Asthma In Cats: Acute And Long
Tekla Lee-Fowler
DVM, MS, DACVIM
Dr. Lee-Fowler is an associate professor in small animal internal medicine in the department of clinical sciences at Auburn University. She is a graduate of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Lee-Fowler completed a residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.Her research primarily focuses on respiratory disease diagnostics and therapies with a secondary interest in obesity research.
Management of the acute and the chronic asthmatic feline patient must be addressed using a multi-modal, anti-inflammatory approach. Asthma in cats is an inflammatory condition of the lower airways that manifests clinically as a chronic cough and, in some cases, intermittent exacerbations with expiratory distress . Airway inflammation is typically eosinophilic, but a neutrophilic component can be seen in severely asthmatic patients, particularly if a secondary bacterial infection is present. Eosinophilic airway inflammation is not specific for feline asthma, and during initial diagnostic work-up, other differential diagnoses, including parasitic bronchitis should be considered.
Atopica For Cats Dosage
The dosage of Atopica for Cats is 7mg per kg of body weight each day.
The labeled dose for Atopica for Cats is 7 milligrams per kilogram per day or 3.2 milligrams per pound per day, and should be continued for a minimum of 4-6 weeks to determine if it is being effective.
From there, your veterinarian will typically reduce the frequency of administration, which is called tapering, to the lowest frequency that still provides the most benefits. Some cats for example, may maintain well on dosing every other day or just a couple times a week. It is very important however to only adjust a medication dose or frequency under your veterinarians guidance.
While cyclosporine generally can come in a couple of different dosing forms, Atopica for Cats comes in only one specific formulation as a 100 mg/ml oral solution. Because cyclosporine can present a risk to humans handling it , the dispensing system of the bottle and oral dosing syringe are designed specifically to minimize skin exposure to the liquid.
Its important to assemble the dispensing system correctly, using the provided packaging insert, and instructions from your vet.
Information For Cat Owners:
Owners should be advised to discontinue ATOPICA for Cats and contact their veterinarian in case of signs of serious illness and/or persistent, progressive weight loss. Owners should be informed of the risks of increased susceptibility to infection and the development of neoplasia, and they should be provided advice on how to avoid exposure of their cat to Toxoplasma gondii infection.
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How Should This Medication Be Given:
Give Atopica for Cats exactly as directed by your veterinarian. If you do not understand these directions, ask your veterinarian or pharmacist to explain them to you. Always give Atopica for Cats with food or following a meal. Allow plenty of water for your pet to drink. Store Atopica for Cats at room temperature away from moisture and heat.Wash hands after administration. People with known hypersensitivity should avoid contact with atopica.
What Should I Do In Case Of Emergency
While the risk of a cetirizine overdose is low, overdoses of cetirizine products also containing pseudoephedrine can be serious. If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, call your veterinary office immediately. If they are not available, follow their directions in contacting an emergency facility.
| Contributors: Rania Gollakner, BS, DVM, MPH |
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Atopica Dosage For Dogs
The Atopica dosage for dogs is 2.2 mg/lbs as a single daily dose for 30 days. After that, the frequency of use can be decreased to every other day or twice per week. The goal is to achieve the minimum frequency that yields therapeutic effects.
Atopica tablets come in several strengths 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. However, they cannot be crushed or opened, which means finding your dogs right dosage may require multiple capsules, sometimes of different strengths. Here is a short explanation of how to combine the Atopica strengths:
- 4-6.5 lbs: 10 mg capsule
- 6.6-9 lbs: 2 x 10 mg capsule
- 9.1-16 lbs: 25 mg capsule
- 16.1-33 lbs: 50 mg capsule
- 33.1-64 lbs: 100 mg capsule
- 64.1-79 lbs: 100 mg + 50 mg capsule
- 79.1-121 lbs: 2 x 100 mg capsule.
Your veterinarians recommendation may differ from this chart. We recommend following your veterinarians dosage recommendations.
Atopica medication is also available in the form of an oral solution . However, the oral suspension form is intended for use in cats.
Atopica is best given on an empty stomach one hour before or at least two hours after meals. Some dogs may vomit when they first start taking Atopica, in which case your veterinarian may recommend giving the medication with food, at least initially.
If you accidentally forget a dose, either give it as soon as you remember or skip it completely. Never double-dose your dog to compensate for the missed dosing.
Products Made With Less Than 03% Thc Are Legal In All 50 States
These are the products I use and recommend in my practice.
While THC has many therapeutic properties, legislation to make it legal and research to find therapeutic doses for pets is needed.
To keep the content of this post practical and legal, we will focus on products that contain high amounts of CBD and less than 0.3% THC. Even though I practice veterinary medicine in Colorado , I hold a DEA license at the federal level. Therefore, I keep my recommendations in line with the federal law.
