Sick Older Cat Is Now Breathing Hard

I'm hoping someone can give me an idea of what I should do next. I have never had to deal with this kind of thing before.

My cat Niko is 15 years old and has been having health problems and losing weight for over a year. We've been to the vet, but still don't know exactly what's going on with her. This cat will not tolerate handling from anyone except me, and will even bite me when she's upset enough (like when we're at the vet's). She had to be sedated so the vet could examine her last time. We didn't have a lot of tests done because she was so frail, I didn't want to put her through too much, besides which I don't have much money.  We did get bloodwork and a urinalysis done, and were prescribed antibiotics for a bladder infection (which has cleared up).  The vet also tentatively diagnosed eosinophilic enteritis and prescribed steroids, but she can't keep it down no matter what we try. So, I gave up on the medication because it only made her worse off. I have been trying every trick in book to tempt her to eat, and syringe feeding Clinicare liquid diet to get more food into her. Still, she's been gradually declining and I doubt she will live much longer.

At this point I'm afraid if they put her under again it will kill her, so I don't intend to take her back to the vet unless there is definitely something that will help without stressing her too much, or I have to have her put down. The problem is I'm not sure how to know when that's really necessary.

So, finally getting to the point of this post - this week I've noticed her breathing heavily at times, and even breathing audibly for short periods of time. I'm worried that if she's really having trouble breathing she may be suffering a lot. Has anyone had this experience? What might be causing this new symptom, and is there any way to help her? If I can't help her, does this mean I need to have her put down?

Please don't just tell me "go to the vet", I'm looking for specifics. I will also talk to our vet and see what she recommends, but I'd like advice from people who have been there if possible.

The first thing that comes to my mind is congestive heart failure, which definitely causes breathing difficulties. Our cat had heart problems - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - and went into heart failure a couple of times. He was treated with diuretics, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, but the last bout was too severe and we had to have him put down March 1, two months shy of his 14th birthday.

What position is she in when she's breathing heavily? Sort of hunched down with her chest resting on the floor? Is she coughing at all? Are her tongue and gums pink, or pale/bluish?

If it's congestive heart failure, it's not something you can treat yourself, obviously.

I am so sorry you and your cat are going through this difficult time. The fact you cat has lived for fifteen years is a wonderful thing and a testimony to the good care and home provided by you.

It is impossible for anyone to know what is wrong with your cat. Older animals get health problems just like people and they need tests to diagnose the problem. Having said that, I understand lack of money and also concern for putting a at of this age and condition through anything. What comes to my mind is heart or lung problems, which could cause the labored breathing. Cats are masters at hiding distress and pain too. I think your best plan is to discuss this breathing problem with your vet. I am sure the vet might offer suggestions without treatment if he doesn't see the cat. Ultimately you know your cat better than anyone and it sounds like you are getting close to having to make a decision what is best for you beloved pet.

As far as getting the cat to eat, sometimes the vet might prescribe an appetite stimulant or a probiotic like Forti Flora to sprinkle on top of the food. This is a difficult place to be with your baby, but we who love our cats have all been in your position and we are here to offer you support.

Thank you both for your replies.

To answer jcat's questions:

What position is she in when she's breathing heavily? Sort of hunched down with her chest resting on the floor?

Yes, either that or sitting up.

Is she coughing at all?

She does cough a bit, especially after eating dry food or crunchy treats.

Are her tongue and gums pink, or pale/bluish?

I just checked, her gums look much paler than my other two cats. Not blue, just pale pink.

You're going to have to take her, as only a vet can make a diagnosis. Those are the same symptoms Jamie had when he had heart failure. for her.

Agree with Jcat - please get your cat to a vet ASAP. I had a cat four years ago with the exact same thing - it was heart failure. He had started with some coughing weeks before this episode and the vets thought it was an URI and put him on antibiotics. The heaving breathing in my cat turned to panting and the gums were turning from pink to pale to blue. I was not home that day and by the time I got home he was in extreme distress. Rushed to the EVet. Do not wait, please. Mega vibes for your kitty

Okay. Thanks for the vibes.

