Cat Asthma

So my cat was diagnosed last year via x-ray with "mild asthma" -- my vet put him on predlisone. That worked like a charm. Though I was able to keep him on a low dose. However, when we got our first blood test results his blood sugar was high. The vet seemed to think that this was due to stress at the vet but, I just think that is sticking your head in the sand.  I asked what else was available and she suggested an antihistamine. MAN have I had trouble with that. Killed my entire week.

Still hasn't gotten a dose.

But in the past 4 days he has had two attacks... that I know of.

I figure I have to give natural remedies a shot.

First I tried (1) Pet Amaze (but that has failed me before) then, just yesterday I tried (2) Querican and Bromide (a natural supplement) some people say that works for asthma and some people say it doesn't. And finally, just now (3) Salmon Oil - there is a lot of people that say that works for reducing inflammation.

I am being conservative with Querican and Bromide and the Salmon oil as they both have blood thinning properties. Since I don't know what is in the pet amaze I am discontinuing. I find that hard to keep up with anyway.  Unless someone knows that it is safe with the other supplements.

I feel like I have to just be patient and give time for these things to work. But I am an impatient girl.

Finally I do know I might have to get the inhaler. I have tried for the past few days to get my cat to let me put a cup over his face. No go..  not even for a second. Any ideas on how to get him to let me do that?

Instaed of a cup, use an empty toilet paper tube. It will be easier for your cat to breath through a tube than a cup. Place the tube over your cat's nose for a second or two and then reward with a yummy treat. Soem cats don't like to face you and see a big scary tube coming right at them so in that case, sit your cat facing away from you, use one arm to hold your cat in place if needed, and bring the tube to the nose.  Slowly increase the amount of time of the tube over the nose, probably up to 30 seconds or so.

This web site has more info on feline asthma: http://www.fritzthebrave.com/

Mommytobuck said:

 
. However, when we got our first blood test results his blood sugar was high. The vet seemed to think that this was due to stress at the vet but, I just think that is sticking your head in the sand.

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Stress does elevate blood glucose levels. It's a pretty well known fact in Human medicine. Many pets do experience a similar elevation in blood glucose level due from being stressed out at the vet's office.

LTS3 said:

 
Stress does elevate blood glucose levels. It's a pretty well known fact in Human medicine. Many pets do experience a similar elevation in blood glucose level due from being stressed out at the vet's office.

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But he has been problem at the vet since day one and never experienced a glucose raise before.  In fact his last blood test involved three vets on top of him.. and a 10 minute fight for blood... and it was still 100. But now, after a year of predlisone it is 277?  To me that seems like a red flag. I asked the vet why she felt it was stress and she said there was no glucose in the urine. But since that time I have seen several articles that say glucose doesn't show up in the urine until diabeates is somewhat advanced.  In addition she said 277 was low. However, my cat had been fasting over 12 hours because the vet told me he may need to put him out to get blood (which he did).

Anyway, it just doesn't seem to be a good idea unless necessary.

I have been working with the you tube videos and so far -- he won't even let me put the cup near his face. One video says you should lift the cat off the ground but, that so didn't work. I realize it takes time but my cat is the type who is just a problem on everything.  But I am considering just buying the aero cat inhaler.

I am considering going back on the oral pill for the winter. During which time I will do my best to get the cat used to the inhaler.  

There are loads of videos on YouTube showing how to teach a cat to use an inhaler - just type in AeroKat.

I have to say, though, that I didn't have time for the 'softly, softly' approach with my rainbow boy. Firm, quiet insistence was the route I took. I would kneel on the floor, snuggle him on the floor between my legs (so he couldn't back away), gently restrain with my left hand and use the AeroKat inhaler with my right. To make things easier, it's perfectly ok to work the inhaler just before using (as opposed to while the mask is over the cat's face). In fact, that's the only way my pony will tolerate it (I have an asthmatic pony too - same chamber, different mask). I would ALWAYS have an extra yummy treat ready to offer as soon as the inhaler is done.

I found that the inhaler is readily accepted (or tolerated, anyway) this way. You have to remember that the effects are very quick, so the cat actually learns to connect the inhaler with feeling better. Cali HATED all meds, but would actually come to get me if I was late with his AeroKat!

If you want to try the longer route of teaching your boy to accept the mask first, then get some paté or something else extra yummy and smear or place it in the mask. Do this multiple times a day. Soon the cat connects the mask with yumminess, and will (hopefully) tolerate the inhaler when it's introduced.

Hope that all makes sense. Inhalers really are the best and most effective way of treating asthma. Good luck!

Mommytobuck said:

 
But he has been problem at the vet since day one and never experienced a glucose raise before.  In fact his last blood test involved three vets on top of him.. and a 10 minute fight for blood... and it was still 100. But now, after a year of predlisone it is 277?  To me that seems like a red flag. I asked the vet why she felt it was stress and she said there was no glucose in the urine. But since that time I have seen several articles that say glucose doesn't show up in the urine until diabeates is somewhat advanced.  In addition she said 277 was low. However, my cat had been fasting over 12 hours because the vet told me he may need to put him out to get blood (which he did).

