Evaluation of long-term therapy in cats with feline asthma and chronic bronchitis

Abstract

Objective Feline asthma (FA) and chronic bronchitis (CB) are common inflammatory diseases of the bronchial tree in cats. Even though both conditions are characterized by infiltration with different types of inflammatory cells, therapeutic measures are often similar. Little is known about potential differences in therapeutic management of these 2 airway diseases. Therefore, aim of the study was to compare initial and long-term treatment, therapeutic success, side effects, and owner satisfaction between cat with FA and those with CB.

Material and methods Thirty-five cats with FA and 11 cats with CB were included in the retrospective cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria were compatible clinical and radiographic signs and cytological evidence of eosinophilic inflammation (FA) or sterile neutrophilic inflammation (CB) in bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid (BALF). Cats with CB were excluded if evidence of pathological bacteria was present. Owners were contacted to fill out a standardized questionnaire on therapeutic management and response to treatment.

Results Comparing treatment in both groups, no statistical significance was detected. Most cats were initially treated with corticosteroids as oral (FA 63%/CB 64%, P=1), inhaled (FA 34%/CB 55%, P=0.296) or injected formulations (FA 20%/CB 0%, P=0.171). In addition, oral bronchodilators (FA 43%/CB 45%, P=1), and antibiotics were given in some cases (FA 20%/CB 27%, P=0.682). For long-term management, 43% of cats with FA and 36% of cats with CB received inhaled corticosteroids (P=1), oral corticosteroids (FA 17%/CB 36%, P=0.220), and oral bronchodilators (FA 6%/CB 27%, P=0.084) as well as courses of antibiotics (FA 6%/CB 18%, P=0.238). Treatment-related side effects (polyuria/polydipsia, facial fungal infection, and diabetes mellitus) were reported in 4 cats with FA and 2 cats with CB. The majority of owners stated to be extremely or very satisfied with the response to treatment (FA 57%/CB 64%, P=1).

Conclusion Significant differences regarding management and response to therapy for both diseases could not be detected.

Clinical relevance Based on owner survey, chronic bronchial diseases as feline asthma and chronic bronchitis could be managed successfully with similar treatment.

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel Felines Asthma (FA) und chronische Bronchitis (CB) sind häufige entzündliche Erkrankungen der Atemwege der Katze. Obwohl beide Krankheitsbilder durch eine Infiltration mit unterschiedlichen Entzündungszelltypen gekennzeichnet sind, sind die therapeutischen Maßnahmen oft ähnlich. Über mögliche Unterschiede im therapeutischen Management dieser beiden Atemwegserkrankungen ist wenig bekannt. Ziel der Studie war es daher, bei Katzen mit FA und CB die Erst- und Langzeitbehandlung, Therapieerfolg, Nebenwirkungen und Besitzerzufriedenheit zu vergleichen.

Material und Methoden 35 Katzen mit FA und 11 Katzen mit CB wurden in die retrospektive Querschnittstudie eingeschlossen. Einschlusskriterien waren kompatible klinische und radiologische Befunde sowie der zytologische Nachweis einer eosinophilen Entzündung (FA) oder einer sterilen neutrophilen Entzündung (CB) in der bronchoalveolären Lavage-Flüssigkeit (BALF). Katzen mit CB wurden ausgeschlossen, wenn Hinweise auf pathologische Bakterien vorlagen. Besitzer wurden gebeten einen standardisierten Fragebogen zum therapeutischen Management und Ansprechen auf die Behandlung auszufüllen.

Ergebnisse Im Gruppenvergleich wurden keine statistisch signifikanten Unterschiede der Therapie festgestellt. Die meisten Katzen wurden anfänglich mit Kortikosteroiden mittels einer oralen (FA 63%/CB 64%, p=1), inhalativen (FA 34%/CB 55%, p=0,296) oder injizierbaren Applikationsform (FA 20%/CB 0%, p=0,171) behandelt. Zusätzlich wurden in einigen Fällen orale Bronchodilatatoren (FA 43%/CB 45%, p=1) und Antibiotika (FA 20%/CB 27%, p=0,682) verabreicht. In der Langzeittherapie erhielten 43% der Katzen mit FA und 36% der Katzen mit CB inhalative Kortikosteroide (p=1), orale Kortikosteroide (FA 17%/CB 36%, p=0,220) und orale Bronchodilatatoren (FA 6%/CB 27%, p=0,084) sowie phasenweise Antibiotika (FA 6%/CB 18%, p=0,238). Behandlungsbedingte Nebenwirkungen (Polyurie/Polydipsie, Pilzinfektion im Gesicht und Diabetes mellitus) wurden bei 4 Katzen mit FA und 2 Katzen mit CB registriert. Die Mehrheit der Besitzer gab an, mit dem Ansprechen auf die Behandlung äußerst oder sehr zufrieden zu sein (FA 57%/CB 64%, p=1).

Schlussfolgerung Signifikante Unterschiede hinsichtlich des Managements und des Therapieansprechens konnten bei beiden Erkrankungen laut Besitzerbefragung nicht festgestellt werden.

Klinische Relevanz Laut Besitzerumfrage können chronische Bronchialerkrankungen der Katze wie Asthma und chronische Bronchitis können mit einer ähnlichen Behandlungsstrategie erfolgreich therapiert werden.

Key words

Feline bronchial disease - respiratory distress - cough - corticosteroids - bronchodilator

Schlüsselwörter

Feline Bronchialerkrankungen - Atemnot - Husten - Kortikosteroide - Bronchodilatatoren

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