Heavy breathing in a cat causes and treatment. Heavy breathing in a cat - causes and what to do

Shortness of breath in a cat or dyspnea is a violation of the breathing process, expressed in a change in the frequency, depth and rhythm of respiratory movements. It can wear both physiological and pathological character. In the latter case, dyspnea is a symptom of serious diseases.

Due to some difference in the physiology of dogs and cats, for a dog, an open mouth with a protruding tongue during extreme heat- a completely natural phenomenon. Thus, it regulates the temperature (through the evaporation of saliva from the tongue, the body cools). After all, animals do not have sweat glands on their bodies.

For a cat, an open mouth is an unnatural position, and she rarely resorts to it. In most cases, this indicates that the animal has health problems. That is why, the owner should show concern in response to the appearance given symptom at his favorite. Let's take a closer look at what this phenomenon is.

As mentioned above, shortness of breath in a cat can be physiological or pathological.

In turn, pathological shortness of breath according to the type of respiratory disorders can be divided into the following types:

• bradypnea - slowed breathing with oppression of the functions of the respiratory center;
• tachypnea - rapid shallow breathing. This characteristic symptom fever, as well as anemia and other blood disorders.

In addition, there are several forms of shortness of breath, depending on which phase of breathing is disturbed:

• inspiratory dyspnea - the inspiratory phase is disturbed;
• expiratory shortness of breath - the expiratory phase is disturbed;
• mixed shortness of breath - both inhalation and exhalation are complicated.

Physiological dyspnea

Shortness of breath is almost always a sign oxygen starvation an organism that has arisen for various reasons.

Physiological dyspnea does not require treatment. It is the body's response to certain adverse factors or extreme conditions. After the termination of their action, the cat's breathing gradually becomes calm.

Causes

Physiological shortness of breath is typical for:

• severe stress;
• injury chest;
• overheating of the body.

stressful conditions

During stressful conditions there is an automatic release into the blood of the hormone adrenaline, which has the ability to stimulate cardiac activity. The body's need for oxygen increases dramatically. Replenishing this deficiency, the cat actively breathes. open mouth.

Chest injury

Shortness of breath with chest injury is a normal physiological response of the body to pain. With bruises of the chest or fracture of the ribs, deep breathing becomes impossible, because it can bring pain to the cat. In such situations, rapid shallow breathing through the mouth is observed.

Great physical activity

During fast run, hunting and games, there is a stimulation of cardiac activity. Active blood circulation automatically leads to accelerated burning oxygen. The animal stimulates gas exchange in the lungs, increasing the number of respiratory movements.

But if the cat has excess weight, then even a small load will be accompanied by pathological shortness of breath. After all, obesity in cats is a disease. A heart covered with a layer of fat is unable to cope even with moderate load. This situation needs to be corrected urgently.

Overheating of the body

During the heat, the cat overheats, which can cause "dog" breathing - rapid, with an open mouth and a dropped tongue. A cat, like a dog, does not have sweat glands on its body. The protruding tongue helps a little to cool her body further.

Symptoms of physiological shortness of breath

Physiological shortness of breath may be accompanied by the behavior of the animal, characteristic of a particular situation:

• active games and physical activity, overheating of the body - increased thirst;
• prolonged exposure to the sun - lethargy, an attempt to lie on a damp surface, hide in the shade;
• stress - fright, dilated pupils, anxiety, throwing.

How to help a cat

With physiological shortness of breath, the animal, first of all, is provided with complete rest, freed from stress, protected from bright sun, provide enough drink.

Pathological dyspnea

Pathological dyspnea is a sign of many quite dangerous ailments. If rapid breathing is not associated with external factors and appears regularly, there is no need to postpone a visit to the doctor.

Symptoms of pathological dyspnea

The main symptoms of pathological dyspnea are:

• difficulty in inhaling, exhaling, too frequent or too rare breathing;
• adoption by the animal of a pose of lack of air (the cat sits on bent legs with its head down and its mouth open);
• hoarse breathing;
• cyanosis of the mucous membranes of the lips, tongue, nose (evidence of hypoxia).

