Asthma ... Ventonlin ?

[wolf63]

I know this is the 'wrong category' for this question but ... I wanted an accurate(ish) answer.

My CAT has a Flixotide inhaler twice a day for his asthma. He has been on this for about two years. Prior to this he had only one real asthma attack (caused by a household spray) but ongoing coughing fits.

He is currently healthy and greedy and not at all ill - but still has ongoing coughing fits. They bother him for only a short time - 10/15 minutes perhaps 4-6 days per week.

Would there be any point in adding in his Ventolin inhaler at least once a day? I realise that this is not a preventative inhaler but is it possible that it might cut down on his coughing?

The coughing, for some reason, upsets me and I get in a panic over it. My panic is out of all proportion to the problem - I know this but when it happens it is horrendous.

To date my vet has been very good but I feel that their knowledge of this is not as good as doctors treating human asthma.

Thanks

[boxtops]

wolf, I don't know if you can take Ventolin and Flixotide together - I'd want to make sure that there is nothing in them which is risk if they are combined. Would you do this for a human?

[rowanwitch]

Ventolin no good for prevention.....I wonder if he has the start of a sinus problem and crud is going down the back of his throat triggering the coughing does he sneeze as well?.... would possibly try using the ventolin at the start of a coughing fit to see what happens so long as the vet says its ok though as it might stop a coughing fit developing into an asthma attack... but if he's well you would be treating your distress not his....
Maybe ask for a second opinion from a vet with a special interest in respiratory conditions who might be more clued up on optimal treatment

[Sqad]

Seems worth a try to me.....Flixotide is an anti-inflammatory and Ventolin a bronchial dilator......perfect combination.

If it was my cat, i would give it a go.

[wolf63]

Thanks to the three of you -

boxtops - the Vet gave me both inhalers and told me to administer the Flixotide twice a day and the Ventolin as and when required. I can't believe the cost of these items - the Flixotide is £75 for about two months and the Ventolin is less than £10. Thank the Cat God for insurance.

rowan - he is mainly a morning cougher - sounds like my mother used to each morning (before dying with emphysema!) but he is never ill with it - the sweet thing is that, after his coughing fit, he almost always visits his litter tray. I have only heard him sneeze a couple of times - usually when he is snorting his cat-nip and it is all over his face.

sqad - I will try adding the Ventolin for a few weeks and see how he gets on. We tried the Flixotide three times a day a while back - but trying to catch the little s0d three times a day was a nightmare. I know that he is fine and that the problem is me and my bipolar brain wiring. But when he starts coughing the old panic and fight or flight response takes over.
Do you have any moggies of your own? They are strange animals!

Susan - currently being ignored by Frankie and Princess Merlin

Thanks

[Sqad]

wolf ...too right I do....all three ferrel cats that we rescued as kittens....I often warn them that i will take them back to the wild..;-)

[wolf63]

Sqad - I thought that the cat sanctuary visits were enough for you - but you have your own! I tell my two that in other countries they eat little boys and girls like you! I presume Mrs Sqad is a big softie too. Are they allowed in the house? In such a warm climate I am sure that the moggies will find a suitable place to sleep regardless of your instructions.

By two were born feral but rescued by the Cats Protection people - they are lovely cats but being siblings they are forever bickering.

I always wanted a dog as a child and as an adult have had two, but they are sycophants and needy. Cats are spiteful and evil and unpredictable. They are complex and fascinating animals - and pretty annoying too.

[archeraddict]

I have a horse who has seasonal 'COPD' - not the best description for it, as it is seasonal but they don't tend to diagnose horses with 'asthma'.

I give her an inhaled steroid through a spacing chamber, which has a paediatric mask on the end. I place it over one of her nostrils and then block off her other nostril with my hand and then let her breathe in and out 3 or 4 times.

I start in March and will finish end of September and it keeps her very well controlled. However, when she does get break through symptoms, like coughing, I give her some ventolin and usually double her steroid for a week or so to get control of the symptoms again. Coughing is a symptom of the steroid not keeping the inflammation controlled so using both is a perfect solution, as sqad said.

I have specialised as a respiratory nurse in the past and the vet just let's me have whatever I need. I agree that most vets are not that sure about best practise for these sorts of problems!

[wolf63]

archeraddict - I don't think cats get asthma as in the human version, it appears to be an umbrella name given to a few ailments that cause problems in feline lungs.

I plan to keep giving him both inhalers and we will see how it goes. When he coughs it sounds like he is trying to barf up a huge hairball. He was coughing this morning - prior to that he had barfed up all over my sudoku puzzle book. ;-(

The vet said that it is mainly horses and cats that suffer from this not-asthma problem. I had to purchase an Aerokat which is a nebuliser of sorts and it shows if he is breathing or holding his breath. (Is that the correct spelling of nebuliser?)

Being a mother/slave is hard work. ;-)

[archeraddict]

I know what you mean about hard work - they are quite a commitment aren't they.

I hadn't heard of an aerokat, so have just looked it up. It looks the same thing as I use for my horse. The only difference is that I have used an aerochamber, made for humans, and then added the mask on to the end. It looks from the photo as if there is no difference, just that an enterprising animal company has put 'kat' at the end to make it sound purpose built for them.

It sounds as if you are doing a great job. Just don't worry about giving an extra dose of ventoilin if your cat is coughing a lot. I think that the side effects are very similar to those in humans (and horses!), and just makes the heart go a bit faster and usually resolves very quickly. A nasty coughing fit can do the same though, so it is better to use it and get the coughing under control.

Keep up the good work.

[wolf63]

:-)