New treatments being considered for feline asthma

Please note: Media Relations is unable to answer questions about pet health problems. Contact your veterinarian.

Source: Lisa Moore, 785-532-5690; e-mail: lmoore@vet.ksu.edu.
News release prepared by: Mark Berry, 785-532-6415

Friday, May 10, 2002

NEW TREATMENTS BEING CONSIDERED FOR FELINE ASTHMA

MANHATTAN -- Cats are notorious for causing asthma attacks in humans, but those furry pets themselves can be the victims of the dangerous breathing condition.

Most cats respond well to conventional asthma therapy, but a few suffer from side effects or don't benefit from common treatments. Several new therapies are in development that may help cats with asthma. Some of those therapies are already being used in veterinary practices, said veterinarian Lisa Moore, an assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University.

One therapy is a human asthma medication called zafirlukast, more commonly known by its trade name Accolate. It reduces inflammation in the air passages, which helps prevent asthma attacks. The medicine has been used in cats, though it's effect on cats hasn't been studied. Moore said she hopes to test its safety in cats, as well as its effectiveness and proper dosage.

"Some people say it helps. We'd like to get some scientific information to find out if that's true," Moore said.

Another new treatment is a steroid inhalant, much like those used for humans. Inhalants are puffed into the mouth of the asthmatic, and its chemicals are then breathed in.

It's not easy to get a cat to inhale at the right time, so a device is being used that allows the owner to place a mask over the cat's mouth, allowing the cat to inhale the medicine. Traditional steroids for cats are taken in pill form, but that sometimes results in side-effects. The steroid inhalant only affects the important part of the body -- the air passages.

The inhalant and anti-inflammatory drugs help prevent asthma attacks. Another drug, called terbutaline, is being used as an injection to quickly give relief after an asthma attack has begun. Moore said terbutaline has been the subject of some studies, but zafirlukast and the inhalant have not.

"More information is needed on all these therapies," Moore said.

Asthma is estimated to affect 1 percent of the more than 12 million cats living in the United States. The problem is expected to become more common, just as it has in the human population, because of rising levels of allergens and pollution in the air. An asthma attack can be fatal to cats, as it can in humans.

Cats with asthma are often sensitive to cigarette smoke, perfume, aerosols, dusty cat litter and powdered carpet deodorizers, Moore said. Symptoms include coughing and fits where breathing appears to be more rapid or the cat breathes through the mouth. Cats ordinarily breath through the nose.

If pet owners suspect their cat has asthma, but the cat has not yet begun asthma treatment, they can participate in a study at K-State. Moore is studying the airways in asthmatic cats, which she said may lead to a study on zafirlukast. Owners who bring in cats that they believe have asthma will have part of the asthma testing performed for free.

Moore will give a presentation on new feline asthma therapies at K-State's 64th Annual Conference for Veterinarians June 5.