Feline asthma

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Howiesmom

Howiesmom

Active Member
Hello!
If anyone has experience with Feline asthma, I would love to connect. Howie's adopted sister was just diagnosed today and they sent me home with prednisolone and said she'll probably be on it for life. With all my experience with FD and connecting with folks on here, I know long-term use can result in diabetes. Just trying to get my bearings, online support resources, and options that are effective. My poor girl has never taken a pill and now has 2 to take! A little traumatic for her and me!
 
Howiesmom said:
Hello!
If anyone has experience with Feline asthma, I would love to connect. Howie's adopted sister was just diagnosed today and they sent me home with prednisolone and said she'll probably be on it for life. With all my experience with FD and connecting with folks on here, I know long-term use can result in diabetes. Just trying to get my bearings, online support resources, and options that are effective. My poor girl has never taken a pill and now has 2 to take! A little traumatic for her and me!
Click to expand...
@Suzanne & Darcy
@Wendy&Neko
 
Last edited:
Feline Asthma is not my wheelhouse. I see there is a groups.io group specializing in Feline Asthma and another one for inhaled medications for asthma.

@Margaret (and Pearl) has a lot of knowledge on asthma, but it's been a while since she posted. You could try PM'ing her.

Side note on the prednisolone, it's ECID whether long term use causes diabetes. Got an IBD cat who's been on pred for 6+ years now, her body won't let me taper it off. Her BG is still normal. But she is seeing some of the other side effects of long term pred use. :(

Have you seen if you can get the medications compounded? The pred I give is compounded as a chicken flavour chew treat.
 
I have an asthmatic cat. She was on oral prednisolone for a while, it did help the asthma, but back in October I transitioned her to inhaled steroids which are much better for her because the steroids work locally in the lungs. We use an Aerokat chamber and a Flucatisone inhaler. She does one of two puffs twice a day. She’s tolerating it very well. It only takes a minute or two twice a day (once we got her trained to use it.)
 
I was just thinking about you the other day! I was going to write you, but I wasn’t sure you would get it.

Anyway, my vet said the oral prednisolone would just be “easier” for us. I think she’s just never had anyone try using the Aerokat chamber before. I didn’t even need an Rx to buy the Flucatisone since I buy it from a pharmacy in Vanuatu. So I transitioned her all on my own (tapered the pred as I started introducing the Flucatisone.) Vet does not even know I’ve done it yet as I’ve just been too busy to take her back in and she really doesn’t need a check up at this point. I joined the Feline Asthma group on groups.io to help get me started. A lot of people there started on oral steroids and then transitioned to inhaled steroids. She’s Darcy’s sister as a matter of fact — His litter mate! She’s actually doing better on the inhaled med now — far less wheezing. Most of the time it’s just one puff twice a day. If I hear wheezing, I do two puffs twice a day. Some cats have coughing, but with Grace, it was her “noisy breathing” and wheezing that prompted a visit to the vet.
 
I will be around tomorrow and I will check in here to see if you replied. I would be happy to help and tell you more.

There are lots of videos about how to use the Aerokat…. Youtube. It’s less daunting than it looks.
 
Last edited:
I started Methos on a Flovent inhaler when he was diagnosed in 2009. It’s easy to use with sn aerocat spacer (he stopped last year when his tumor produced more than enough steroids to go around)

one tip—the mask doesn’t need to be mashed tightly against the cats face. This will push on the whiskers and they won’t like it. If you watch the green flap as long as it’s moving, he’s getting medicine in the medicine isn’t going to leak out of the aero cat. If the mask isn’t tightly on, it’s still ok bc the medicine is held in the chamber and when the cat inhales and you see that flap moving that shows that the medicine is being drawn into the cats lungs. not mashing the mask against his face helps Cat cooperation,
 
Ditto to everything @Suzanne & Darcy and @SmallestSparrow said. One of my non-diabetics was asthmatic for years and we used the Aerokat chamber with Flovent inhaled meds (I ordered the Flovent from Mark’s Marine in Canada — it’s stupidly expensive to buy from a US pharmacy). He did really well on it with no side effects.

