Managing Feline Asthma & Canine Bronchitis

Corticosteroids (eg, fluticasone, mometasone, budesonide)

• Reduce airway inflammation and mucus production

• Used for ongoing management of conditions even in absence of clinical signs

Bronchodilators

• Open airways by relaxing smooth muscles to reduce bronchoconstriction

• Not to be used as monotherapy

• Available in short-acting and long-acting formulations¹

  • Short-acting formulations (eg, albuterol, salbutamol)

    • 4- to 6-hour duration

    • Are considered rescue medications; may help coughing flare-ups and limit need for clinic visits²

    • Albuterol is not to be used chronically, as it may result in worsening of airway inflammation; corticosteroids are the mainstay for long-term management and control

  • Long-acting formulations (eg, salmeterol)⁵

    • 12-hour duration

Combination inhalers (eg, fluticasone/salmeterol, budesonide/formoterol, mometasone/formoterol)

• Often a combination of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting formulations

• Reduce inflammation and relax smooth muscle

• Indicated for disease management, not rescue⁵

• May be used as a step-up therapy

Behavioral changes, including aggression

Lethargy

Increased thirst and urinary incontinence

Increased risk for infection (eg, UTI)

Diabetes mellitus

Weight gain/obesity

Vomiting/diarrhea

Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism

Immunosuppression