Cat asthma questions

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

glsummer@neptunelink.com - 29 Oct 2005 21:15 GMT

I am not new dealing with asthma in cats, as I have one who was
diagnosed with it several years ago, and had one we lost in May (he
was almost 16, and most likely died of lymphoma). But our youngest
cat, Arthur, was just diagnosed with it recently and I have a few
questions.

The vet is not our regular vet, but he does low-cost vaccination
clinics and low cost spay/neuter. I had Arthur neutered there last
month, and asked the vet to also do an x-ray because of his fast
respiration. He came back with a diagnosis of asthma, and gave him a
Depo 2 (?) shot. Unfortunately, it did not work.

I asked him where to go from here, and he suggested a couple of
things: putting Arthur on Prednisone, and also on a form of
theophylline (which, as an asthmatic myself, I am very familiar with
theophylline).

My questions: He suggested starting Arthur on 5 mg Pred twice a day,
and then cutting back to once a day. This seems like a very high
dosage to me. Sabra (the one we lost in May) was only one one 5 mg
Pred every third day, and Internet, our other asthmatic cat, is one
1/2 5 mg Prednisolone every other day. Arthur is a year and a half,
and a rather small cat for his age. Does this dose seem extreme to
anyone here? I have some leftover Pred from Sabra that is still good,
so I am currently giving it to Arthur once a day, since I am hesitant
to give him a full 10 mg a day at this point. Is 10 mg a day a very
high dose, and am I okay in giving in only half that a day? He does
seem to be improving quite a bit.

Secondly, I can't remember the name of the theophylline product he
mentioned. It started with "Theo", of course, but I can't recall the
rest of it. Anyone know?

I also have Albuterol and an Opti-Chamber and mask, so if it is bad, I
can give him that as well.

Thanks for any insight/advice/help.

Ginger-lyn

Home Pages:
http://www.spiritrealm.com/summer/
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/glsummer (homepage & cats)
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~summer/index.htm (genealogy)
http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against
Animals in Movies Website)

Reply to this Message

Camilla Baird - 30 Oct 2005 10:04 GMT

> I am not new dealing with asthma in cats, as I have one who was
> diagnosed with it several years ago, and had one we lost in May (he
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
> http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against
> Animals in Movies Website)

Ginger-Lyn,
Sorry to hear that Arthur has asthma. However, if it is treated well, he
can have a very good quality of life with his asthma for many years to come.
About the Prednisolone - cats are often started out on a large dosage
which is then cut back to a minimum. There is no set dosage - dosage is
individual pr cat. The thing is to find the minimum dosage that works
for your cat. However, it is important to get a quick effect, so the cat
is often put on a reletively large dosage to start with.
The product name of theophylline you are looking for is Theodur.
There is a lot of inspiration to be gained and tons to be learned from
this page about a feline asthma http://www.fritzthebrave.com/
Camilla

Reply to this Message

Nicole H - 31 Oct 2005 21:02 GMT

I'd get a second opinion just to be sure.
I'd be interested in why the vet wants you to start Prednisone but the depo
medrol shot didn't work.... maybe the depo medrol shot didn't work cuz
you're dealing with something else?

>I am not new dealing with asthma in cats, as I have one who was
> diagnosed with it several years ago, and had one we lost in May (he
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
> http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against
> Animals in Movies Website)

Reply to this Message

Pet Forum / Miscellaneous / Animal Health / October 2005

Cat asthma questions