Laboured Breathing in Cats

When your cat exhibits labored breathing, it can be a sign of a life-threatening issue. According to Pawprints and Purrs Inc., cats are notorious for their ability to mask discomfort and pain. It is important that you watch your cat closely of she begins showing signs of discomfort.

  1. Breathing Difficulty

    • Labored breathing can affect a cat of any age and should always be taken seriously. The following symptoms could be a sign of a serious issue: sneezing, wheezing, panting, coughing and a decrease in physical activity. These are not normal behaviors in felines and are signs of an underlying problem.

    Possible Diagnoses

    • While labored breathing can be caused by many things, dyspnea or tachypnea are the most likely causes, according to the website PetMD. Dyspnea is a disease of the throat, nose, lungs, chest wall or stomach. It can be caused by a number of factors and is often life-threatening. Tachypnea is a condition that causes accelerated breathing in cats because of low blood-oxygen levels, tumors or bleeding in the lungs.

    Veterinary Care

    • Veterinary treatment will vary with the cause of the problem. For example, if your cat has a simple infection of the lungs, he might only require a dose of antibiotics. However, if your cat is suffering from a tumor, multiple surgeries might be required to remedy the problem.

    Other Symptoms

    • Along with labored breathing, a cat experiencing a serious condition might exhibit other unusual symptoms. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, a change in gum color, a loss of appetite or unusual bumps under the skin.

    Warning

    • Whenever your cat begins showing unusual behavior, you should consult your veterinarian immediately.