I don’t know if the site is still maintained, but back in the day the go-to resource for feline asthma was www.FritzTheBrave.com . If memory serves, the author passed away but I believe her husband kept the site available.
 
I buy mine from Vanuatu as I said. Here’s what I pay for them. Air mail is free. I usually buy the two pack for $122. There are 120 doses per inhaler. Right now, I would do the Prednisolone to start getting that inflammation down, but I would research and then talk to my vet about how you would like to try the inhaled steroids. If they’re supportive you can get a prescription, but you don’t need it necessarily. You want to buy Flixotide 250 mcg. (when you eventually get to that point) and an Albuterol rescue inhaler to keep on hand in case of a breathing crisis. I have never had to use it, but some people do.

upload_2024-12-30_7-39-56.png




Here’s a copy of the introductory post I got from the Feline Asthma group when I forgot joined. Some good info here:

Hi Suzanne and Grace, welcome to our group, this is my standard initial email for new members that has a lot of information. Since your vet appointment is coming up you may want to discuss some of this information if the asthma diagnosis is confirmed. Please know that you are in the right place, this is a very informative and supportive group, we have all been where you are now and are here to help thing easier for you and your fur baby.

So sorry that your kitty may have developed asthma. Good news is it is quite easily controlled and she will live a long healthy life. All of our kitties are on inhaled steroids that is what we recommend because the inhaled steroids have fewer side effects.

My cat, Sakhi passed away 2 years ago from causes unrelated to asthma, he had been a member of this group for almost 13 years and his asthma was controlled. Asthma is not curable with medication but like in humans it can be controlled.

Now that you found us and we can give you advice how this should be handled so you and your kitty both feel better.

Once you have an asthma diagnosis most of us switch over to inhaled fluticasone propionate corticosteroid. It is a low dose corticosteroid that works directly on the inflammation in the airway. Flovent takes about 14 days to build in the system. It is designed so very little enters the system to cause the same systemic long term adverse side effects that oral or injected corticosteroids cause with long term use. It is the best way to control the asthma with the least amount of side effects. It is a low dose corticosteroid that works directly on the inflammation in the airway. Most of us start our kitties with the higher dosage and taper it down as needed. If Grace is diagnosed with asthma this would be the preferred treatment. The Flovent is administered twice a day 12 hours apart and we recommend starting with the higher dosage 1 puff in am and 1 puff in pm. If that doesn’t control it you can increase to 2 and 2.

It is actually very easy to use inhaled medications and just takes a bit of patience and perseverance to teach a cat to use the Areokat which is the device that is used to give the cats the inhaled medication. I can send you an Areokat, I have several in our group pharmacy which I administer, if you decide to go this route just let me know and I will ship it to you.

The flovent is very expensive in the USA so most of our members buy it on-line from In House pharmacy which is the least expensive place to buy it. It is a reliable source and you will need a prescription from your vet for the initial order. I ordered from them for 12 years and never had an issue. If you cannot get a prescription you can call them and explain that it is for your cat and they are usually agreeable to send it to you because they are familiar with our group.
You will need to start your kitty on 2 doses(Puffs) twice daily of the flovent
She will need this dosage to start to get her symptoms under control. This is something that you should discuss with your vet, there is a lot of information on our archives that you can print and take to the vet, if the vet does know about the inhaled meds then it will be easier and you will be on the right track.

We also recommend having handy inhaler of albuterol/ventolin which is the emergency inhaler in case she has a severe attack and her breathing is compromised, you can give a puff of albuterol to help her feel better and stop the bronchospasms. You can repeat it every 30 minutes. This is not the daily inhaler used to treat asthma it is a rescue emergency inhaler. Regardless, when you have a cat with asthma it is always good to have an inhaler of albuterol or ventolin on hand as it is a fast acting bronchodilator that works in about 10 -15 minutes to give relief.

Below is a link to inhouse pharmacy which is where many of us order the meds from, you can also order from Pharmstore both sell the inhalers at substantially less than buying in the US and a link to a video on how we use the aerokat and were to buy it. We all buy the Flovent from overseas because it is so expensive in the US. The Areokat you can purchase at VetrxDirect or from amazon or as i said I am happy to mail you one if you give me your address.