Main reasons

Pathological dyspnea in a cat various reasons. They depend on which system of the body suffers. Basically, respiratory failure can occur against the background of:

• diseases respiratory system;
• diseases of cardio-vascular system;
• diseases of the central nervous system;
• diseases of the hematopoietic system.

Respiratory system diseases

They can be divided into two types:

1. Diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Shortness of breath occurs when the airways are blocked by mucous secretions in sinusitis, rhinitis, and allergic reactions. The cause can also be polyps in the nose, foreign bodies stuck in the respiratory tract.
2. Diseases of the lower respiratory tract. severe forms pneumonia leads to filling of the alveolar spaces purulent exudate. In this case, shortness of breath is accompanied by severe intoxication and high fever. Asthma attacks are characterized by their periodicity and are caused by exposure to allergens - asthmatic pathogens with an allergic mood of the body.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

The most common disease of the cardiovascular system is hypertrophic. The walls of the myocardium thicken, while reducing the size of the heart chambers. In this regard, the blood flow is disturbed, which is the cause of the development of hypoxia. Due to the lack of symptoms, the disease is often diagnosed only on late stage life threatening.

Noting lethargy, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, increased drowsiness animal, an attentive owner should be alert. Of particular concern should be the fact that a normal-sized cat breathes through an open mouth after a run or game. This is a clear indication of poor heart function. In the near future, the animal must be shown to the veterinarian.

Diseases of the central nervous system

Shortness of breath can be a symptom of a brain tumor in a cat that affects respiratory center. Such pathologies are usually accompanied by impaired coordination, dizziness, and vomiting. For similar states characterized by slow breathing - bradypnea.

Disease of the hematopoietic system

Severe - critically lead to shortness of breath low maintenance hemoglobin in the blood. This disease is characterized by drowsiness, lethargy, cold extremities, metallic smell of saliva, muscle weakness.

Diagnosis of the disease

A pet with pathological shortness of breath must be shown to the doctor. The diseases of which it is a symptom are usually classified as severe and cannot be cured by home remedies.

After questioning the owner and auscultation (listening) to breathing and heart sounds in the animal, the doctor prescribes a complex diagnostic measures of which the main ones are chest X-ray, laboratory research blood, echocardiogram. If a brain pathology is suspected, an MRI or CT scan of the head should be done.

Methods of treatment

Since shortness of breath is not independent disease, as a symptom, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the cause of dyspnea. His tactics are selected by the doctor, based on the results of the diagnosis.

With actively progressing respiratory failure, pre-treatment should be carried out to improve general condition pet. It is placed in an oxygen chamber, and in severe cases start artificial ventilation.

Main remedial measures is as follows:

1. In case of pathologies of the upper or lower respiratory tract, they are prescribed according to indications: bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics a wide range actions. If the cause is in the presence of a foreign body in respiratory tract, then the animal is prepared for the operation to extract it. An asthma attack is stopped by special drugs (glucocorticosteroids, bronchodilators).
2. For pathologies of the cardiovascular system, treatment is prescribed based on the results of the examination. Cardiomyopathy involves the appointment of beta-blockers, blockers calcium channel, diuretics.
3. Pathologies of the central nervous system. If diagnosed - neoplastic disease brain, then the cat begins to prepare for the operation, and in the meantime, a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy is carried out.
4. Anemia should be treated with iron supplements, vitamin preparations. In severe cases, a complete blood transfusion is prescribed.

Since there can be many causes of respiratory problems in cats, preventive measures come down to maintaining good physical condition animal. In the presence of high body resistance, the cat is much less likely to get sick, it becomes more resilient. In addition, the cat is less likely to display any hereditary diseases.

It is necessary to ensure that the animal does not overheat in the summer, do not overload it beyond measure, do not overfeed. It is very good if a kitten is surrounded by a calm, friendly environment from childhood.

Shortness of breath in cats is a violation of the frequency and rhythm of respiratory movements. It is physiological and pathological. If visible reasons for shortness of breath no, the animal must be shown to the veterinarian.

