[Inhalation therapy in dogs and cats with chronic lower airway disease - a literature review].

Chronic respiratory diseases are prevalent medical conditions in dogs and cats requiring lifelong treatment. Mainstay of therapy for chronic inflammatory respiratory diseases are glucocorticoids. Concurrent treatment with bronchodilators may be necessary to control clinical signs sufficiently. Due to the successful use in people as well as subsequent reduction of adverse effects of long-term glucocorticoid therapy, inhalative therapy has become increasingly important in veterinary medicine as well. Primarily spacers or valved holding chambers, in combination with metered dose inhalers, are used in dogs and cats. The technical properties of these devices, as well as their use and maintenance will be described in the following article. Furthermore, the existing literature regarding efficacy of inhalative medications for therapy of chronic inflammatory airway diseases in dogs and cats will be summarized.