Q: heavy breathing

Answered by used_to_be_red_kitty-cat on 6/1/2005, 8:58 am

A: heavy breathing

> I have a 4 year old himalayan male who has always been very
> healthy. The last couple of weeks, I think he's been
> breathing heavy. I can't see it when I look at his mouth,
> but when he's laying down, I can see it when I look at his
> body, and I never noticed it before. He is eating normally,
> but I do notice he's not as playful as he used to be. Am I
> just being paranoid, or could it be a problem, and, if it
> could be a problem, what kind of problem could it be?
> Thanks.
>

Whenever you notice anything out of the ordinary, there's a reason for it. Labored breathing can be a symptom of an extremely serious illness. The first that comes to mind is Congestive Heart Failure. Persians and Himalayans are genetically predisposed to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart problem in cats, which leads to Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). If there is to be any hope of treatment for HCM or CHF from other causes, immediate vet attention is required.

Another thing I have had too much experience with that causes breathing difficulty is cancer. In cats, it's very commonly found in the thymus (a gland located behind the sternum) or the mediastinum (the cavity between the lungs which contains the heart and trachea). Growths in these areas compress the lungs and sometimes the heart, making breathing difficult. Again, a prompt diagnosis will award you the most treatment options. While cancer in these areas don't tend to be curable, there are treatments that can help slow the progression of the cancer, or at least make your cat more comfortable.

There are also three viral illnesses that may be of concern - feline leukemia (FeLV), feline AIDS (FIV), and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). All are considered terminal illnesses.

FeLV and FIV have an easy, pretty reliable blood test that can be performed at the vet's office. If your kitty hasn't had them done, I recommend to do so. Some ailments associated with this two viruses are treatable.

FIP is the worst of the three, and unfortunately, there is no reliable test and no good treatment. However, if FIP is causing breathing problems in your cat, your vet should be able to draw some fluid out from his abdomen with a needle. This fluid accumulation occurs with the "wet" or effusive form of FIP (there is a dry form, too). Cats with wet FIP usually are suffocated to death, because the fluid in the abdomen compresses the lungs until they can no longer function. Please note, however, that FIP is pretty rare and is very unlikely in a cat this age, especially if he doesn't go outside.

Don't panic! I have noted the most severe possibilities first so that you see how urgent vet attention is. However, cats with short noses, like Himi's, do often suffer from breathing difficulties that are strictly related to the nose. Nose drops or antibiotics can help.

There is feline asthma, as well, which can be diagnosed with x-rays, blood tests, or a broncoalveolar lavage, also called a BAL (the air passages are flushed with fluid, and cells that are disloged are viewed under a microscope). Asthma is very treatable. Anti-inflammatories are usually given for a short period, and if symptoms return after they're discontinued, they can be given permanently. Bronchodilators can be prescribed for acute attacks.

There is pneumonia, too, which is usually curable if caught early.

I'm certain there are things I've left out. Best bet is to get your kitty to a vet immediately.