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Asthma In A Cat

by Holisticpetvet - January 6, 2026 View Case Report

Kiri is an 1.5 year old FS DMH who has a history of asthma. She is a staff pet. Blood work for spay Feb 2025 was normal. Presented in may for increased frequency of coughing, was happening once a week then once every few days for the past month. Radiographs showed mild bronchitis, heart normal. Started on prednisolone and fluticasone inhaler with salbutamol for emergency. Weaned off pred and maintained on fluticasone 125 mg BID and was doing well.

Diet: Kibble and canned food from clinic.

On exam:
Tongue was dark pink
Pulse superficial and bounding

Young cat with mild asthma requiring fluticasone
No chronic Kidney deficiency signs
No Cold signs
No weakness, no chronic deficiency pulses

TCVM Pattern Diagnosis
1. Wind–Heat Affecting the Lung

I started her on San Ren Tang and the owner stopped the inhaler. Unfortunately she is still coughing daily and does not seem improved on just the San Ren Tang.

Just wondering what direction to go with the herbs and also should I encourage the owner to also try an unprocessed diet as well?

Thank you in advance!

by naturevet

January 25, 2026

Hi there!

I definitely try cats on unprocessed foods, since Dampness is so common a diagnosis with them, though you didn't see any benefits from the SRT.

The excessive pulse and strong tongue color suggests a more Yang presentation. The tongue suggests Stasis or a Wood type of issue. The onset and now the worsening are six months apart or so, which is a common finding in Shao Yang disharmony. Shao Yang disharmony is basically Wood Yang pathology, so it fits the bill that way.

Given all that, I would wonder about Xiao Chai Hu Tang next, as it is the treatment for Shao Yang disharmony. It also makes sense from a western point of view, being a powerful immune system modulator. In humans with lung issues, it is pretty much my top pick.

Hopefully, it helps you out. Real food diets help Shao Yang animals, too

Steve

by Holisticpetvet

March 10, 2026

Thank you so much for your help!

by Holisticpetvet

March 19, 2026

Patient is much better and coughing less on herbal formula. Still continuing inhaler.

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