The main forms of shortness of breath

Respiratory failure happens:

1. Inspiratory.
2. expiratory.
3. Mixed.

In the inspiratory form, inhalation is difficult, while in the expiratory form, exhalation is difficult. At mixed type both inhalation and exhalation are difficult.

Shortness of breath is a condition in which a cat is breathing heavily.

normal body reaction

Shortness of breath is not considered pathological if the pet:

• overheated;
• overtired;
• got injured;
• is in a stressful situation.

Overheating symptom

The cat's body is not equipped sweat glands. The only way escape from the heat is jerky "dog" breathing. Exhaling hot and filling the lungs with cooled air, the pet "cools down" from the inside.

Overwork symptom

Against the background of oversaturation of the body with oxygen, the central nervous system of the animal produces additional portions of hormones. In nature, this helps the feline to survive.

If the animal breathes frequently during minor physical exertion, this signals obesity. This often happens with and.

Getting injured

Strong pain syndrome promotes atrophy nerve endings. Shortness of breath is defensive reaction. It is difficult for the animal to make nasal respiratory movements. After an injury from a fall from a height, or as a result of a cat getting under a car, mixed shortness of breath occurs.

Stressful situation

If the situation seems dangerous to the animal, and, she sticks out her tongue and breathes quickly. The thyroid gland releases a lot of hormones. To ensure the reaction of the muscular and nervous systems, they must return to their place.

Rapid breathing promotes stimulation heart rate. This leads to an increase in the rate of blood circulation.

Shortness of breath in a cat can be the result of a stressful situation.

Pathological factors

Shortness of breath is observed in pathologies:

• respiratory tract;
• of cardio-vascular system;
• blood;
• nervous system.

Respiratory tract pathologies

The breathing of the animal is disturbed due to:

• the appearance of polyps;
• blockage of the nasal passages;
• asthma;
• disturbed gas exchange;
• the appearance of a hernia;
• accumulations of pus, fluid, or air in the lungs.

When breathing, wheezing appears, the shade of the mucous membranes becomes cyanotic. If pus accumulates in the lungs, the cat is very feverish, it becomes lethargic. Sometimes there are fainting.

Pathologies of the cardiovascular system

The appearance of shortness of breath is explained by:

• heart disease;
• heart helminthiasis;
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The most dangerous disease is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Her primary diagnosis may be difficult. The animal is inactive, sleeps a lot, avoids games. Many owners are confused initial manifestation breed-specific diseases.

Important. acute form disease provokes pulmonary edema. The death of the animal occurs almost instantly.

Blood diseases

Shortness of breath signals about. The main symptom is the appearance of a metallic smell from the mouth. The behavior of the animal changes. It weakens, sleeps a lot, freezes even in a well-heated room. Pet urine also has a specific "flavor".

Diseases of the nervous system

A provocateur of respiratory failure can be a brain injury. Sometimes we are talking about dysfunction of the respiratory muscles. In some animals, shortness of breath appears with oncology of the brain.

Shortness of breath can be observed with brain injuries.

Diagnosis

The veterinarian undertakes to collect an anamnesis, to examine the animal.

If the results of the specified diagnostic procedures are insufficient, the specialist sends the animal for additional examination.

How can you help

First, pre-treatment is prescribed, which includes oxygen treatment and providing the animal with rest. If the body has been dehydrated, the doctor prescribes drugs that help restore fluid balance.

Prolonged oxygen starvation, accompanying shortness of breath, adversely affects the state of the vascular and cardiac systems. Therefore, contacting a veterinarian should be immediate.

If shortness of breath in cats appears after the game, then, depending on the physical condition of the pet, the veterinarian may prescribe a special diet.

Help with respiratory failure

Therapy must be urgent. To improve oxygenation, the cat is placed in an oxygen chamber. From pleural cavity the accumulation of air or liquid is removed.

Depending on the root cause, the animal is prescribed:

1. Bronchodilators.
2. Glycosides.
3. Broad spectrum antibiotics.

If the pet's condition remains severe, the doctor resorts to tracheal intubation. After that, the animal is connected to the ventilator.

Help with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Treatment of this pathology is most effective when it is diagnosed at an early stage.