Jcat & Feralvr, what did they do for your cats? What should I expect?

With Jamie, the HCM was diagnosed long before he actually had heart failure, and he was on meds for a few years, the ones listed above after his first bout. When he went into heart failure, he was given diuretic shots, followed up by the pills at home. In very bad cases, the vet will sometimes drain the fluid off the lungs. Our vets didn't do that, because I took Jamie in at the first sign of trouble and he was extremely difficult to deal with.
There's a new thread about heart problems and people's experiences.

Myself, as private person, I think it is time now.

Niko has the previous problems, which you barely manage to held bay. Or rather, he is going downhill small step by small step. He isnt younger.

And now this new severe problem. You perhaps succeed to curb it together with the vet. Or not.

I know this is a terrible situation. If you had a clear cut course to follow, some miracle cure. But you dont have. Your only hope is just another week by another week.

Im a believer of not waiting too long, as I could follow a couple of good friends, who both did fough, did waited, too long.  It was not pretty. Not for owners and not for the cats.

I do hope I myself will have the courage when it become time for my residents. Who although both in excellent health, ARE senior citizens.

Listen if someone has  advices for some treatment or cure. Talk it over with your vet. 

But be prepared for the last decision, last help to Niko, if necessary.

Be brave when you need to be brave.

Warm hugs!

/Stefan Z.

momto3cats said:

Okay. Thanks for the vibes.


Jcat & Feralvr, what did they do for your cats? What should I expect?

Click to expand...

Very hard to say but there was nothing they could do for him at the Evet. He was barely alive when we got there. I had no idea back then that an occasional "cough" could mean heart issues. Now, this is not to say your cat has HCM - but I would not wait to find out is all I am saying.

My Chloe had similar symptoms.  Started with eating less and less, and finally not eating at all, and being very lethargic.  I never noticed her having trouble breathing, but when I took her to the vet she starting having respiratory distress there and they had to give her oxygen. They took an xray and her chest had lots of fluid in it.  They said it could be from congestive heart failure or maybe lymphoma.    Either way, just to get her out of distress, they would have had to do an ultrasound and tap her chest to drain the fluid.  Then, depending on the cause, she would either have to be on meds the rest of her life and possibly keep having to have the fluid drained, or have chemo, and they said it may only give her a few months.  Between the xray, oxygen, and tests they had already run, and then if they did the ultrasound and drained her chest, I was going to have spent a couple thousand dollars just to get her comfortable and not even have really treated her for anything yet.  I really didn't have the funds, and the vet said she thought Chloe was suffering, so I chose to have her put down.  She was about 14 or so.  If her prognosis had been better, I would have found the money somehow and done whatever it took. But the situation being what it was,  and even though it broke my heart,  I think I did the best thing for Chloe.   That said, I've heard of many cats with heart failure doing well on meds and having many more good years.

Just to update - Niko has gotten worse over the past couple of days, but she now has meds that help some. I'm just taking things one day at a time. Please pray or send good thoughts/vibes for us.

Hang in there and sending you strength no matter what happens and positive energy Niko gets better x

Sending good vibes niko's way.

I, too, send good vibes and prayers.  I hate to say it but I agree with those who suggest heart problems.  What kind of meds is he on?  

Hi momto3 cats

I believe years ago you were one of the people giving me advice on Annie, a feral I took in (she's a semi-lap cat now).

Concerning Niko I wanted to tell you about my cat, Ernie, who just passed.

Bear with me because there may be some info that is helpful to Niko.

Ernie too was losing weight.  The reason was unknown by the vet.  Not diabetic.  Kidneys not too bad.

Finally she checked Hyperthyroidism.  Not that either or so we thought.  I had it checked again next checkup & still no reason for the weight loss.  He was a big boy... went from 22lbs to 16lbs.