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Special Precautions To Be Taken When Administering Atopica For Cats:
Do not eat, drink, smoke, or use smokeless tobacco while handling ATOPICA for Cats.
Wash hands after administration.
In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and provide the package insert or the label to the physician.
People with known hypersensitivity to cyclosporine should avoid contact with ATOPICA for Cats.
How Long Can A Cat Stay On Atopica
Given the nature of the types of diseases Atopica is used to treat, many cats will be on this medication for a very long time, sometimes for life. It is always the goal to taper Atopicas dosing frequency down to the lowest effective dose, to minimize potential side effects and make it as safe as possible long-term.
While there are some cases where an immunosuppressive medications dosing and frequency may be tapered down enough that it can be discontinued, this should not be a common expectation.
In some cases, especially if side effects are seen, other medications or therapies may be considered.
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Effects Of Immune System Suppression
If a cat carrying toxoplasmosis is put on an immunosuppressant medication like cyclosporine, the inactive stage of the organism can become active again, causing actual disease.
Because cyclosporine suppresses the immune system, its use must be considered very carefully in light of any other health concerns a kitty has. While it can cause problems on occasion, the immune system of course is very important to general health and it can keep certain diseases in check.
Feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus are two viruses we can commonly see in the cat world that can weaken a kittys immune system even as it tries to keep them in check.
Suppressing the immune system further with cyclosporine use can worsen viral disease, and make a kitty more susceptible to other viral and bacterial infections that a cat with a normal immune system would easily be able to fend off. For this reason, it may be recommended to have a cat tested or retested for FeLV and FIV prior to starting Atopica long-term.
Similarly, any kitty that may have a weaker immune system for other reasons, such as an elderly cat, may also see a much higher risk of secondary infections.
Toxoplasmosis is also important to mention, as some cats can be carriers and use of cyclosporine carries a risk of it causing disease.
If a cat carrying toxoplasmosis is put on an immunosuppressant medication like cyclosporine, the inactive stage of the organism can become active again, causing actual disease.
Whats It Used For In Dogs
There is quite a large range of ailments for which Atopica is prescribed, and here well take a look at a couple of the more common afflictions.
Cyclosporine is a powerful immuno-suppressive drug that is used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and organ transplantation. In dogs, cyclosporine is used to treat a spectrum of chronic inflammatory and immunemediated diseases. Cyclosporine was approved by the FDA in 1983 for the treatment and prevention of organ rejection in human transplant cases.
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What Products Should I Use And Where Can I Get Them
As products flood the market, it is important that consumers make an educated purchases for themselves and their pet. My inbox is full of people asking about products they have purchased or considering purchasing. When I vet these products, I am looking for the following criteria.
My absolute favorite product line is HempRx by Rx Vitamins for Pets. This line is specifically made for cats and dogs. It comes in an oil and chewable form. For cats I recommend getting the regular strength HempRx and starting with 1-2 drops twice daily. This bottle will last approximately 2-3 months.
What Is Atopica For Cats:
Atopica for Cats is an immunosuppressant available by prescription. Atopica for Cats is FDA approved for use in the treatment of feline allergic dermatitis in cats at least 6 months of age and weighing at least 3 pounds. Atopica for Cats is available as 5ml and 17ml oral solutions and comes with an oral syringe. The usual dose of Atopica for Cats is 3.2 mg/lb orally 1 time a day for 4-6 weeks. Following this, the dose may be tapered to every other day or twice weekly as needed to maintain the therapeutic effect. Dosing of the liquid formulation is accomplished by a syringe that is marked with weight bands for easy dosing.
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Are There Any Side Effects
This is a great question and something you should always consider for any medication or supplement you are giving your kitty. The most common side effect I have seen in my patients is increased appetite and decreased anxiety. Some animals can become sedate on CBD products.
CBD can promote relaxation and some animals are more sensitive than others. If you notice your cat has become too sedate, stop giving the product and work with your veterinarian. Allergic reactions are always possible. Some cats that are allergic to grass can also be allergic to cannabis. This is rare but is a possibility.
Remember to work with your veterinarian when deciding on a treatment plan for your cat. If you would like to work with a holistic or integrative veterinarian check out these sites to find one:
Should Atopica Be Given With Food
While cyclosporine should be given on an empty stomach in dogs, there is reportedly no difference in absorption of the medication in cats whether its given with or without food. However, it is recommended that whatever way is chosen, that this method of administration is kept consistent.
When giving with food, it is recommended to administer directly onto a small amount of canned or soft food to ensure that the dose is consumed.