Treatment for the underlying cause of dyspnea should be directed by a veterinarian.

The veterinarian prescribes the application:

1. Beta blockers.
2. ACE inhibitor.
3. Calcium channel blockers.
4. Diuretics.

These medicines intended for the prevention of thromboembolism.

The use of these medicines should be regular. At the request of the veterinarian, the cat must be brought in for follow-up examinations.

Attention. Even if the animal's health improves, interrupt the prescribed therapeutic regimen it is forbidden.

Help with anemia

The animal is given supportive and symptomatic therapy.

Depending on the root cause, the cat is prescribed the use of:

1. antibiotic drugs.
2. Corticosteroids.
3. Iron preparations.

In severe anemia, a blood transfusion is prescribed. Before carrying out this manipulation, it is necessary to establish the blood type of the recipient and the donor. This will ensure their compatibility.

If the cause of the heavy rapid breathing pet is hot weather, you need to place it near the fan. Spraying from a spray bottle is allowed. Some owners wash their cats. But this procedure can be stressful. It is desirable to cut long-haired pets for the summer.

If the root cause was stress, you can give the animal sedative medications such as Kot Bayun and Stop Stress.

In this article I will talk about heavy breathing in cats and its causes. I will explain the signs that indicate a problem in the work of the respiratory system in a pet. I will explain how to provide first aid and transport the cat to the veterinary clinic if he is breathing heavily from his stomach. I will list the moments when rapid inhalation is a variant of the norm or pathology.

Healthy normal breathing of a cat is difficult to notice.

If it becomes clear that the pet is having difficulty breathing, he has to make an effort to inhale or exhale, the sound has changed when inhaling, which means that the respiratory system is disrupted.

In most cases, deterioration in breathing is associated with nasal congestion, for example, during a runny nose or foreign objects. Colds not uncommon and easily treatable.

Sometimes, during difficulty inhaling, the pet may experience pain. Outwardly, this is manifested by the following signs:

• cat looks excited and scared;
• the muzzle is stretched in an unusual grimace;
• pupils are dilated;
• tail close to body;
• mustache pressed;
• animal aggressively.

Abdominal breathing is a sign that the cat is not well. It looks as if the pet is trying to inhale air with its stomach and push it out when exhaling. This type of breathing is called abdominal.

In the normal state, the abdominal muscles should not be involved. When healthy in the sternum around the lungs - a vacuum. It allows the lungs to expand when inhaled.

In case of injury or serious illnesses, V chest cavity air can enter (pneumothorax occurs) or liquid (hydrothorax), which is why the lungs cannot expand normally and take in air when inhaled.

The compensatory functions of the body are connected: the diaphragm is included in the process of inhalation, so it is carried out by the "stomach".

This state extremely dangerous for the pet's life and requires urgent hospitalization to the veterinary clinic.

Shortness of breath in cats always indicates an unhealthy animal and requires heightened attention from the side of the owner.

The cause can be both chronic and acute conditions:

• diseases of the respiratory system;
• progressive anemia;
• recent operations under anesthesia;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Hard breath with an open mouth occurs due to oxygen starvation of the body. In this state, you can notice a posture that is not typical for the usual behavior of a cat. It looks like this: the pet spreads its front legs wide, stretches its head and neck (trying to straighten the trachea), opens its mouth and breathes with shortness of breath.

This condition indicates that oxygen from the inhaled air is not delivered to the organs and tissues of the body. As a result, hypoxia occurs - a severe, life-threatening condition.

Another cause of open-mouth breathing is a state of shock in a cat. This is the strongest circulatory disorder, also leading to hypoxia. This condition may occur due to trauma, allergic reaction and intoxication of the body.

Heavy breathing with tongue hanging out also indicates oxygen starvation. Sometimes such a reaction in a cat occurs after active physical activity. In this case, there may be a blue tongue. After a little rest, the cat returns to normal, and all symptoms disappear.

This condition indicates heart failure and requires specialist advice.

