FELINE BRONCHIAL DISEASE - DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPEUTICS

Evaluation, diagnostic, and therapeutic considerations of the cat with bronchopulmonary disease are presented. Feline bronchopulmonary disea se represents a group of poorly understood airway, and possibly inters titial or alveolar space disorders. The management of these cats typic ally includes reversal and then prevention of excessive bronchoconstri ction, and suppression of ongoing airway inflammation. Other considera tions include avoidance of ''trigger situations,'' contact with cats w ith known respiratory infections, and the development of obesity, a pr oblem in some patients requiring long-term corticosteroid therapy.