Changes

*Synonym: feline allergic bronchitis

*Pathology very similar to COPD/SPA-RAO in horses and human asthma, although few published papers relating to it

 

*Allergens - house dust mites, fungal spores

*Widespread narrowing of airways

| Also known as:

 

Feline asthma is an allergic airway disease that bears many similarities with asthma in humans and with [[Recurrent Airway Obstruction|recurrent airway obstruction]] (RAO) in horses.  Affected animals become allergic to allergens present in their immediate environment, including house dust mites and fungal spores and produce [[IgE]] antibodies against these molecules.  When later exposed to the same allergens, asthmatic cats suffer a form of type I hypersensitivity response localised in the bronchi and bronchioles and resulting in constriction of the airways.

 

Cases of feline asthma may be divided into '''intrinsic''' and '''extrinsic''' disease. 

 

**'''Extrinsic asthma'''

**'''Extrinsic asthma'''

***Type I hypersensitivity in response to allergen challenge - mediated by [[IgE]]

***Type I hypersensitivity in response to allergen challenge - mediated by [[IgE]]

**'''Intrinsic asthma'''

**'''Intrinsic asthma'''

***A proportion of cats there is an increased propensity for the bronchial smooth muscle to contract (increased bronchial reactivity) -> airway constriction

***A proportion of cats there is an increased propensity for the bronchial smooth muscle to contract (increased bronchial reactivity) -> airway constriction

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

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