steroid shot.

I actually much prefer inhaler for my cat than steroid injections as I understand there are much fewer side effects. But I do agree than any treatment must be explained and agreed with the vet. Also, I hope any other possible causes of the attacks have been ruled out by OP’s vet.

 

[Count]

My cat doesn't have asthma but had a bad case of lung infection and I had to give him aerosols. In my opinion it is much easier to just buy a decent size box (Ikea ones work well) put the end of the nebulizer in the box and put the cat in the box. It is more comfortable for the cat, and cheaper.

 

[FeralHearts]

My cat saw a vet and I was told he has asthma and that costco was the cheapest place for inhalers. I was not given a prescription or anything and I'm not sure if a regular inhaler works or there's a specialty one I plan to call his vet and double check but I figured I would ask here, I am aware that he needs the mask with the spacer though.

Two of mine have Asthma, one was built that way and the other was a former feral (now indoors) that suffered an accidental poisoning by a neighbor.

I too am a bit concerned that there was no prescription, like others have said - one is required for inhalers. Did the vet say he wanted kitty to have one, or are you being pro-active? Were there x-rays involved?

Your question about a "regular inhaler" leads me with the impression someone in the home might have Asthma and you may have some on hand. If so, I would check with the vet about type and dosage. Some of the inhalers are the same as a human - but not all - Flovent, for example, is the same) - but the dosage is different.

PS - Pretty kitty in your signature - is that the little one with the issue?

I actually much prefer inhaler for my cat than steroid injections as I understand there are much fewer side effects. But I do agree than any treatment must be explained and agreed with the vet. Also, I hope any other possible causes of the attacks have been ruled out by OP’s vet.

I prefer the inhalers as well as there are much fewer side effects - especially long term.

My cat doesn't have asthma but had a bad case of lung infection and I had to give him aerosols. In my opinion it is much easier to just buy a decent size box (Ikea ones work well) put the end of the nebulizer in the box and put the cat in the box. It is more comfortable for the cat, and cheaper.

That is very creative! I'll keep this in my back pocket for the future. Nice!

 

[Rosepud]

His previous vet said he was fine and might have some very mild allergies and then the last vet said asthma but gave no further direction on it although to be fair, he was in for surgery and a urinary blockage they just said he had asthma because they were doing x-rays(which his normal vet also did) and these were done about a month apart.

 

[FeralHearts]

His previous vet said he was fine and might have some very mild allergies and then the last vet said asthma but gave no further direction on it although to be fair, he was in for surgery and a urinary blockage they just said he had asthma because they were doing x-rays(which his normal vet also did) and these were done about a month apart.

FYI I'm not a vet - I simply have some experience on this.

Asthma shows up in X-rays as very distinctive lines on the lungs. In saying that - even with the lines showing up it doesn't tell the extent of it or if it's a temporary issue.

Allergies can also cause those lines to show up too.

With that being said:

-How is he breathing on a regular basis? Does he wheeze - if so how bad? Does he snore?
-When you play with him do you really get his energy going - if so - how is his breathing during that? (Tongue out. labored etc? or just like you and me after a good workout.)
-Did something happen during surgery with his breathing?
- Did the other vet mention what kind of allergies? Food, dust? (my house can sadly be dusty due to the area I live and that doesn't help my kitties)

 

[Rosepud]

He generally breathes fine but has little coghing sneezing fits, he dies sometimes snore s bit though not all the time probably 30%. During one of the previous 3 catheterizations(the first vet made several mistakes before I brought him to the specialist, I was not aware of the mistakes until he was tranferred.) He had been left on his side too long on anesthesia causing one to partially collapse, at first they were worried it was aspiration pneumonia but it cleared up same day and it was determined to be a partially collapsed lung and they took several other x-rays throughout his stay. He's not very active as he's about 10 and after adopting him I found out he had nerve damage to his back legs from being shot with a pellet gun sometime earlier in his life, but I can occasionally get him to do a bit of running and he never seems even out of breath definitely no wheezing or panting after about 3 laps of the house at top speed probably like 200 meters in total. As far as allergies the vet guessed environmental could be dust, pollen a detergent smell anything like that, but said it was nothing to worry about.

 

[FeralHearts]

He generally breathes fine but has little coghing sneezing fits, he dies sometimes snore s bit though not all the time probably 30%. During one of the previous 3 catheterizations(the first vet made several mistakes before I brought him to the specialist, I was not aware of the mistakes until he was tranferred.) He had been left on his side too long on anesthesia causing one to partially collapse, at first they were worried it was aspiration pneumonia but it cleared up same day and it was determined to be a partially collapsed lung and they took several other x-rays throughout his stay. He's not very active as he's about 10 and after adopting him I found out he had nerve damage to his back legs from being shot with a pellet gun sometime earlier in his life, but I can occasionally get him to do a bit of running and he never seems even out of breath definitely no wheezing or panting after about 3 laps of the house at top speed probably like 200 meters in total. As far as allergies the vet guessed environmental could be dust, pollen a detergent smell anything like that, but said it was nothing to worry about.

The sneezing could be from allergies and the snoring might be from the issues with the lungs caused by the previous surgery (remember not a vet here) - to which I say...

Oh, my word! That's quite the mistake they made.

Poor kitty being shot. So glad he found you to take care of him.

I am leaning with the first vet and say allergies but I'm sure the screw up on the table has not helped his lungs. As you've not mentioned it - I assume there is no discharge from the eyes or nose?

You could always ask for a very low dose Flovent to keep on hand when he's having days when he snores to help open the lungs a bit. it does sound like it's mild allergies - which is absolutely fantastic.

Is there anything else happening that makes you think he would need a regular dosage of an inhaler?

 

[Rosepud]

No he doesn't seem to have any problems and no discharge at all.

 

[FeralHearts]

That's good news. Sounds like he's doing okay and he's in good hands!

Wouldn't hurt to do a follow up with the vet and see what, if anything, they recommend.