Cat panting and breathing shallowly

Hi,

Recently I've noticed my cat panting a lot and breathing shallowly, usually after activity but sometimes for a long time afterward (like an hour or two). I live in an extremely hot climate so that could be the problem but I'm wondering if it might be a more serious diagnosis, since cats don't usually pant. I thought it might be ashtma but according to various websites asthma is usually indicated by wheezing, which he doesn't do. He seems to be eating, drinking, playing, and using the bathroom as normal. I called the vet and she said it might be a lung infection and to give him antibiotics, but I'm not sure that's necessary and it's a pain to get him to the vet here. Any ideas?

Thanks!

I think you need to see the vet, just in case.

I agree about the vet visit. The issue could be either in the lungs or it could be a cardiac issue. Regardless, a vet visit is a must and something that is done sooner (asap) rather than later.

Increased rate and effort of breathing as you describe rings alarm bells for congestive heart failure with pleural effusion or chylothorax/pneumothorax. As the fluid or air pressure builds, they can have more and more difficulty breathing. If you see no nasal or ocular discharge, just a respiratory infection is unlikely.

CHF often is silent, as only an intermittent murmur or no murmur at all was asculted before during exams. It's also very common amongst cats.

I don't know how remotely located you are, but your cat would greatly benefit from a veterinary exam pronto.

Thanks for your input everyone. Trust me if it were a matter of a 10-minute car ride to the vet, we would already be there, but unfortunately where I live there are many complications. I'll do my best to get him there soon.

puck said:

 
Increased rate and effort of breathing as you describe rings alarm bells for congestive heart failure with pleural effusion or chylothorax/pneumothorax. As the fluid or air pressure builds, they can have more and more difficulty breathing. If you see no nasal or ocular discharge, just a respiratory infection is unlikely.

CHF often is silent, as only an intermittent murmur or no murmur at all was asculted before during exams. It's also very common amongst cats.

I don't know how remotely located you are, but your cat would greatly benefit from a veterinary exam pronto.

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Puck,

Many people here, whether its the person who started the thread or one of the many people who may be reading it are not medical experts and likely have no idea what "pleural effusion or chylothorax/pneumothora" is.  Could you state things in more common language so everyone knows what you are talking abut? :-)

I can describe chylothorax as we lost Minnie to it. It's a leak in the chest cavity and a thick fluid fills the chest cavity and crowds the lungs. They compensate by breathing from their lower belly... We could see her breathing going in and out right above her hips.. open mouth breathing was a sign of dangerous breathing levels..when her breathing got to 40 breaths a minute we were to take her in to get fluid drained from her chest... Not wait til open mouth breathing

puck said:

CHF often is silent, as only an intermittent murmur or no murmur at all was asculted before during exams. It's also very common amongst cats.

Click to expand...

This was my recent experience with Noodles and what came to mind reading your post. As a young cat Noodles would pant after intense play sessions and the vet detected a murmur. From my own reading it seems that her CHF was brought to the forefront when we were treating her for something else.

She basically started laying in the same spot a lot and then I noticed her labored breathing. At one point; right after the vet administered injectable meds I could hear the congestion in her breathing. The emergency vet diagnosed her with CHF and my vet agreed. With daily medication she is doing pretty well. Looking back; there were signs I did not know about but recognize now.

I do hope you can get your kitty to the vet. They are the only ones who can say for sure; but my experience says a trip is warranted.

Please keep us updated on how your kitty is doong!

Thanks for your replies once again everyone! Kitty went to the vet and got some antibiotics, which seem to be helping. It's also cooled down a bit here so I think that helps. Haven't seen him panting in a day or two (although now I think he has a hairball, ugh! One thing after another. At least this one's easily solved). Anyway I'm trying to do the best I can. I live in a developing country where life is hard for the people, much less the animals, but all I can do is help him out when I can. Thanks again for your input. 

that's great news! Best wishes to you and your kitty