Kitten breathing like he is panting

I know it can get worse but he isnt in pain and seeing vet regularly and he is playing.

Actually im so surprised the vet said his body will get used to it!
If anything it will get worse and can be life threatening.
Please read through the threads where ive helped others, it makes it easier to understand.
This baby has sure had a rough start!

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Ace is doing really well. He is running and playing with his mam and the dog lol. He has a check up tomorrow at vet tomorrow.

catwoman707 said:

Well, I finally got my pc back today, I feel like I've missed so much, how are things going?
Where did the mention of a flat chest come from, the vet? What did he say?

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Yes the vet said his ribcage is deformed but a lot of cats have them and they are usually found on xrays for something else. They can have normal lives

Sounds like the little guy is doing great! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Ace has a flat chest, he's lost a little weight and his resps are still high but he is playing, feeding and climbing. Prognosis is probs not good but we will give him the best life we can

I'm asking catwoman707 to explain how to approach flat-chested syndrome to you. The sooner it is treated the better!

How are Ace's lungs? Are they clear? If his respiration is up and he's lost weight, you might want to get him checked. He may need more antibiotics. If you pick up some Lysine, it will help to strengthen his immune system.

Is he eating well? The vet can give you Nutrical paste and high calorie A/D food to help him out.

I hope he hangs in there!

sarthur2 said:

I'm asking catwoman707 to explain how to approach flat-chested syndrome to you. The sooner it is treated the better!

How are Ace's lungs? Are they clear? If his respiration is up and he's lost weight, you might want to get him checked. He may need more antibiotics. If you pick up some Lysine, it will help to strengthen his immune system.

Is he eating well? The vet can give you Nutrical paste and high calorie A/D food to help him out.

I hope he hangs in there!

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He has been to vet this morning. Still a few sounds in 1 of his lungs. He is on antibiotics.bought some high calorie food off vet but he isnt entertaining food yet. Giving him kitten formula too

I'm glad to hear that Ace is still on antibiotics. Hopefully, he'll get hungry soon. The formula is good for him too.

Flat-chested kittens have been helped on this forum by wearing "vests" that help the rib cage to form properly. catwoman707 has helped many forum members with making these vests, by explaining them and showing pictures. Usually, when the kittens wear the vest for a few weeks, they improve dramatically.

Please read the thread I've provided the link to.  It includes pictures.  It will only take a week or two of these homemade braces to fix the kittens chest.  You need to do it now while the kitten is growing so quickly.  Many cat have been helped this way.  Your vet may have no knowledge of this but it doesn't mean it won't work.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/290989/flat-chested-kitten-syndrome

handsome kitty

Thank you for providing the link! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

SuperSam said:

He has been to vet this morning. Still a few sounds in 1 of his lungs. He is on antibiotics.bought some high calorie food off vet but he isnt entertaining food yet. Giving him kitten formula too

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If you remember my former post, I commented how surprised I was to hear the vet tell you his body will get used to it. This is absurd and not true!

As you are now seeing, he is only going to get worse and worse.

He is a baby and growing at a fantastic rate, very soon he will not be able to function anymore, his ribcage is already squeezing his lungs causing a serious lack of capacity, also meaning his body is not getting the amt of oxygen it needs for healthy blood cells and organ function.

SO! YOU CAN FIX THIS!

Assuming you are right handed, take him by his scruff with your left hand, turn it over so that he is scruffed but laying in your palm on his back.

With your right hand, using your thumb and first 2 fingers, put them on the sides of his ribcage, and gently squeeze. Do you feel how soft his ribs are?

By gently squeezing, you are taking the pressure off of his lungs. 

If I'm not explaining it clear enough, picture something round but flexible. One of those plastic/rubber bracelets, or even a ball. 

If you were to squeeze it on it's sides, it will become oblong, protruding at the top and bottom, well this is what needs to be done to reform his ribs.

It is very fast, due to his fast growth rate now.

Younger the better, but he is well within range of a fast rehab here.

The vest is designed so that it mimics what your fingers did when you squeezed.

In a matter of days his ribs will start growing the way they are being reshaped.

