Symptoms

• Since asthma constricts the airways, the most common symptoms are related to breathing difficulties. In cats, these include wheezing, retching, panting and dry cough. The CFA warns that excessive panting is life-threatening to a cat. Feline asthma symptoms must be tested for a proper diagnosis, as they are similar to other diseases such as pneumonia and heartworm. Tests include blood work, chest X-rays, and lung cell samples.
  
  

Types

• The Feline Asthma website explains that there are five types of feline asthma medications: corticosteroids, bronchodilators, leukotriene inhibitors, inhaled steroids and antihistamines. Corticosteroids are inhaled or oral long-term treatments that include Depo-Medrol, Prednisone and Prednisolone. Bronchodilators are inhaled medications like Albuterol and Salmeterol. Leukotriene inhibitors are oral medications like Singulair, taken for long-term relief.
  
  

Benefits

• Corticosteroids are taken on a daily basis to help reduce inflammation of the airways. This effect can help prevent symptoms in your cat, reducing the chances of an asthma attack. The benefits of inhaled steroids are similar to corticosteroids but the medication is not as strong, posing fewer side effects. The CFA touts corticosteroids as the most important form of asthma treatment in cats. Bronchodilators relieve asthma symptoms like wheezing by clearing your cat's airways. Antihistamines are prescribed for feline asthma to help combat allergens which may contribute to asthma symptoms.
  
  

Possible Side Effects

• Corticosteroids can cause minor side effects like appetite and thirst changes. More serious side effects include glaucoma, behavioral changes, kidney disease, osteoporosis, stomach ulcers and liver disease. Bronchodilators also come in the form of oral medications, which can cause heart palpitations and headaches. Inhaled steroids can cause throat irritation and gagging. Leukotriene inhibitors are not commonly used for feline asthma, because there is not enough evidence for their effectiveness. The CFA reports that long-term relief medications for feline asthma pose more side effects than do quick-relief medicines.
  
  

Considerations

• Aside from traditional medications, there are alternative forms of treatment you can use for feline asthma, as long as you check with a veterinarian first. According to the Feline Asthma site, herbal capsules, and homeopathic treatments are available for your cat's asthma symptoms. Vitamins B, C and E as well as cod liver oil and primrose oil purportedly help boost your cat's immunity, which can possibly help decrease asthma symptoms.