Asthma Inhaler

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Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)

Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)

Member Since 2019
Hi Everyone,

The cardiologist is starting Minnie on an asthma inhaler and she mentioned is quite pricey. I’m wondering where other folks that have diabetic cats with asthma get their inhaler from. She mentioned it can be ordered from Canada like the insulin too...?

PS - and yes, for those keeping track she’s a diabetic cat with IBD, cardiomyopathy and now asthma :nailbiting:

Thanks!
 
I’ve used and been happy with Northwest Pharmacy. Many on the Feline Asthma forum utilize In House Pharmacy. I cannot vouch for them, but I just placed an order with them last week. Northwest requires a prescription (which my vet always faxed for me) but In House doesn’t require one if you state it is for a feline. I’m happy to help if you have more questions regarding asthma.
 
Little Bit’s Mom said:
I’ve used and been happy with Northwest Pharmacy. Many on the Feline Asthma forum utilize In House Pharmacy. I cannot vouch for them, but I just placed an order with them last week. Northwest requires a prescription (which my vet always faxed for me) but In House doesn’t require one if you state it is for a feline. I’m happy to help if you have more questions regarding asthma.
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So Inhouse will take over a month since they don't take credit cards and I have to do an e-check. I'm checking Northwest, do you happen to have a link to the inhaler yu order? Thanks!
 
https://www.northwestpharmacy.com/product/flovent-hfa-inhaler

You will have to manually choose which strength you need. Ask your vet to fax the prescription over tomorrow. It will still take a bit to get here from Canada. I had to purchase inhalers retail here in the US the first couple months (more than $400...). If you post in the feline asthma group that you’re in need of an inhaler ASAP, a member will most likely lend you one and let you mail an inhaler to them once it arrives. I highly suggest ordering more than one at a time.
 
Giving unsolicited advice here lol but maybe it’ll help you if you haven’t read any of these tips yet:
Shake the inhaler vigorously out of the box and expel two puffs into the air to ensure the medication is coming out. Those puffs don’t count against the amount in the inhaler.
If your kitty takes more than one puff, take the inhaler out of the aerokat in between puffs and shake really well again (always shake before puffs).
Wipe kitty’s face with a damp paper towel after all puffs.
Watch for buildup inside the inhaler where the medication is expelled from. Clean with a qtip as necessary.
I wash my aerokats per package directions and rotate them weekly.
Always do a test up to kitty’s face after switching out aerokats. Do this without the inhaler inserted to ensure the flap is moving. If it is still damp, the flap won’t move and you can’t count breaths.
Hope that helps!
 
Little Bit’s Mom said:
Giving unsolicited advice here lol but maybe it’ll help you if you haven’t read any of these tips yet:
Shake the inhaler vigorously out of the box and expel two puffs into the air to ensure the medication is coming out. Those puffs don’t count against the amount in the inhaler.
If your kitty takes more than one puff, take the inhaler out of the aerokat in between puffs and shake really well again (always shake before puffs).
Wipe kitty’s face with a damp paper towel after all puffs.
Watch for buildup inside the inhaler where the medication is expelled from. Clean with a qtip as necessary.
I wash my aerokats per package directions and rotate them weekly.
Always do a test up to kitty’s face after switching out aerokats. Do this without the inhaler inserted to ensure the flap is moving. If it is still damp, the flap won’t move and you can’t count breaths.
Hope that helps!
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This is awesome thank you so much!

Any tips on getting your cat to accept it? Is it like testing? I’m wondering how Minnie will deal with it :nailbiting:
 
Little Bit’s Mom said:
https://www.northwestpharmacy.com/product/flovent-hfa-inhaler

You will have to manually choose which strength you need. Ask your vet to fax the prescription over tomorrow. It will still take a bit to get here from Canada. I had to purchase inhalers retail here in the US the first couple months (more than $400...). If you post in the feline asthma group that you’re in need of an inhaler ASAP, a member will most likely lend you one and let you mail an inhaler to them once it arrives. I highly suggest ordering more than one at a time.
Click to expand...
That’s a great tip, I’ll do that. Thank you!! I managed to order one from Northwest which will arrive in 2 weeks. I’m getting another prescription for 3 refills and I’ll order those from InHouse since it takes the longest and they require a money order. I can’t believe neither takes credit card :mad:
 
Little Bit’s Mom said:
https://www.northwestpharmacy.com/product/flovent-hfa-inhaler

You will have to manually choose which strength you need. Ask your vet to fax the prescription over tomorrow. It will still take a bit to get here from Canada. I had to purchase inhalers retail here in the US the first couple months (more than $400...). If you post in the feline asthma group that you’re in need of an inhaler ASAP, a member will most likely lend you one and let you mail an inhaler to them once it arrives. I highly suggest ordering more than one at a time.
Click to expand...
Where is the feline asthma group?
 
Aleluia Grugru & Minnie said:
This is awesome thank you so much!

