Adopting a cat with asthma: What care is needed and what to expect?

Question

I have a foster who was diagnosed with asthma. I'm thinking of adopting her but just want to get a better idea of how asthma will affect her life. Will she need an inhaler? Are they difficult to use on cats? Will her lifespan be shorter? Is her risk of death during surgery going to be greater? (I ask because she isn't fixed yet), what do I need to be prepared for? And our there any natural ways I can help her breathing at home? Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 11 days old | 8 lbs

C. Rathjens, DVM · Accepted Answer

She will need to be with a family who is prepared to spend a bit more money on medications and doctor visits. She will likely need to be on oral medications or inhaled medications. The inhalers are pretty easy for most cats (Aerokat makes an appropriate spacer). I would also make sure the family does not have smokers, as this could make asthma worse. Her life span will not be inherently shorter. I do wonder about her being diagnosed at SUCH as young age (if the 1lbs is correct). It's possible that more than just asthma is going on. I would want the family to consider her a special needs cat and know she's going to have some vet bills. Thanks for all you do fostering kittens!

Adopting a cat with asthma: What care is needed and what to expect?

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