Any questions you have please feel free to ask. Many great people here to help you and your kitty. Once the asthma is controlled only you will know she/he has asthma and will leave the worrying to you and get on with her/his life. Just be sure she/he gets the flovent twice daily. Same place same time twice daily approx 12 hours apart as you need to keep a constant level of the drug in his system. It clears the system in 8-12 hours.

Flixotide CFC Free 250mcg 120 Doses/Inhaler (Fluticasone Propionate)



Flixotide CFC Free 250mcg 120 Doses/Inhaler (Fluticasone Propionate)
Flixotide inhaler 250mcg (CFC-Free) is used to control inflammation in the airways and prevent symptoms of asthma like wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness of the chest. Its active ingredient is fluticasone and you can buy Flixotide inhaler 250mcg (CFC-Free) online from Inh...

View on www.inhousepharmacy..vu
Preview by Yahoo

Ventolin Inhaler 100mcg CFC Free 200 Doses/Inhaler (Salbutamol)


Ventolin Inhaler 100mcg CFC Free 200 Doses/Inhaler (Salbutamol)
Ventolin inhaler (CFC Free) 100mcg is used to relieve symptoms of asthma. The active ingredient is salbutamol 100mcg and you can buy Ventolin (CFC Free) 100 mcg online from InhousePharmacy.vu.

View on www.inhousepharmacy.vu
Preview by Yahoo




AeroKat - Feline Aerosol Chamber for Asthma | VetRxDirect




AeroKat - Feline Aerosol Chamber for Asthma | Vet...
Trudell's AeroKat Aerosol Chamber is used with inhalers for asthma in cats. Fast, FREE delivery from the U.S. in just a few days. Discounts available.

View on www.vetrxdirect.com
Preview by Yahoo




Aerokat How to Use



Aerokat How to Use
Our cat, Jaspurr, was diagnosed with asthma. The veterinarian recommended using an inhaled medication instead of a steroid pill.. So we got the Aerokat sys...

View on www.youtube.com
Preview by Yahoo

You should read through our site and print any materials that you find useful to discuss with your vet. This group has been a life saver for all of us and we are all here to help you.

Regarding the litter, I am sure that our members will give you other options. I also use Dr Elsey Ultra, I have noticed that is not as dust free as it used to be but still better than others. I know that other members will have other suggestions.

Post as much as you need to and ask as many questions as you may have, do not feel bad we have all been in your place and asked many questions, we are all here to help each other.

Once you discuss it with your vet please let us know the outcome of the visit.
 

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There’s another pharmacy some of the people in the Feline Asthma group order from and it’s called PharmStore. It’s Canadian. Vanuatu is still the least expensive. I’m starting to order antibiotics from there as well, to keep on hand in my stores here.
 
I use
https://www.canadacloudpharmacy.com/

They’re actually in Canada as opposed to a previous one I used that really seemed based in Asia. This was important to me for a few reasons, among them faster shipping and so far no customs issues. I had one shipment with the other pharmacy that got confiscated by customs . The one above, in Canada, has a fast shipping option that costs more but I use that so my inhalers don’t bounce around in who knows what temperature for many days.
And if I had to speak with them about an order I was speaking to someone without an accent so I was certain we both understood what was being said about medication.
 
Leroy has asthma along with diabetes and other issues :rolleyes: The asthma is controlled with a steroid pill (currently budesonide) which also controls the IBD. He was already on steroid for the IBD when he developed asthma so the vet didn't see a need to start inhaled medicine. I use a pill cutter to split the pill and then hide each piece in some thawed NV Raw Bites. I used pill dough for awhile but Leroy stopped eating that. Pill Pockets is one brand and there are others. You can even use Churu sticks or some soft cheese or meat baby food or whatever your cat likes to hide pills in. Some steroids may be available compounded into flavored liquid or other forms for easier giving.

