Patient Profile: "Duncan", an 8-year old, castrated male Siamese-mix.

History: "Duncan" was adopted 3 months ago from a humane society.   He has been sneezing since the owner adopted him.  Now, it's becoming difficult for him to breathe and he eats/drinks very little.  The owner says he has lost weight since she's aquired him.

Physical Examination:  Heart rate = 180/minute.  Pulse rate = 180/minute.  Respiratory rate = 48 breaths/minute.  Body weight = 1.7 kg. "Duncan" seems very depressed.  There are no heart murmurs and his abdomen palpates normally.  However, he is approximately 5% dehydrated and on thoracic auscultation, you can hear wheezes and referred upper airway sounds.

Laboratory Findings:  Lymphopenia (800 cells).  Glucose = 134 mg/dL.  AST = 64 IU/L.  GGT = 2 IU/L.  Potassium = 3.4 mEq/L.

Questions:   

• What criteria are used to make the diagnosis of asthma?
• What radiographic changes can you see with asthma?
• What emergency treatments are instituted in cats with acute respiratory distress secondary to asthma?
• With respect to medication and the household environment, how do you manage the asthmatic patient for the long term?

Answers and Discussion:

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Copyright Wayne E. Wingfield, DVM and Brenda McClelland, DVM, Colorado State University, 2000. All rights reserved.
This page was last edited:  08/24/00