First aid

Signs that your cat needs emergency care:

• frequent shortness of breath with open mouth or protruding tongue, like a dog, abdominal inhalation;
• sounds uncharacteristic for a pet (wheezing);
• unusual unnatural posture;
• the pet lies and cannot get up;
• anxiety, fear, aggressiveness, the pet is lethargic;
• pallor and blueness of the mucous membranes(gums, lips, tongue).

If these symptoms are detected, it is urgent to deliver the cat to a veterinary clinic.

It is strictly forbidden to give human medications or do any procedure. This group products are completely unsuitable for use in animals and may cause irreparable harm to health.

The only way a person can help his pet before coming to the veterinarian is to create maximum access to fresh cool air and try to calm the animal.

Transportation to the veterinary clinic and treatment

When transporting to the veterinary clinic, it is necessary to ensure the flow as much as possible fresh air. You need to transport your pet in a carrier (if it does not cause stress). No need to hug and cuddle your pet.

With difficulty breathing, the process of inhalation and exhalation is given to the animal with difficulty, and constrained movements will only aggravate the situation.

In the veterinary clinic, the pet will be placed in an oxygen chamber or allowed to breathe oxygen using a special mask. Sometimes you need urgent surgical intervention And artificial ventilation lungs.

If the cause of the violation was the entry of a foreign body into the respiratory tract, the veterinarian will be able to carefully remove it.

In other cases, after the provision of the first medical care, the veterinarian will collect an anamnesis from the words of the owner of the cat and prescribe the necessary examination.

After complete examination the veterinarian will install true reason disease and prescribe treatment.

Respiratory failure - severe pathological condition, requiring comprehensive survey and prescribing appropriate treatment. Solving the problem yourself at home will not work without harm to the pet.

When fast breathing is normal

The frequency is total breaths in 1 minute.

The normal respiratory rate for a cat is 20-30 breaths per minute. In this case, slight deviations in both directions are possible. For example, a cat that inhales up to 35 times per minute, in the absence of other symptoms indicating illness, is absolutely healthy.

It is normal to increase inhalation after physical activity and during the heat. This is how the body tries to cool down.

When frightened or stressed, a cat's breathing can also become faster.

If the respiratory failure is not related to these causes and has the symptoms described above, a visit to the veterinarian should not be postponed.

In the article I talked about the violation respiratory function in cats. Listed the symptoms and possible reasons. Described cases in which changes in inhalation are normal and those when urgent veterinary care, including the signs are similar in young kittens.

From time to time, cats can catch colds and face quite serious respiratory (breathing) problems. If you notice your pet has breathing problems, it is very important to contact your veterinarian in a timely manner so that he finds out exact reason congestion of the respiratory tract and prescribed appropriate treatment. This article will tell you about how you can identify problems in the respiratory system of a cat and how to make it easier for her to breathe. Also here you can get acquainted with the most common causes of respiratory problems in cats.

Steps

Identification of problems with the upper respiratory tract

Pay attention to nasal discharge. Cats often have a runny nose. If you notice nasal discharge from your pet, then it may simply be mucous or mucopurulent. These discharges are often yellow or green in color.

• Some cats have allergic rhinitis there may be a clear, moist discharge from the nose, but these are sometimes difficult to notice because the cat regularly licks its nose.
• If you notice nasal discharge in a cat, try to find out if it affects one or both nostrils. Bilateral discharge (from both nostrils) is more indicative of infection or allergy, while unilateral discharge may be due to a foreign body or unilateral infectious inflammation in the nose.

1. Pay attention to whether the cat is sneezing. If a person has a stuffy nose, then he can calmly take a handkerchief and blow his nose. However, cats do not know how to do this, and the only way out for them in such a situation is sneezing.

   • If you notice your pet is sneezing regularly, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian to help figure out the cause of the problem. This could be an allergy or an infection, so the veterinarian will need to take a sample of mucous secretions for an accurate diagnosis.

2. Try to find out the cause of nasal congestion. In cats, stuffy nose is quite common due to rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages accompanied by mucus), infection (including a viral one, such as cat flu) and due to the inhalation of foreign bodies (for example, awn particles from spikelets of grass that hit the cat in the nose when she sniffed the grass).