Any tips on getting your cat to accept it? Is it like testing? I’m wondering how Minnie will deal with it :nailbiting:
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Most of the time, I sit cross cross and put him in the middle of my legs with his body over my right leg since I’m right handed. Puff the inhaler into the aerokat with it up to your hand. Quickly place the aerokat over kitty’s face. The medication stays in the chamber until they breathe it in. I don’t puff with it on his face because it scares him. You really shouldn’t have any issues since she’s so used to being touched already! Little Bit typically sits there like a perfect boy and does his breaths/puffs, but sometimes (like anyone else), he doesn’t want it. He shook his head a couple times tonight because he’s feeling a bit frisky lol, but I was able to quickly place it back on his face to finish up. Lots of praise! I also count aloud so he can hear. :cat:
 
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our setup every AM & PM! He loves this kitty quilt I bought at a craft fair a year or so ago. Wish I would’ve bought ten! :)
 

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Aleluia Grugru & Minnie said:
That’s a great tip, I’ll do that. Thank you!! I managed to order one from Northwest which will arrive in 2 weeks. I’m getting another prescription for 3 refills and I’ll order those from InHouse since it takes the longest and they require a money order. I can’t believe neither takes credit card :mad:
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I know! I’ve been so surprised none of them take credit cards! I always take a photo of my check and email it to northwest.
 
Purely fancy feast chicken–it is an actual piece of chicken! He loves them! I’ll post a photo from Amazon. I’ve found that’s the easiest way to order because my grocery stores don’t carry packs with just chicken in them—they’re mixed with salmon and tuna.
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Little Bit’s Mom said:
Purely fancy feast chicken–it is an actual piece of chicken! He loves them! I’ll post a photo from Amazon. I’ve found that’s the easiest way to order because my grocery stores don’t carry packs with just chicken in them—they’re mixed with salmon and tuna.
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Oh okay! I could barely read it on the blanket lol. I got the tuna! Shes not really a fan of it but shes getting used to it.
 
Becca84 said:
Oh okay! I could barely read it on the blanket lol. I got the tuna! Shes not really a fan of it but shes getting used to it.
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That’s funny she doesn’t like the tuna because LB probably wishes I would give him tuna instead of chicken lol. Maybe try the chicken and she will like it better!
 
Hello!
Sorry to use your thread, I am writing on behalf of a friend whose cat Lisa is diabetic in remission. Her diabetes was caused by steroids administered to treat asthma. Her asthma has also receded after switching her to a low carb wet diet, however she lately is having a flare-up. How can she treat the flare-up without taking steroid pills? How do you administer inhaler to your cats?
 
kalypso said:
Hello!
Sorry to use your thread, I am writing on behalf of a friend whose cat Lisa is diabetic in remission. Her diabetes was caused by steroids administered to treat asthma. Her asthma has also receded after switching her to a low carb wet diet, however she lately is having a flare-up. How can she treat the flare-up without taking steroid pills? How do you administer inhaler to your cats?
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Here's a video I made showing how we give our cat Yato his Flovent twice a day: https://fb.watch/2nhV6PJX2I/
 
My friends' cat was breathing quickly and making a large movement, so she gave her 1/4 prezolon (prednisolone) pill. Today the vet saw the cat, he said it has to do with asthma or something else respiratory, gave her a draxxin injection (tulathromycin antibiotic) and told her to continue 1/4 prezolon per day for three more days. My friend was reluctant to give more cortisone, but the vet said that since she gave yesterday, she should continue for three more days because it is not good to give just once. My friend wanted me to ask for your opinion if she should continue with prezolon, what do you think?
 
I started Minnie on the inhaler this weekend after of weeks of practicing and getting her used and finally accepting the mask on her face for longer than 3 seconds. I have a question. After you spray the inhaler into the chamber do you need to cover the mask opening with your hand until it’s on her face? In other words, will the spray escape the chamber without being inhaled?

thanks!
 
Aleluia Grugru & Minnie said:
I started Minnie on the inhaler this weekend after of weeks of practicing and getting her used and finally accepting the mask on her face for longer than 3 seconds. I have a question. After you spray the inhaler into the chamber do you need to cover the mask opening with your hand until it’s on her face? In other words, will the spray escape the chamber without being inhaled?

thanks!
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I usually cover the mask opening with my hand when I spray the inhaler into the chamber, then put it over Yato's mouth/nose.
 
THH said:
I usually cover the mask opening with my hand when I spray the inhaler into the chamber, then put it over Yato's mouth/nose.
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Okay. I did that too but she moved her face away after 2 breaths last night and I had to place the mask back on just wondering if anything escaped while that happened... my vet said 5 breaths and I know it seems most cats do 8-10. Thanks!
 
I washed the aerokat for the first time yesterday and I noticed the green flap didn’t seem to be moving as much or opening up as much with her breaths. I took the thing apart again and blew hard on it a few times and now it seems to be working again. Has anyone experienced that before?

Thanks!
 
Aleluia Grugru & Minnie said:
I washed the aerokat for the first time yesterday and I noticed the green flap didn’t seem to be moving as much or opening up as much with her breaths. I took the thing apart again and blew hard on it a few times and now it seems to be working again. Has anyone experienced that before?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes, sometimes the flap doesn't dry all the way after cleaning.
 
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