It's important that you know not too much, he is tiny and it only takes a small amt of pressure (squeeze) to change them.

The link that @Handsome Kitty  provided will explain in great detail, also how fast and successful it is

The time is NOW, he already has had too much pressure on his growing lungs for too long, stupid vet, what in the world is he thinking?! 

No reason what-so-ever for this little punkin to be struggling or cut his life off, he will be fine, you will see!

Thank you catwoman707 !

S supersam this is the way to go. You'll be surprised at the results. It will save Ace's life!

sarthur2 said:

I'm glad to hear that Ace is still on antibiotics. Hopefully, he'll get hungry soon. The formula is good for him too.

Flat-chested kittens have been helped on this forum by wearing "vests" that help the rib cage to form properly. catwoman707 has helped many forum members with making these vests, by explaining them and showing pictures. Usually, when the kittens wear the vest for a few weeks, they improve dramatically.

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He is feeding off his mam but not interested in solid food

Was he eating solids before?

Do you think you can make him a vest to wear to help his rib cage?

The link and pictures should help you. And please ask questions!

I fear he is slipping downhill, it happens fast, before you know it you could actually lose him.

He must get more oxygen ASAP.

AND eating enough, I don't think relying on his nursing is enough.

The minute the vest goes on him, he will be able to breathe better and will go back to eating well again.

sarthur2 said:

Was he eating solids before?

Do you think you can make him a vest to wear to help his rib cage?

The link and pictures should help you. And please ask questions!

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No he hasnt been eating solids, hes 5 wks old and we have tried everything to get him to eat. We are feeding him with a bottle and kitten formula as well as him feeding of his mam. The vet thought he lost weight as she was feeling his bones but he hasnt. He has put on 70g in a week. I had a feel of his ribcage gently last night. Its not only flat but really deformed too. I fear the worst. Just got to give him the best life possible.vet said to keep him quiet. Dont let him play, run etc but what kind of life will that be confined to a box? He plays like a normal kitten

Why are you refusing to try this vest? There is no harm in trying, it will not hurt him, and at best it will fix his problem completely!

Yes, please just try the vest. It will not make things worse and may help. It can be made quite easily from a toilet paper roll. At least you would feel you'd tried everything.

SuperSam said:

No he hasnt been eating solids, hes 5 wks old and we have tried everything to get him to eat. We are feeding him with a bottle and kitten formula as well as him feeding of his mam. The vet thought he lost weight as she was feeling his bones but he hasnt. He has put on 70g in a week. I had a feel of his ribcage gently last night. Its not only flat but really deformed too. I fear the worst. Just got to give him the best life possible.vet said to keep him quiet. Dont let him play, run etc but what kind of life will that be confined to a box? He plays like a normal kitten

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Don't let a 5 week old kitten play or run??!! CLEARLY this vet has never dealt with a flat chested kitten before, or is clueless about solutions.......

Okay, here's my last ditch effort in hopes of convincing you.

How much longer do you think it will be before his fast growing lungs get squeezed to the point of restricting his lung capacity so much that his body becomes severely deprived of oxygen?

Every single day he is growing. His ribs are growing too, but without a bit of persuasion to grow correctly, they continue to grow incorrectly. Problem shape is not going to get better unless it is shown the right way to grow.

It's so simple, surely you must love him? But not one mention of the link that @Handsome Kitty  posted, no comments about my offers to help, I just don't understand?

It's so simple to fix, deadly if you don't, what are you thinking on this? Did your vet convince you he is doomed and nothing can be done?

@SuperSam  Has your vet taken an Xray of Ace's chest?    I have read a number of other threads where people have followed catwoman707's advice and it has made an amazing and rapid difference to so many kittens' life.   I do have a little anxiety for Ace however - in case his ribs are not only flattened but also have any curve inward which might make the use of a little jacket inappropriate.  If an Xray hasn't been done please do ask your vet whether they think Ace has 'Flat Chest Syndrome', or 'Pextus Excavatum'.   However, making one using catwoman707's instructions and fitting lightly to prevent Ace's body weight pressing down on his ribs and aggravating the problems he is having for a short period until you can check this with the vet should not do anything other than help your little guy feel easier in his breathing.