Feline Asthma: Diagnostic and Treatment Update

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2020 Mar;50(2):375-391. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2019.10.002. Epub 2019 Dec 4.

Abstract

Asthma is an important allergic lower-airway disease in cats affecting approximately 1% to 5% of the pet cat population. New diagnostics are being developed to help better differentiate asthma from other lower-airway diseases and improve monitoring. In addition, new treatments are being developed to help in refractory cases or in those cases in which traditional therapeutics are contraindicated. This article discusses potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of asthma. In addition, current literature investigating new diagnostic tests and therapies for feline asthma is reviewed.

Keywords: Airway eosinophilia; Airway hyperresponsiveness; Feline asthma; Feline lower-airway disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / therapy
  • Asthma / veterinary*
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cat Diseases / therapy*
  • Cats
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Immunotherapy / veterinary
  • Steroids / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Steroids