It all started last July when I noticed my cat was breathing very fast. Her respiratory count was up to 82. There were no other symptoms except for sleeping more than usual. She was eating, drinking, and using the litter box right on schedule.
I made an appointment with my vet for the next morning (Monday). Blood test showed borderline anemia. X- rays showed slight congestion in one lung. Heart was fine. Vet prescribed antibiotics although he thought it would clear up on its own. No temperature. No idea what caused the rapid breathing.
Five days into antibiotics her breathing rate dropped back to 20. She slept a lot less and normal. I had changed the litter to low dust. Closed all windows and kept A/C on throughout the day thinking possible pollen allergies (before I had opened up house early morning for fresh air before turning on A/C). Had a 10 day check-up. All normal.
It happened again in late August, early October, late November (started to keep notes what happened that day), and now March. During these times her respiratory didn't go over 60. I decided to treat at home with colloidal silver and Pet Alive asthma relief pills. Respiratory rate dropped back to normal within 3 days each episode. My vet was notified and he agreed to be on stand-by if I decided to come in at any time.
I went back to my notes and tried to find the common denominator on these days Mosi's rapid breathing started. It helped that I went to the calender and personal journal. Common denominator turned out to be that I fried bacon on these days. Yup, bacon. It is a southern thang.....pinto beans (with bacon), fried tators (with bacon), and cornbread. Yes, I write down daily menus.
Bacon has sodium nitrates as a preservative. It is in cured meats and some vegetables. It is even in some cat foods. If your cat is sensitive to this known toxin it can cause skin rash or hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, especially around the mouth or eyes, or swelling in the throat. Rapid heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain or cyanosis, a bluish tinge to the extremities or face that indicates a lack of oxygen, can also occur. Read more about it on google......especially how it affects the blood and oxygen. I've read so many stories about rapid breathing in cats with no known cause for months!!
Finally figured it out and my vet agrees. I only shared my story in case it may help others.
I made an appointment with my vet for the next morning (Monday). Blood test showed borderline anemia. X- rays showed slight congestion in one lung. Heart was fine. Vet prescribed antibiotics although he thought it would clear up on its own. No temperature. No idea what caused the rapid breathing.
Five days into antibiotics her breathing rate dropped back to 20. She slept a lot less and normal. I had changed the litter to low dust. Closed all windows and kept A/C on throughout the day thinking possible pollen allergies (before I had opened up house early morning for fresh air before turning on A/C). Had a 10 day check-up. All normal.
It happened again in late August, early October, late November (started to keep notes what happened that day), and now March. During these times her respiratory didn't go over 60. I decided to treat at home with colloidal silver and Pet Alive asthma relief pills. Respiratory rate dropped back to normal within 3 days each episode. My vet was notified and he agreed to be on stand-by if I decided to come in at any time.
I went back to my notes and tried to find the common denominator on these days Mosi's rapid breathing started. It helped that I went to the calender and personal journal. Common denominator turned out to be that I fried bacon on these days. Yup, bacon. It is a southern thang.....pinto beans (with bacon), fried tators (with bacon), and cornbread. Yes, I write down daily menus.
Bacon has sodium nitrates as a preservative. It is in cured meats and some vegetables. It is even in some cat foods. If your cat is sensitive to this known toxin it can cause skin rash or hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, especially around the mouth or eyes, or swelling in the throat. Rapid heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain or cyanosis, a bluish tinge to the extremities or face that indicates a lack of oxygen, can also occur. Read more about it on google......especially how it affects the blood and oxygen. I've read so many stories about rapid breathing in cats with no known cause for months!!
Finally figured it out and my vet agrees. I only shared my story in case it may help others.