My previous cat also had diabetes and asthma but he was treated with inhaled medicine (Flovent). I actually found that the vet hospital's own in-house pharmacy had Flovent for way less than any local Human pharmacy. I wasn't comfortable with ordering online.

Here are two asthma groups where you can get more info:

http://www.felineasthma.org/
https://groups.io/g/felineasthma
 
Oh how I love my FD family on here! Thank you so much for so much info. I will read through all of it and reach out with questions. So incredibly grateful for all your support even for my non- sugar kittie! :bighug:
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
I buy mine from Vanuatu as I said. Here’s what I pay for them. Air mail is free. I usually buy the two pack for $122. There are 120 doses per inhaler. Right now, I would do the Prednisolone to start getting that inflammation down, but I would research and then talk to my vet about how you would like to try the inhaled steroids. If they’re supportive you can get a prescription, but you don’t need it necessarily. You want to buy Flixotide 250 mcg. (when you eventually get to that point) and an Albuterol rescue inhaler to keep on hand in case of a breathing crisis. I have never had to use it, but some people do.

View attachment 72112



Here’s a copy of the introductory post I got from the Feline Asthma group when I forgot joined. Some good info here:

Hi Suzanne and Grace, welcome to our group, this is my standard initial email for new members that has a lot of information. Since your vet appointment is coming up you may want to discuss some of this information if the asthma diagnosis is confirmed. Please know that you are in the right place, this is a very informative and supportive group, we have all been where you are now and are here to help thing easier for you and your fur baby.

So sorry that your kitty may have developed asthma. Good news is it is quite easily controlled and she will live a long healthy life. All of our kitties are on inhaled steroids that is what we recommend because the inhaled steroids have fewer side effects.

My cat, Sakhi passed away 2 years ago from causes unrelated to asthma, he had been a member of this group for almost 13 years and his asthma was controlled. Asthma is not curable with medication but like in humans it can be controlled.

Now that you found us and we can give you advice how this should be handled so you and your kitty both feel better.

Once you have an asthma diagnosis most of us switch over to inhaled fluticasone propionate corticosteroid. It is a low dose corticosteroid that works directly on the inflammation in the airway. Flovent takes about 14 days to build in the system. It is designed so very little enters the system to cause the same systemic long term adverse side effects that oral or injected corticosteroids cause with long term use. It is the best way to control the asthma with the least amount of side effects. It is a low dose corticosteroid that works directly on the inflammation in the airway. Most of us start our kitties with the higher dosage and taper it down as needed. If Grace is diagnosed with asthma this would be the preferred treatment. The Flovent is administered twice a day 12 hours apart and we recommend starting with the higher dosage 1 puff in am and 1 puff in pm. If that doesn’t control it you can increase to 2 and 2.

It is actually very easy to use inhaled medications and just takes a bit of patience and perseverance to teach a cat to use the Areokat which is the device that is used to give the cats the inhaled medication. I can send you an Areokat, I have several in our group pharmacy which I administer, if you decide to go this route just let me know and I will ship it to you.

The flovent is very expensive in the USA so most of our members buy it on-line from In House pharmacy which is the least expensive place to buy it. It is a reliable source and you will need a prescription from your vet for the initial order. I ordered from them for 12 years and never had an issue. If you cannot get a prescription you can call them and explain that it is for your cat and they are usually agreeable to send it to you because they are familiar with our group.
You will need to start your kitty on 2 doses(Puffs) twice daily of the flovent
She will need this dosage to start to get her symptoms under control. This is something that you should discuss with your vet, there is a lot of information on our archives that you can print and take to the vet, if the vet does know about the inhaled meds then it will be easier and you will be on the right track.

We also recommend having handy inhaler of albuterol/ventolin which is the emergency inhaler in case she has a severe attack and her breathing is compromised, you can give a puff of albuterol to help her feel better and stop the bronchospasms. You can repeat it every 30 minutes. This is not the daily inhaler used to treat asthma it is a rescue emergency inhaler. Regardless, when you have a cat with asthma it is always good to have an inhaler of albuterol or ventolin on hand as it is a fast acting bronchodilator that works in about 10 -15 minutes to give relief.

