Abdominal Breathing

I'm having difficulty determining what would be considered abdominal breathing. I have a 1 year old cat who I noticed was breathing very rapidly and twitching today while she slept. I woke her up and her breathing returned to a steady 24 breaths per minute after about 2 minutes. Since then, I've been watching her like a hawk for the rest of the day and I've noticed that her abdomen moves a lot while she breathes. She's a little under 7 pounds, so quite small and a little bit underweight (just adopted recently and she was a stray, so we are working on putting some weight on her), so I'm wondering if it's really true abdominal breathing or if I'm just noticing it because she's so tiny- or if I'm just worried over nothing! She was recently treated for an upper respiratory infection and completed a course of Baytril and is nonsymptomatic. She's been eating/drinking normally, grooming normally, quite affectionate and very playful this morning, but I have noticed her yawning quite a bit today.

O olivia520
Many of the cats I've had appear to be "dreaming" at times when they sleep. We call it that because their eyes and paws twitch and they breathe faster. Almost like REM sleep for humans. All of them were fine, and it only happens occasionally during their sleep.
I'd watch, but wouldn't be concerned unless her overall behavior changes

I've also had cats whose breathing sped up when they were dreaming.  As for yawning, I think it's like people.  Some days, they yawn more than others.   Is there anything in particular you are worried about?  From what you describe, it sounds like your little girl is doing fine.  

Thanks for the responses! I was really more concerned about the abdominal breathing than anything else- I noticed it was moving more than usual, at least to my eye.

Can you post a video or is she back to normal?  If she's back to normal, the abdominal breathing might just have been associated with the dream.  You are right to take this seriously, though.   It doesn't sound like you need to take her to the vet at this point but it's important to listen to your own inner voice when it comes to your kitty. You know her best and if something seems "off,"  pay attention and don't hesitate to take her in. 

She's behaving normally- great appetite, very affectionate and playful. Again, I can't tell if she's always breathed like this and I'm just noticing it now because I'm paying more attention to her breath pattern, or if this is a new development. I guess I'll keep watching her and see if it gets worse or if any other troublesome symptoms develop.