Finally, my wife told me in humans there is another test called "free T3" I think.  Sometimes the basic test doesn't show hyperthyroid but this will.  The vet did this one, at our request, and sure enough he had been hyperthyroid all this time.  We began treating him and I thought he would get better but 6 months ago I started hearing odd breathing sounds & coughing that would come & go.  He also was walking low on his front feet.  I told the vet when I took him in but she thought he had caught "cat herpes" because we had taken in a feral who had a teary eye.  She gave antibiotics.  She thought the walking low on the front feet was due to his rear leg arthritis.  The coughing went away but the odd breathing sounds & low walking continued off & on.  I called her about this.  She said just keep an eye on him.

March 15th he was back in for a checkup.  I told her again about the breathing.  She listened to his lungs an said they were clear.  This time she said maybe it's allergies.  She listened to his heart & said there was just a slight heart murmur... nothing to worry about yet.  His low walking she still said was his arthritis.

A week later, March 23rd, I woke up to Ernie walking in a slow circle & collapsing.  He peed where he lay.  I picked him up and I could hear horrible wet breathing.  We took him to the emergency hospital but he was too far gone.  They tried a lasic shot & oxygen & would drain fluid out if he became stable.  After 20 minutes they called us in to say goodbye as they felt he was going and nothing could be done.  He was gasping like a fish out of water.  He heard me, tilted his head up & pulled off the oxygen mask with his paw.  I told him he was a good boy & to relax.  I told the doctor if he couldn't save him to let him go.  He did.

We had no idea he had such serious problems mostly due to our vet who we trusted but I'm convinced now is an idiot.

Now that I know more about hyperthyroid & congestive heart failure any vet should have diagnosed these things.

The breathing, coughing & walking low on the front feet was the heart.  The weight & hair loss was the hyperthyroid.  The undiagnosed hyperthyroid for years is what damaged his heart most likely.  He probably could have had 4 or 5 more years.  He still had an excellent appetite & sought me out for petting & company.

I guess I'm writing this, to vent about Ernie, but also to tell you if it hasn't already been diagnosed that Niko could be hyperthyroid and they may need that secondary test to find out.  Niko may also have congestive heart failure.  There are things that can be done depending how bad it is and how long it has gone on.  Ernie was 14 and struggled hard to live at the end which made it the most horrible thing I've ever seen.  Had he been older or weaker he might have gone quickly in his sleep.

Anyway if you haven't checked these things out with Niko I would do it and right away.  At the very least they may be able to do things to make him more comfortable if not even extend his life.  I hope he can get better for now, and that when the time does come it is peaceful and not like what Ernie had to endure.

I wish I had been able to know more when Ernie began having problems.  He was my favorite.

The vet was always steering us down the wrong road with her talk of bad legs, herpes, allergies, arthritis, etc.

We are checking out a new vet today with another of our cats.  I will always question vets from now on no matter

how sure they sound.  The vets may come to hate me, but maybe my pets will get a longer, better life.

Thanks, Jamie

Please know I'll pray for Niko, it's awful not knowing exactly what is going on. I'm so very sorry you and Niko are going through this. I'll be sending you vibes, good luck!

My heart goes out to you and this must be extremely distressing for you both. Mega, mega, mega vibes coming to NIko. Please let us know how he is doing.

Hi everyone,

Niko did improve quite a bit for a few weeks, thankfully. We had a good month and a half where she was herself again.  In the past few days she's declined rapidly and at this point she is clearly dying, but at least she doesn't seem to be suffering now. She is lying next to me as I type this. Please pray for an easy, peaceful death for her, if you're willing.
 

I'm sorry to hear it. that she passes easily. We wanted Jamie to pass at home, but ended up taking him to the vet to be euthanized when he was obviously in distress (labored breathing, blue tongue). It's rough to lose them.