Allergic bronchoconstriction and its drug-induced reversal in anesthetized, ovalbumin-sensitized cats.

Cats, once thought to possess little immunological responsiveness, have recently been shown to manifest a wide range of immunologic reactions. Sensitization of cats with ovalbumin rendered the animals capable, after a latency period of 40 to 60 days, of anaphylactic shock upon intravenous challenge. Physiologically the response is characterized by bronchoconstriction as evidenced by an increase in airways resistance. This response was ameliorated by intravenous administration of either aminophylline or isoproterenol. Other reactions elicited upon challenge were dyspnea, cyanosis, and in some instances death. The parameters of the allergic response corresponded with those reported in previous studies of other experimental models of allergic bronchoconstriction.