Heavy Breathing

Hi I was just wondering if anyone good help

My cat is about 12 years old and I just started to notice that his breathing as been faster and heavier.  He did have a bit of a cough about a week ago but he took antibiotics and it seems to have cleared up. He still purrs when people pet him and is still eating and drinking.  The breathing is heavier closer to the head so I'm guessing the chest? Any idea what it could be?

Has he been for a thorough senior exam at the vet, including an EKG, lab work, and blood pressure monitoring? Does he have any nasal or eye discharge? I'd want to rule out a cardiac issue if it was my kitty. Labored breathing and coughing without any other URI symptoms might possibly indicate something wrong with his heart, but only a vet can determine what the problem is.
 

No nasal or eye discharge that I can see and he had the cough last year too but the vet just said it was a bit of a cold and anti biotics seemed to clear it up. Hasnt had any other coughing since. He also seems to be pretty comfortable and active too! Still goes out side and walks around
 

Is it very hot where you live? Is your kitty overweight at all?

I would still recommend a complete work up at the vet if that hasn't been done. Whenever there's a change in breathing in an older cat, it's worth investigating. http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/healthinfo/dyspnea.cfm
 

Yes right now it is really hot! One of the hottest weeks so far!  Would that have an affect on him ??
 

Oh and he sneezes occasionally, not very often maybe 3 times a day ?