Cause for concern or not? (respiration rate)

ziggy'smom

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I'm fostering three 7-week olds and I'm a little concerned about one of them but I'm not sure if I should be or if I'm just being a tad hysterical. This little guy does not appear to have any health issues. He eats well, pees and poops just fine and plays a bit. He's not the most active kitten but that is probably just his personality. What does concern me though is that he seems to be breathing pretty fast. I can see his belly move up and down pretty noticeably and his respiration rate is 44-46 breaths per minute. According to what I've read the normal respiration rate for a cat is 24-42 breaths per minute and this kitten's rate is just slightly higher and not by a significant amount. I still think his breathing looks to be too fast though. 

What do other people think? It is cause for concern or is his breathing just on the faster end of normal? I'm going through some heart related problems with my dog right now and it has affected her breathing (made her breathe faster) so I'm sure that is making me a bit hyper sensitive to the issue. I even took my other dog into the vet a couple of weeks ago because I thought his breathing was abnormal which it wasn't. I may just be looking to closely at this kitten. I don't want to spend $50 to take him to the vet just because I'm hysterical so I'd really like some input from other people.
 

ilovemia

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I understand that you might be fearful from what has happened to your dog but I really think he's ok if he is normal in every other way. I know that when I got  my kitten at 6 weeks old he breathed quite heavily compared to my cat. I noticed when they slept together. I believe kittens, having smaller lungs, breathe more rapidly than cats. Give your vet a call and see if that is so instead of going in. It could save you dollars and worry. 
 

missymotus

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He could have a minor infection, if it's quite different to the others i'd vet him. Noticeable tummy breathing can be a sign of heart issues, as can being a quiet kitten. 
 
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becbec709

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Yeah I was going to say if you notice any abdominal effort with the respirations, that would be concerning.  Also if his gums looks pale or even blue, that is very concerning.  Otherwise, keep an eye on it and if you doubt anything, take him in.  Do you foster through a rescue?  Do they maybe have a vet they work with that can take a look at him for no charge?
 
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ziggy'smom

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It's probably nothing. His gums and capillary refill time is fine. Everything else is normal. He is on the mellow side but he's also a very nervous little guy (it took five days before he stopped hiding and hissing at me while his brother and sister came around in two days and a few hours respectively). I'm going to watch him a little longer and see what happens. If I see any other signs I'll take him in.

Unfortunately we're a very small rescue and most of the cost comes out of my or my partner's pocket. We get few donations. The vet we use do give us some discounts but it still adds up. Hopefully we're going to start working with another vet soon though who work with several other rescues and have special rescue rates.
 
 
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