   Identification of problems with the lower respiratory tract

   1. Measure the cat's respiratory rate. The respiratory rate is the number of breaths a cat takes in one minute. The normal breathing rate is 20-30 breaths per minute. Both the rate of breathing and its pattern can tell you if there is a problem.

      Notice your pet's heavy breathing. The normal respiratory movements of a cat are difficult to detect, so if you see that the cat has to strain to breathe, it may have problems with the respiratory system. With heavy breathing, the cat makes pronounced respiratory movements of the chest and abdomen in order to inhale or exhale air.

      • To understand how your cat breathes, you need to fix your eyes on one place of her chest (perhaps on the curl of wool on her chest) and follow how it moves up and down.
      • The abdominal muscles should not be involved in inspiration. If a cat's stomach expands and contracts when breathing, then this is not normal. If the cat's chest is clearly heaving and you see increased respiratory movements, then this is also not normal.

   2. Pay attention to the “oxygen starvation” posture. It is not uncommon for a cat with difficulty breathing to adopt an "oxygen starvation" position. She sits or lies down so that the elbows of her front paws do not touch the chest, and the head and neck are extended in such a way as to straighten the trachea.

      • In the “oxygen starvation” position, the cat may also open its mouth and breathe with shortness of breath.

   3. Look for signs of physical pain in your pet. A cat with difficulty breathing may experience physical pain. To understand if this is so, look at the expression on her face. She may look flustered, the corners of her mouth pulled back in a kind of grimace. Also to the signs pain may include the following:

      • dilated pupils;
      • flattened ears;
      • pressed mustache;
      • showing aggression when you approach;
      • tail pressed against the body.

   4. Pay attention to shortness of breath. In cats, shortness of breath after exercise is acceptable, as it helps the animal to cool the body. Shortness of breath in any other situation is considered an abnormal symptom. If you frequently notice shortness of breath in your cat at rest, contact your veterinarian as this bad symptom indicating breathing problems.

      • Cats can sometimes become short of breath when they are anxious or frightened, so try to take the environment into account when assessing your pet's condition.

   Caring for a cat with a stuffy nose

   1. Discuss antibiotic use with your veterinarian. If your cat is showing signs infectious disease(yellow or green mucous discharge from the nose), talk to your veterinarian about whether you need antibiotics in your situation.

      • If the veterinarian says that the infection is viral in nature, then antibiotics are useless in this case. Also, if your cat is given antibiotics, it may take 4-5 days for your cat to get better, during which time you will need to help her breathe in other ways.

   2. Use steam inhalation. The warm, moist steam thins the mucous secretions and makes it easier to expel when you sneeze. Obviously, you can't force a cat to keep its head over a bowl of boiling water, because if it gets nervous and knocks over the container, then you can scald yourself with it. Instead, fill an entire room with steam to make your pet's breathing easier. To do this, follow the steps below.

      • Bring the cat into the bathroom and lock the door. Turn shower on max. hot mode. Make sure that there is a reliable barrier between the cat and the boiling water.
      • Sit in a steam-filled room for 10 minutes. If you manage to spend 2-3 similar procedures a day, the cat will become somewhat easier to breathe.

   3. Keep your cat's nose clean. It is quite understandable that if a cat has a clogged and dirty nose, it needs to be cleaned. Wet a cotton ball tap water and then wipe the cat's nose with it. Wipe off any dried mucous secretions that can form a crust around the sick cat's nose.

      • If your cat has a runny nose, regularly rubbing his nose will help to provide the pet with greater comfort.

   4. Ask your veterinarian to prescribe a mucolytic for your cat. Sometimes the mucous secretions are so thick and sticky that they tightly clog the sinuses and make it impossible to breathe through the nose. In such a situation, the veterinarian may prescribe a mucolytic to the animal.

   Common Causes of Breathing Problems in Cats

   Take your cat to the vet for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Infections, pneumonia, heart disease, lung disease, tumors, and fluid in the pleural area (pleural effusion) can cause breathing problems. These conditions require the attention of a veterinarian.

   Know that difficulty breathing can be caused by pneumonia. Pneumonia is serious infection lungs. Toxins released by bacteria and viruses cause inflammation of the lungs and lead to the accumulation of fluid in them. In such a situation, oxygen metabolism deteriorates noticeably, which makes the cat breathe more intensively.

