What's the best way to get my reluctant cat to use his asthma inhaler?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sweetie. I am glad that she will see her veterinarian for an examination. X-rays are typically of the chest as well. Based on these results, a diagnosis of asthma can be made in most cases. You are correct that inhalers can be used to manage this condition. A steroid inhaler such as fluticasone works well for daily use. This works very well with minimal systemic side effects. However, this medication tends to be very expensive. Albuterol is another medication that can be used in the inhaler. It is not a steroid. This is better for rescue situations such as during an attack. I hope this information helps!

I'm sorry Pumpkin isn't feeling well. Asthma can be difficult to control. Pumpkin needs to be on a daily inhaled steroid as well as an oral steroid. You need a rescue inhaler for emergencies. Make sure you aren't using any aerosols or vapors in the home- that means any plug ins, cleaning supplies, smoking, candles, etc. Also, make sure your vet has prescribed a dewormer to rule out parasites that mimic asthma. If that's not working, you may need to see a specialist to discuss further options. Good luck and kisses to Pumpkin!

It sounds like you have exhausted many of the options available to you already. While the medications are great particularly at reducing inflammation in the airways, they don't actually deliver any additiional oxygen to Clark's body or blood stream. For some of my cardiac patients and to a lesser extent the respiratory patients, I recommend keeping an at home oxygen set up available not that different from how a human with emphysema keeps oxygen on hand. This often helps reduce the number of attacks as well as the need for a stressful visit to the vet everytime an attack occurs or appears like it is going to occur. I am not saying it is a subsitute for a vet, but I would speak with your primary vet about potentially getting you a prescription for the tank. You will have to build the vessel yourself but can be done so out of a large tupperware and some tubing essentially with relative ease. In terms of life expectancy, it will all come down to your ability to get the attacks under control. In theory the disease can be be managed long term, but in worst cases potentially like Clarks, can ultimatley result in respiratory distress and failure. Hope this make sense.

I think the diagnosis is probably feline asthma. I don't know if it is available in your country but we do inhaled steroids/bronchodilators using a special cat mask called Aerokat. Seems to work better than the systemic treatment. The antibiotic treatment is probably not necessary (kesium). ( https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/caring-cat-asthma ) ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yyIsWjvt2I ) Maybe see if there is a way your vet can get you an AeroKat inhaler.

I am so sorry that Spectre is going through this. Albuterol 90 mcg usually just 1 puff is used in cats in times of respiratory distress. I would not wait and I would get her into see an emergency veterinarian immediately. The albuterol will wear off and when it does she needs to either be in an oxygen cage or have enough steroids on board to calm her airways. I would encourage you to discuss an Aerokat mask with your veterinarian as these can be really useful in administering the albuterol to kitties. Also an inhaled steroid may be a good idea as well. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

She will need to be with a family who is prepared to spend a bit more money on medications and doctor visits. She will likely need to be on oral medications or inhaled medications. The inhalers are pretty easy for most cats (Aerokat makes an appropriate spacer). I would also make sure the family does not have smokers, as this could make asthma worse. Her life span will not be inherently shorter. I do wonder about her being diagnosed at SUCH as young age (if the 1lbs is correct). It's possible that more than just asthma is going on. I would want the family to consider her a special needs cat and know she's going to have some vet bills. Thanks for all you do fostering kittens!

Hello, sorry to hear about Aspen. It does indeed sound like he is in the right where he could be developing some feline asthma. This disease can be exacerbated by environmental irritants such as aerosolized sprays, candles, smoking, pollen, and dust. Diagnosis is typically confirmed with an x-rays and by sampling the lungs as well as making sure that Aspen does not have lung worms with a fecal exam. If Aspen is having a difficult time breathing, then he needs to be seen by her veterinarian immediately. Medications to treat this disease typically involve antibiotics and likely steroids. Other wise, practice avoiding any environmental allergen at home, and don't expose him to any strenuous exercise of high stress situations. Hope this helps and best of luck.