Changes

Also known as '''''Feline Allergic Bronchitis — Feline Bronchial Disease — Feline Bronchitis Complex'''''

Also known as '''''Feline Allergic Bronchitis — Feline Bronchial Disease — Feline Bronchitis Complex'''''

Careful '''auscultation of the heart''' to differentiate cardiac disease from respiratory conditions is necessary.

Careful '''auscultation of the heart''' to differentiate cardiac disease from respiratory conditions is necessary.

'''Thoracic radiographs''': Findings range from normal to increased bronchial and/or increased bronchial and interstitial patterns with or without alveolar densities. Peribronchial infiltrate is described as ''''donuts'''' on the ventrodorsal view and ''''tramlines'''' on the lateral view. There are often hyperlucent lung areas and '''flattening and caudal displacement of the diaphragm'''. There may be '''air trapping and hyperinflation'''. Atelectasis of the '''right middle lung lobe''' and mediastinal shift to the right have also been noted.  

'''Thoracic radiographs''': Findings range from normal to increased bronchial and/or increased bronchial and interstitial patterns with or without alveolar densities. Peribronchial infiltrate is described as ''''donuts'''' on the ventrodorsal view and ''''tramlines'''' on the lateral view. There are often hyperlucent lung areas and '''flattening and caudal displacement of the diaphragm'''. There may be '''air trapping and hyperinflation'''. [[Atelectasis]] of the '''right middle lung lobe''' and mediastinal shift to the right have also been noted.  

Rarely, '''rib fractures and pneumothorax''' may be evident.  

Rarely, '''rib fractures and pneumothorax''' may be evident.  

'''Haematology''' may reveal increased numbers of circulating eosinophils.  

'''Lung ultrasound''', specifically '''[[VetBLUE]]''', can be used to differentiate between wet lungs, dry lungs, and nodular patterns.  Asthma will have dry lungs.

'''Bronchial cytology''' is variable, with predominant cell types including eosinophils, neutrophils and macrophages. However eosinophils can be found in normal cat airways.

'''Haematology''' may reveal increased numbers of circulating [[eosinophils]].  

'''Bronchial culture''' may reveal ''Mycoplasma'' species in approximately 25% of cases.  

 

'''Bronchial culture''' may reveal [[:Category:Mycoplasmas|''Mycoplasma'' species]] in approximately 25% of cases.

 

'''[[Heartworm]]''' antigen testing should be performed.

If the cat is presented in an acute episode, a '''rapid response''' to dexamethasone, bronchodilators and oxygen is highly suggestive of a diagnosis of asthma.

If the cat is presented in an acute episode, a '''rapid response''' to dexamethasone, bronchodilators and oxygen is highly suggestive of a diagnosis of asthma.

Eliminating any '''underlying inciting cause''' is important, such as changing or eliminating the litter, cleaning house vents, replacing filters, eliminating smoke, restricting the cat to certain areas of the house.

Eliminating any '''underlying inciting cause''' is important, such as changing or eliminating the litter, cleaning house vents, replacing filters, eliminating smoke, restricting the cat to certain areas of the house.

It is important to '''rule out parasitism''', and a 7 day course of fenbendazole may be useful.

It is important to '''rule out parasitism''', and a 7 day course of fenbendazole may be useful. 

 

If heartworms are present they will need to be treated appropriately.

The primary method of control is the sustained use of glucocorticoids. '''Prednisolone''' can be given orally every 12 hours, and the dose can be '''tapered gradually to a dose every other day'''. Some cats may respond better to dexamethasone or triamcinolone. Sometimes cats can be weaned off the glucocorticoids and are then given only as needed by the owner.

The primary method of control is the sustained use of glucocorticoids. '''Prednisolone''' can be given orally every 12 hours, and the dose can be '''tapered gradually to a dose every other day'''. Some cats may respond better to dexamethasone or triamcinolone. Sometimes cats can be weaned off the glucocorticoids and are then given only as needed by the owner.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Most cats '''respond favourably''' to oral therapy and can be '''controlled on low-dose, alternate day prednisolone'''. Untreated cats may develop irreversible chronic bronchitis and lung changes. '''Bronchiectasis''' can be a sequela of feline lower airway disease.

Most cats '''respond favourably''' to oral therapy and can be '''controlled on low-dose, alternate day prednisolone'''. Untreated cats may develop irreversible chronic bronchitis and lung changes. '''[[Bronchiectasis]]''' can be a sequela of feline lower airway disease.

Many cats will develop additional '''acute episodes''' and owners should be instructed to seek immediate veterinary attention if these occur.

Many cats will develop additional '''acute episodes''' and owners should be instructed to seek immediate veterinary attention if these occur.

[[Category:To Do - Helen]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Small Animal]]

[[Category:To Do - Review]]

[[Category:Allergic Respiratory Diseases]][[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Cat]][[Category:To Do - Major]][[Category:To Do - Respiratory]]

[[Category:Allergic Respiratory Diseases]][[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Cat]]

[[Category:Type I Hypersensitivity Diseases]]

[[Category:Type I Hypersensitivity Diseases]]

[[Category:Bronchi and Bronchioles - Pathology]]

[[Category:Bronchi and Bronchioles - Pathology]]

[[Category:Respiratory System - Inflammatory Pathology]]

[[Category:Respiratory System - Inflammatory Pathology]]