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Instructions For Assembling The Dispensing System And Preparing A Dose Of Atopica For Cats Usp Modified
Assembling the Dispensing System
The dispensing system consists of 4 parts:
Fitting the Plastic Adapter into the New Bottle of Medicine
- Remove and save the screw cap.
- Remove and dispose of the rubber stopper.
- Hold the open bottle upright on a table and push the plastic adapter firmly into the neck of the bottle as far as you can, then close the bottle with the screw cap.
- To provide a child-resistant closure, push down on the child-resistant screw cap as you turn it.
Note: To prepare a dose, carefully follow the instructions for Preparing a Dose of Medicine.
Preparing a Dose of Medicine
Close the bottle with the child-resistant screw cap after use.
Whats So Great About Cbd Anyways
Using cannabis as medicine is not new.
We are not the first civilization that has used this plant for its medicinal purposes. Whats great about modern technology and medical research is that we now have the technology to harness the medicinal properties of cannabis and to innovate pure products.
While there is emerging research on the use of cannabis for dogs , much of what we know today is anecdotal or extrapolated from human medicine. Anecdotal evidence is mainly composed of individual reports. For example, a cat might have accidentally ingested some medical marijuana and the guardian noticed a resolution of symptoms. Maybe after consuming the cannabis, the pet was able to jump on the bed again or was more playful.
CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, reduce anxiety, improve overall well being, reduce pain and lessen or eliminate seizure activity. To learn more about CBD and the physiology behind cannabis, check out this article.
Below are some conditions that CBD may be helpful for in kitties:
1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease : This is frustratingly common in cats. CBD may have a place alongside other therapies to help reduce inflammation and therefore symptoms. Cats with IBD may vomit, have diarrhea or may lose weight. To learn more about why cats vomit click here. I generally use diet and herbs to help control IBD symptoms in kitties.
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Cats And Their Eosinophils
Most true allergies in cats fall under eosinophilic granuloma complex , which can manifest as different lesion types:
- Miliary dermatitis: small, raised, crusty papules
- Eosinophilic plaque: elevated, flat thickening with a red-orange center and crusting
- Rodent/indolent ulcer: eosinophilic infiltrate that occurs as bilateral, raised lesion at the upper lip margins
- Eosinophilic granuloma: linear plaques, often on one or both hind legs, and dome-like masses that may occur in the interdigital tissues.
EGC is treated with multimodal therapy that sometimes includes antibiotics. Steroids have a very strong inhibitory effect on eosinophils, Dr. White said.
About Dr Chris Vanderhoof Dvm Mph
Dr. Chris Vanderhoof is a 2013 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, where he also earned a Masters in Public Health. He completed a rotating internship with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and now works as a general practitioner in the Washington D.C. area.Dr. Vanderhoof is also a copywriter specializing in the animal health field and founder of Paramount Animal Health Writing Solutions, which can be found at www.animalhealthcopywriter.com. Dr. Vanderhoof lives in the Northern Virginia area with his family, including 3 cats.
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What Is Atopica For Cats
Atopica is a brand name for the drug cyclosporine. Cyclosporine is a systemic immunosuppressive agent called a calcineurin inhibitor that is used to treat illnesses caused when a cats own immune system either directly attacks a certain body system, or becomes over-stimulated, leading to a more indirect but no less debilitating state of disease. These types of illnesses are called immune-mediated diseases.
Atopica for Cats is a very specific liquid solution form of cyclosporine that is FDA-approved to treat allergic dermatitis, a skin condition caused by the immune systems response to allergens. Atopica may also be used for a variety of other immune-mediated diseases in an off-label manner, at a veterinarians discretion.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects
Cetirizine does not typically cause any side effects. Vomiting and increased salivation has been observed in some dogs. At high doses, sleepiness has been reported in small dogs and cats. Any side effects that are severe or worsen should be reported to your veterinarian.
This short-acting medication should stop working within 24 hours, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.
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What Does Atopica Do For Cats
Atopica for Cats is labeled for treating allergic dermatitis, also called atopic dermatitis, in cats. Commonly referred to as skin allergies, this syndrome can have several presentations, including generalized itchy skin and scratching, scabs, alopecia , and red ulcerative lesions called eosinophilic plaques.
Cyclosporine acts directly on the part of the immune response called cell-mediated immunity. Essentially, this is the part of the immune system that does not involve antibody production, but instead the bodys direct production of T-cells to attack foreign targets like allergens.
There are other immune-mediated diseases a veterinarian may decide to use cyclosporine for in cats that dont involve the skin. These can include diseases of blood cells like pure red cell aplasia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, as well as the gastrointestinal tract like inflammatory bowel disease, and the mouth as in stomatitis.