   1. • For asthma, many cats are given corticosteroids (either as intramuscular injections or in tablets). Steroids have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, so they quickly remove the inflammation that has arisen in the cat's airways. However, there are also salbutamol inhalers for cats, they are used if the animal is calm about the mask for the muzzle.
      • Bronchitis is also treated with either steroids or bronchodilators, which stimulate inelastic airways to open better.
   • Contact your veterinarian immediately if you have concerns about your pet's respiratory health.

Some of the owners of cats notice shortness of breath in their pets - a condition in which the animal breathes very quickly and shallowly, opening its mouth and sticking out its tongue. Shortness of breath is not a common condition in cats, although some cats experience this condition after brisk play or during times of stress, such as a car trip. Should you be concerned if your cat is panting intermittently?

Although shortness of breath may be typical for your cat, it can also be a sign of a very dangerous disease, so it cannot be ignored.

Causes of shortness of breath in cats. There are many reasons for shortness of breath. The most common of these are reactions to various changes e.g. restlessness, anxiety, high fever, etc. However, if your pet is panting too much or your pet is malnourished, it is important to identify the underlying cause. Here are some of those reasons:

Respiratory diseases. In the upper airways, shortness of breath can be caused by blocked nasal passages or polyps in the nose (pharynx). In the lower respiratory tract, this is a violation of gas exchange, pulmonary edema or asthma. Among the diseases of the chest can be called the accumulation of air, fluid or pus in the lungs, a hernia of the diaphragm.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system. Shortness of breath can be caused by heartworm or heart disease. In the lungs - pulmonary embolism.

Blood diseases. Blood disorders that cause shortness of breath in cats include anemia and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Diseases of the nervous system. Shortness of breath is caused by such diseases of the nervous system as: injuries and tumors of the brain, dysfunction of the respiratory muscles.

Other diseases. Some other medical conditions can also cause shortness of breath. For example, drug poisoning high pressure, fluid accumulation in abdominal cavity etc.

What should be done? If you notice your cat is hyperventilating, look for signs of distress such as coughing, difficulty breathing, bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes in the mouth, as well as fatigue, weight loss, suppressed appetite, excessive thirst, vomiting, or diarrhea. .

If your pet is choking as a result of increased physical activity, excitement, high temperature or fear, remove these pathogens and continue monitoring your pet. If shortness of breath continues, consult your veterinarian.

diagnostic activities. Your veterinarian may recommend testing to determine the cause of your cat's breathlessness.

Complete blood and urine test. An extended blood test biochemical profile and urinalysis can reveal such painful conditions like anemia, infections or diabetes, and to determine the acid-base status of the blood.

x-ray. Your veterinarian may order x-rays to make sure there are no foreign objects or tumors in your upper airways.

Ultrasound. It can also be carried out ultrasonography heart, chest and abdomen, which will help to assess the size of the organs and detect the presence or absence of fluid or other masses in them.

If, based on the results of the above diagnostic measures, the veterinarian finds it difficult to make an unambiguous diagnosis, additional studies may be prescribed.

Study endocrine system . Enhanced Level hormone produced thyroid gland(in some cases observed in cats older than 6 years of age).

Analysis for heartworms. The presence of heartworms in an animal blocks the heart vessels, which leads to respiratory failure.

In some cases, the veterinarian performs a procedure to drain air or fluid from the chest.

Treatment. Before making a diagnosis, the veterinarian will most likely prescribe a preliminary treatment. First of all, it is rest, no stress and excitement, as well as oxygen therapy.

If your pet is dehydrated after vomiting or diarrhoea, appropriate therapy is necessary to restore fluid balance in the body.

In case of severe anemia, a blood transfusion may be prescribed.

Antibiotics or antipyretics are prescribed for infections and fever.

Once the cause of your pet's problem is determined, the veterinarian will create a program to complex treatment. You should strictly adhere to all doctor's recommendations! Provide your pet with a cool place to rest, protect him from physical activity and overvoltage.