Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Feline asthma is a condition very similar to the respiratory disease affecting humans. It is causing, among other things, a constriction of the bronchial airways, an increase of mucus production and damage to, or erosion of, the epithelial membrane. The symptoms occur intermittently and do, in most cases, evolve during a long period of time.

The aim of this essay was to investigate whether there are any nursing routines for feline patients with asthma in animal clinics and animal hospitals in Sweden, and if so, to compare similarities and differences. A literary study of research material also led to a suggestion of how to form a nursing routine for this type of patient.

Currently the instructions about environmental changes, how to medicate and handle the illness at home on a daily basis, are often conveyed by the veterinarian. The results from the conducted survey show, among other things, that personnel in Swedish clinics/animal hospitals consider veterinarians as well as licensed, or unlicensed, veterinary nurses suited for this assignment.

In the clinic or animal hospital it is important to handle this patient with the least amount of stress possible as this restraints the respiratory function further. Additionally, this includes a stress free environment away from dogs and other stressors. Easy access to oxygen delivery is also desirable.

In human health care, patient education is well established to increase compliance. A 30 % increase of knowledge about the disease in care takers to children with asthma, led to a decrease of triggering factors with 25 % (Jones et al., 2001).

In animal health care, feline ethology and cognition, are important areas to cover in the owner’s educational program as it, feasibly, should increase treatment compliance.

Learning techniques should also be included when instructing the cat owner how to administer the pharmaceuticals. Since this often is a lifelong treatment it is of great importance that the cat finds the medical treatment acceptable and without any great amount of stress. This to increase treatment compliance and to avoid stress related hyperglycemia which commonly occurs in situations where the cat is uncomfortable (Rand et al., 2002).

The Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association for humans recommends avoidance to strong scents, smoke and aerosols that can trigger an asthma attack. Regular cleaning is also important and the use of strong scented detergents should be avoided.

Environmental changes to apply for the feline patient could be, besides regular cleaning, to change the cat litter to a non-scented, dust-free litter, to wash cat beds and to vacuum clean resting sites on a regular basis. It is also of importance to avoid spray, perfumes and cigarette smoke in the presence of the cat.

Feasibly, if taking the parameters above in consideration when treating and handling this type of patient, including its owner, it will lead to a higher treatment compliance as well as owner proficiency regarding the condition. For animal health care personnel, these recommendations might lead to an overall higher quality in nursing routines for feline patients with asthma.