Asthma in Cats

My old boy Horatio developed asthma later in life. He was put on prednisone and he didn't like it. I found out why - he began throwing up blood, caused problems with his stomache and he almost died. I found out that you should always give prednisone with food - never on an empty stomach. I was at our cottage 116 miles from home and rushed him back. He was put on meds and his stomach ulser healed, but no more prednisone. He was put on 2 inhalers 1 for whenever use, and 1 for emergency use. I was given a applicator that a child would use but he fought it. My vet told me to use a toilet paper roll. Put it over his nose and then administer the puffer. It worked!! But he would hold his breath so I'd have to poke him in the ribs to get him to inhale.

My other cat Catlyn (his daughter) was on prednisone for 12 years and she never developed any problems with it. She had bowel problems (coilitus). My vets never said give with food!! My Mother was using prednisone for abit and her Dr. said take with food.

The make a special chamber to use for cats its called AeroKat Feline Aerosol Chamber ...I have a Siamese with asthma and this works very well with his inhaler. They do tend to hold there breath sometimes. With the aeroKat it has a little valve that moves as the cats inhale so you can count how many breaths they take.
Prendisone is a good/bad med. If you can avoid your cat having to use it its best. Your vet sure should of told you the side affects of long term steriod use!

I've also known of people to get a big clear plastic Rubbermaid tote, cut a hole in the end for the nebulizer to stick in, cute some vents in the top, drop the cat in, snap on the lid and then turn on the nebulizer. It's important to use a clear tote though. Many have had good success doing it that way.