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100 is great really Normal cat blood glucose levels are roughly 60 to 150. Steroid use can cause blood glucose levels to be kind of high and borderline diabetic. Some cats on long term steroid use can get diabetes which is usually reversed if the steroid is stopped. You can ask the vet to run a fructosamine test to see what your cat's average blood glucose levels were for the past few weeks. A quick in office blood glucose test only tells what the level is at that very moment. Diabetic cats do have glucose in the urine. If your cat doesn't, then the high blood glucose level is from a combinaton of stress (having 3 vets on top of you is scary and stressful) and steroid use. I wouldn't worry about the higher than normal level in such a case.

Have patience with the AeroKat and getting your cat used to it. Few cats accept anything over their nose right away.

A low carb (canned) diet may keep your cat from developing diabetes while on the steroid.

Columbine said:

If you want to try the longer route of teaching your boy to accept the mask first, then get some paté or something else extra yummy and smear or place it in the mask. Do this multiple times a day. Soon the cat connects the mask with yumminess, and will (hopefully) tolerate the inhaler when it's introduced.

Hope that all makes sense. Inhalers really are the best and most effective way of treating asthma. Good luck!

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That is a great idea. Can I give him both the inhaler and the oral pill ?

The plan would be to put him on the pill while he was learning the inhaler.

That would be a question for your vet. Cali was on both, but his asthma was a complication of end stage congestive heart failure - we had no worries about any side effects from high steroid usage.

I should point out that I don't recommend using a treat in the mask at the same time as using the inhaler....I'm not sure that the two together would work

Columbine said:

I should point out that I don't recommend using a treat in the mask at the same time as using the inhaler....I'm not sure that the two together would work

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LOL yes I figured.

On the blood level...  it is actually interesting .. he has always had perfect blood level even though he has been overweight for a while.

The high glucose could have been related to the steroids in another way. This was the first visit where he was an insane terror. I mean, he was growling before I even got him out of the carrier. He was "roid rage" angry.  Now that he has been off the steroids for a few days... I am noticing a change in his personality.  More happy go lucky.  Just yesterday was the first time in ages that he actually rant near me in an attempt to get me to play.  I wonder if the steroids influenced the stress level.

If he older than 12 I might risk it, but at 9, I feel like it isn't worth the risk.

I think I am pretty much decided on just learning to use the inhaler.

I wonder if you could lightly "marinate" a cardboard tube or the inhaler mask in catnip and offer it to your cat? Your cat may accept that better since it smells good. With the mask, make sure your cat doesn't get too rough with it and pucture holes in it with claws or teeth. The AeroKat comes with two different sized masks but if only one fits the cat you'd need to buy a replacement mask.

Well blood gluocse levels are higher than usual with steroid use so adding some stress may be enough to really get the cat upset and crranky.

Mommytobuck said:

On the blood level...  it is actually interesting .. he has always had perfect blood level even though he has been overweight for a while.

The high glucose could have been related to the steroids in another way. This was the first visit where he was an insane terror. I mean, he was growling before I even got him out of the carrier. He was "roid rage" angry.  Now that he has been off the steroids for a few days... I am noticing a change in his personality.  More happy go lucky.  Just yesterday was the first time in ages that he actually rant near me in an attempt to get me to play.  I wonder if the steroids influenced the stress level.

If he older than 12 I might risk it, but at 9, I feel like it isn't worth the risk.

I think I am pretty much decided on just learning to use the inhaler.

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I think you're making the right decision. The beauty of using the inhaler is that you're able to use MUCH lower doses of the drugs to achieve the same effect because the drugs are delivered exactly where they need to be, instead of having to get there via the bloodstream. I couldn't risk giving ANY systemic (oral) steroids to my pony because of the risk of metabolic syndrome, but she's been able to tolerate the inhaler without any problems (apart from mugging me for carrots afterwards :lol3: ).

Columbine said:

I think you're making the right decision. The beauty of using the inhaler is that you're able to use MUCH lower doses of the drugs to achieve the same effect because the drugs are delivered exactly where they need to be, instead of having to get there via the bloodstream. I couldn't risk giving ANY systemic (oral) steroids to my pony because of the risk of metabolic syndrome, but she's been able to tolerate the inhaler without any problems (apart from mugging me for carrots afterwards

).

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That is the real question... if my cat will tolerate it. So far, he won't. Not even for a second. I suppose it is possible that on weekend I could sneak up on him when he is asleep and get a few puffs... but if he is awake.. ugh.

When I say tolerate, I mean physically tolerate the drugs without side effects.

