Cats may experience more severe respiratory problems when they get colds.If your cat has trouble breathing, you should schedule an appointment with your vet to determine what is causing the problem.If you know how to tell if your cat is having difficulty breathing, you may be able to find out more about respiratory problems in cats.
Step 1: There is a chance of nasal discharge.
Runny noses are common in cats.If your cat has a discharge around her nose, it may be mucus or muco-purulent.The mucus is often yellow or green.A cat with a clear, dripping discharge from their nostrils can be difficult to see if the cat licks it away.If you see a discharge from one nostril, look closely to see if it comes from the other.A bilateral discharge from both sides is more likely to be caused by an allergy or foreign body than a one side discharge.
Step 2: Pay attention to sneezes.
A blocked nose can be given a blow on a tissue.Cats can only sneeze to clear their nose.You will need to schedule an appointment with your vet if you notice that your cat sneezes a lot.Your vet will have to test your cat's mucus for allergies or an illness.
Step 3: Define the cause of the congestion.
A grass awn that shot up the nose when the cat sniffed at it is one of the reasons why cats suffer from nasal congestion.viral infections are the most common cause of congestion.The feline caliciviruses are included in these viruses.These infections cause swollen, red, and runny eyes, along with mouth ulcers and salivation.Keeping your cat's vaccinations up-to-date and keeping your cats away from sick cats will help protect you from these viruses.The recurrent viral illnesses in cats suppress your cats immune system so that secondary, opportunistic and very damaging bacteria invade the area and cause more severe disease, discharge, and lack of appetite.The more difficult it is to clear the disease, the more your kitty has cleared it.If any of the above symptoms occur, you should have your pet checked by a licensed vet.The mucus that builds up in your cat's nose can cause breathing difficulties.The mucus blocks the nasal passageways and makes it difficult to breathe.
Step 4: Take a look at your cat's respiratory rate.
The number of breaths a cat takes is called the respiratory rate.The cat's normal respiratory rate is between 20 to 30 breaths per minute.The rate and the number of breaths can be used to determine if the cat has a problem.A cat taking 32 breaths a minute, who is otherwise perfectly well, is not abnormal because there is a certain amount of wiggle room in the normal respiratory rate range.If you notice that your cat has a breathing rate of 35 to 40 breaths per minute, you should be concerned.
Step 5: Look for labored breathing.
If your cat seems to be working hard to breathe, it may be a problem.Labored breathing means that your cat must make exaggerated movements with her chest or abdomen in order to suck in or push out air.To determine if your cat is breathing normally, it is best to fix your gaze on one spot and watch as it moves slowly up and down.Her belly muscles should not be used to fill her chest.This is abnormal if her tummy expands as she breaths.If her chest "heaves" and makes exaggerated breathing movements, or her belly moves as she breathes, this is not normal.
Step 6: There is a position called the "air hunger" position.
The "air hunger" position is usually adopted by a cat with breathing difficulties.She rests with her head and neck extended as if to help her windpipe.A cat in this position can open her mouth and start to pant.
Step 7: Look for any signs of distress.
A cat with breathing difficulties may be distressed.Look at her face to see if she is distressed.She may look anxious, with the corners of her mouth drawn back in a grimace.dilated pupils ears flattened whiskers back acting aggressive when approached tail close to body are some other signs of distress.
Step 8: If your cat is panting, pay attention.
Cats pant after exercising in order to cool themselves down, but panting at rest is not normal for a cat.If your cat pants often when resting, you should seek veterinary advice.Cats pant when they are anxious or frightened, so consider your cat's environment.
Step 9: Talk to your vet if you want to put your cat on antibiotics.
If your cat has yellow or green mucus from its nose, you should talk to your vet about whether or not it's time for antibiotics.Antibiotics may not help if the vet suspects the infection is viral.If antibiotics are prescribed, it may take four to five days before the infection improves, so you can help to ease your cat's breathing in other ways.
Step 10: Use steam therapy.
It is easier to sneeze out when mucus is loosened by the warm, moist vapor of steam.You can't put a cat's head over a bowl of boiling water because if she panics and knocks the bowl you will both be in danger.To clear up your cat's congestion, use a steamy room.Take the cat to the bathroom and close the door.The shower screen should be drawn so that there is a barrier between the cat and the hot water.Take 10 minutes at a time.If you can do this two to three times a day, your cat should be able to breathe easier.
Step 11: Make sure your cat's nose is clean.
If the cat's nose is dirty or stuffed up, you should clean it.You can wash your cat's nose with a cotton ball under the faucet.Remove any dried mucus from your cat's nose.It is possible to make your cat more comfortable by wiping the nose regularly.
Step 12: Ask your vet to prescribe a drug.
It is impossible for the cat to breathe through her nose because the mucus is thick and tacky."Mucolytic" may be prescribed by your vet in cases like this.Bisolvin is a drug that helps mucus to liquefy.Bisolvin has an active ingredient called bromhexine.It will be easier for your cat to sneeze when the mucus is thin.Bisolvin can be mixed in food once or twice a day.The cat's dose is determined by its body weight.This means a "generous pinch" from the food, once or twice a day.
Step 13: You should bring your cat to the vet.
Infections, lung disease, tumors, and fluid around the lungs are some of the chest problems.The conditions need to be treated by a vet.Delaying your cat's visit to the vet may only make her condition worse, so don't try home remedies if you think she has chest congestion.
Step 14: It is possible that breathing difficulties are caused by pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a serious lung disease.Inflammation in the lungs can be caused by toxoids frombacteria and viruses.Your cat will work harder to breathe when the oxygen exchange in his lungs slows down.Antibiotics are used to treat pneumonia.IV fluids or an oxygen tent can be used if your cat is very sick.
Step 15: It is possible that heart disease is a cause.
The heart is inefficient at pumping blood.fluid can leak out of the blood vessels and into lung tissue if there is a shift in blood pressure in the lungs.This reduces the ability of the lungs to exchange oxygen, which can cause your cat to become breathless.If heart disease is to blame for your cat's breathing difficulties, your vet will try to determine the type of Heart Disease and prescribe the right medication.Oxygen therapy is important for stabilizing cats before any type of medicine or other treatments can be used.
Step 16: Lung disease can cause breathing problems.
Asthma is a lung disease in which the air in and out of the lungs is hard to move.This condition is similar to bronchitis, a lung disease in which the airways are stiff and the walls are thick.Cats may be affected by asthma.Many cats are prescribed corticosteroids for asthma, either by a depot inject or oral tablet form.Steroids reduce inflammation in your cat's airway.If the cat tolerates the face mask, salbutamol can be used.Steroids or a bronchodilator is a drug that stimulates the airway to open up.
Step 17: Do lungworms cause your cat's breathing problems?
Lungworms can interfere with your cat's breathing and may go undetected for a long time.Respiratory problems can be caused by lungworm infections.Anti-parasite drugs can be used to treat lungworms.
Step 18: Realize that tumors can cause breathing difficulties.
Lung tumors in the chest can affect the amount of lung tissue.Your cat may become breathless if lung tissue availability is decreased.Lungs and major blood vessels are affected by tumors.The outlook for a cat with lung tumors is not good.Talk to your doctor about your options.
Step 19: Breathing difficulties can be caused by pleural effusion.
There are fluids around the lungs.If your cat has a cyst in her chest that is leaking fluid, it's possible that this can happen.This fluid can put pressure on your cat's lungs and cause them to collapse.Your cat feels short of breath because they cannot expand fully.If your cat is having a hard time breathing, the vet may drain the fluid using a special needle.The lungs can re-inflate if the fluid is removed.Unless the underlying problem is fixed, the fluid will return.