Below is a link to inhouse pharmacy which is where many of us order the meds from, you can also order from Pharmstore both sell the inhalers at substantially less than buying in the US and a link to a video on how we use the aerokat and were to buy it. We all buy the Flovent from overseas because it is so expensive in the US. The Areokat you can purchase at VetrxDirect or from amazon or as i said I am happy to mail you one if you give me your address.

Any questions you have please feel free to ask. Many great people here to help you and your kitty. Once the asthma is controlled only you will know she/he has asthma and will leave the worrying to you and get on with her/his life. Just be sure she/he gets the flovent twice daily. Same place same time twice daily approx 12 hours apart as you need to keep a constant level of the drug in his system. It clears the system in 8-12 hours.

Flixotide CFC Free 250mcg 120 Doses/Inhaler (Fluticasone Propionate)



Flixotide CFC Free 250mcg 120 Doses/Inhaler (Fluticasone Propionate)
Flixotide inhaler 250mcg (CFC-Free) is used to control inflammation in the airways and prevent symptoms of asthma like wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness of the chest. Its active ingredient is fluticasone and you can buy Flixotide inhaler 250mcg (CFC-Free) online from Inh...

View on www.inhousepharmacy..vu
Preview by Yahoo

Ventolin Inhaler 100mcg CFC Free 200 Doses/Inhaler (Salbutamol)


Ventolin Inhaler 100mcg CFC Free 200 Doses/Inhaler (Salbutamol)
Ventolin inhaler (CFC Free) 100mcg is used to relieve symptoms of asthma. The active ingredient is salbutamol 100mcg and you can buy Ventolin (CFC Free) 100 mcg online from InhousePharmacy.vu.

View on www.inhousepharmacy.vu
Preview by Yahoo




AeroKat - Feline Aerosol Chamber for Asthma | VetRxDirect




AeroKat - Feline Aerosol Chamber for Asthma | Vet...
Trudell's AeroKat Aerosol Chamber is used with inhalers for asthma in cats. Fast, FREE delivery from the U.S. in just a few days. Discounts available.

View on www.vetrxdirect.com
Preview by Yahoo




Aerokat How to Use



Aerokat How to Use
Our cat, Jaspurr, was diagnosed with asthma. The veterinarian recommended using an inhaled medication instead of a steroid pill.. So we got the Aerokat sys...

View on www.youtube.com
Preview by Yahoo

You should read through our site and print any materials that you find useful to discuss with your vet. This group has been a life saver for all of us and we are all here to help you.

Regarding the litter, I am sure that our members will give you other options. I also use Dr Elsey Ultra, I have noticed that is not as dust free as it used to be but still better than others. I know that other members will have other suggestions.

Post as much as you need to and ask as many questions as you may have, do not feel bad we have all been in your place and asked many questions, we are all here to help each other.

Once you discuss it with your vet please let us know the outcome of the visit.
Click to expand...
Suzanne,
Can you send me the link to join this group? It sounds incredible!

I have a prednisolone prescription for 1 every 24 hours for 7 days and then 1 every other day for 28 days. So 5 weeks total. You are THE BEST!
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Feline Asthma is not my wheelhouse. I see there is a groups.io group specializing in Feline Asthma and another one for inhaled medications for asthma.

@Margaret (and Pearl) has a lot of knowledge on asthma, but it's been a while since she posted. You could try PM'ing her.

Side note on the prednisolone, it's ECID whether long term use causes diabetes. Got an IBD cat who's been on pred for 6+ years now, her body won't let me taper it off. Her BG is still normal. But she is seeing some of the other side effects of long term pred use. :(

Have you seen if you can get the medications compounded? The pred I give is compounded as a chicken flavour chew treat.
Click to expand...
I will definitely check out the compounded treat option! Thanks for the great suggestion!
 
This is the group. I wonder why there are elephants in the photo? Funny!

These people are so nice. They even sent me a free Aerokat which they had in the group’s “pharmacy.” There’s another group called something like feline asthma inhaled medications. These groups are not as busy as the FDMB, but they’re super helpful.

Did you manage to get her to take the pills today?
 
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