The trick to inhalers and cats is to get them when they're sleepy, and quietly insist - but stay calm yourself. That's really important. I used to talk rhythmic, soothing nonsense to Cali whilst the mask was on "such a good boy, 10 breaths to go, such a brave boy, and 9 breaths.."etc. I think its the rhythm and soothing tone that helps most - I'd count so I wouldn't lose track of where he was. You can do this. Just quietly and firmly insist. Think dealing with a recalcitrant toddler - you're not asking, you're telling. I was too gentle with Cali at first, and got nowhere. Just go for it!

Columbine said:

When I say tolerate, I mean physically tolerate the drugs without side effects.

The trick to inhalers and cats is to get them when they're sleepy, and quietly insist - but stay calm yourself. That's really important. I used to talk rhythmic, soothing nonsense to Cali whilst the mask was on "such a good boy, 10 breaths to go, such a brave boy, and 9 breaths.."etc. I think its the rhythm and soothing tone that helps most - I'd count so I wouldn't lose track of where he was. You can do this. Just quietly and firmly insist. Think dealing with a recalcitrant toddler - you're not asking, you're telling. I was too gentle with Cali at first, and got nowhere. Just go for it!

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The problem is that I work all day and that is when he sleeps. In the few hours I am home he is wide awake. Has anyone tried cyclosporine ?

This is apparently an immuno suppressent that isn't as effective as the steroid but my cat has a mild problem so it might work for him. The only problem is that it says it should be given on an empty stomach, and I can't see how to do that with food.

So my vet explained to me (rudely) that cyclosporine would require like weekly blood tests to make sure he was ok. She didn't tell me this but later I found out almost every drug for Feline Asthma except for steroids, doesn't really work. 

Faced with that... I got the inhaler.

The good news... I have tried giving it to my cat 3 times now and each time, it went decently. 5-7 puffs without complaint. But this was without medication and I guess I will have to give him 10. I do actually think this is doable. For those that might be reading this... contemplating the same thing, I felt like the "key" for the inhaler is that it has like a vacume and once you put it on the nose, it isn't particularly easy to get out of. So unlike a toilet roll or a cup, once it gets on... it stays on pretty much.  I am shocked at how relatively trouble free it has gone.  Tomorrow I will fill the inhaler and try to give the medication. That might be trickier as I think he might object to a wet face and run when he sees me shaking the inhaler.

I used to have a cat with asthma, and the vet had me give her twice daily breathing treatments using a nebulizer--no mask involved, and it was pretty easy. I cannot for the life of me remember what medications I used in the nebulizer. I mixed saline with two other liquid medications. I already had a nebulizer because my grandfather who had lived with us and passed away had used one. This was the kind that had a mouthpiece, not a mask. The vet had me tape up the mouthpiece, put the cat in a carrier, put a plastic bag around the carrier, make a small hole in it, and stick the open end where the
vapor (?) comes out through the hole into the carrier. I would put her in, turn it on and leave her in until all the medicine was used up, about 15-20 minutes.

Mommytobuck said:

So my vet explained to me (rudely) that cyclosporine would require like weekly blood tests to make sure he was ok. She didn't tell me this but later I found out almost every drug for Feline Asthma except for steroids, doesn't really work. 

Faced with that... I got the inhaler.

The good news... I have tried giving it to my cat 3 times now and each time, it went decently. 5-7 puffs without complaint. But this was without medication and I guess I will have to give him 10. I do actually think this is doable. For those that might be reading this... contemplating the same thing, I felt like the "key" for the inhaler is that it has like a vacume and once you put it on the nose, it isn't particularly easy to get out of. So unlike a toilet roll or a cup, once it gets on... it stays on pretty much.  I am shocked at how relatively trouble free it has gone.  Tomorrow I will fill the inhaler and try to give the medication. That might be trickier as I think he might object to a wet face and run when he sees me shaking the inhaler.

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It's great that he's accepting the mask so well I told you it was easier than it looks!

Don't stress about adding the meds in - they won't make his face wet at all. I doubt he'll even notice a difference, apart from his breathing will be better. Just go for it!

What do I do about the crazy cost of the inhaler.

What are they charging you? Mine came from the vet, and was about £100. They are expensive, but it's a one off purchase, and the drugs themselves aren't too expensive (at least, that's my experience, though I am in the uk. I can't comment on US pricing).

It might be worth searching online to see if you can get a better price. Amazon have it for a little under $70

Is it Flovent? You can shop around for approximate prices at the local Human pharmacy using this web site: http://www.goodrx.com/

If you haven't already joined, the Feline Asthma Yahoo group is a great place to get more help on your cat's asthma and find ways to save money on the medicine. There used to be a very popular online pharmacy where many members bought generic Flovent for really really cheap. I'm not sure if the pharmacy still exists (web site doesn't but I heard the company was renamed or something) but the Feline Asthma group would definiltey know for sure.

I always bought my previous cat's Flovent from the vet hospital's in-house pharmacy for less than what the regular Human pharmacy charged. It was still more than the online pharmacy but it was a lot easier and faster to get it from there than to wait for the online pharmacy to ship it and have the package go through US Customs.