I have a new cat (almost a year old) that pants heavily with her mouth open when she plays a lot and is exerted. She also purrs VERY loudly, almost a snoring-noise, when she's sleeping.
Well, she just went in to be declawed and spayed/neutered, did fine right after the surgery, and now the Doc says she's breathing with her mouth open, which causes him concern.
I told him she does that when tired out, and he says this is a red flag... it could just be asthma (which he says is quite rare in cats) or possibly an enlarged heart.
Which is more likely? We're newly married and have very little income to spend on vet bills... is it worth keeping her? Will it cost us a billion dollars to keep her healthy or should I give her to someone else?
Does anyone have any other ideas of what it could be?
2007-03-23 05:41:33 · 11 answers · asked by jokesbyjen 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
The cat is only a couple months new to us... I don't want to give her away b/c she SNORES or breathes with her mouth open!!! I'd give her away b/c if it's something MAJOR like a big heart problem, I wouldn't be able to afford proper medical care!
I'm not heartless- I want her to be taken care of, and if it's something major, I can't do it.
I'm hoping above all hopes that it's NOT something major. Hence why I ask. We thought she was just "quirky" for breathing weird... we LOVE that about her!
2007-03-23 05:54:32 · update #1
There is a VERY big difference between affording routine cat vet care and the occasional problems that creep up
and signing up for a LIFETIME of major medical bills. Many of you dont' seem to understand that...
2007-03-23 06:02:28 · update #2
My cat use to do the same thing. It was asthma, he actually had the same problem after he got declawed and neutered. Its no big deal though. If its asthma they can give some pills for that for when he starts breathing hard or wheezing. Try not to spray heavy perfums or oderizers around him. Don't have him stop playing if he gets to breathing too hard with it until he calms down. Use a cat litter that says 99% powder free. My cat was only 6 months old when diagnosed and now he is 3 yrs. He grew out of the asthma and hasn't had a problem in a really long time. also the medicine I bought was like $70 and I never had to refill it, once I made sure I cleared the house of powdery strong smelling things everything calmed down. The only really expensive part was the xray that showed the asthma and it was about $150. Hope this helps and good luck.
2007-03-23 07:10:58 · answer #1 · answered by Blipp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What prognosis did your vet give you about the open mouth breathing? If you're not satisfied with him, take her to another vet and soon!!
Your kitty may have an enlarged heart or heart murmur. One of my cats has the same symptoms as yours. He snores loudly and pants when he's worn out. Since he's 6 yrs old now, he tends to know instinctively when to stop playing and rest. He also will breathe open mouthed when he's excited or stressed in some way.
Keep your kitty calm as possible without a lot of strangers around for a while till she heals and keep monitoring her breathing. It could even be something as simple as a reaction to the anesthetic she had for surgery. I hope she recovers to full health soon.
2007-03-23 05:54:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it's a heart problem, cardiomyopathy, it could cost a bit of money to help her. Unfortunately, both of my cats diagnosed with this ended up not making it.
Did he check for a diaphragmatic hernia? I had a kitten I was fostering that had this. She breathed through an opened mouth also. What happens is the diaphragm has a hole in it and the organs go up through that hole and push on the lungs, causing the kitten to breath heavy. Maybe he could check that out? Surgery can correct it.
For either the cardiomyopathy or the hernia, a simple (and relatively inexpensive) Xray can be done to determine which, if anything, it is. I would get an xray first, see what you're dealing with, then before making any decisions, discuss everything with your vet and get your options and costs for those options.
Good luck to you...
2007-03-23 06:20:12 · answer #3 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I won't be able to say which is it but i can definately tell you it wouldn't cost you billions. You can first look out for signs like is she having difficulties breathing when she's breathing with her mouth open, any signs of her loss of appetite, any pains when you try to carry her and also look out for lack of interest in the things she normally has. If these happens, i'm sure its the red flag, if not, you can take her for one x-ray to see if there's enlarged heart before you decide to give her up to someone else.
And i hope you love her more than what you might think she's worth, to me, my pet means everything and even if i had to eat lesser to keep him healthy, i'm willing. No offense, i know you're concerned but if you think you don't have the financial ability to keep a pet you shouldn't have committed in the first place.
All the best. I hope it'll just be a false alarm.
2007-03-23 05:53:02 · answer #4 · answered by Felicia C 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You need to understand that when you adopt an animal, you can't just say 'NO' and give the animal up. You accepted the responsibility of owning an animal when you first adopted them. Responsibility equals annual check ups, teeth cleanings, exams etc. If you aren't geared for that, then you NEVER should have adopted in the first place and have no right to claim that responsibility.
I have two cats myself, and would rather go hungry than see them in pain - in fact, I have. By the way, declawing is the worst thing you can ever do to an animal. You just damaged them physically and psychologically for life. It's modern day abuse that is in the process of becoming banned. Research it - declawing is severely inhumane and extremely painful for cats...even after the surgery is said and done. Your cat will ALREADY be living with pain for the rest of it's life, "heart problem" or not.
You running from responsibility is an awful attribute. At least your new husband loves you for that. Give it up now, you don't deserve the honor of owning any animal. While you're at it - PLEASE don't procreate.
2013-10-20 15:47:28 · answer #5 · answered by zebulonmusk 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I had a three year old cat who went in for a dental cleaning. The day after he began breathing through his mouth and his tongue was blue. I raced him back to the vet who sent me to a specialist/emergency clinic. My young and healthy cat came out of surgery with a blood clot in his heart. Probably due to being under anesthesia too long. I tried everything to save him. He died. His brother, many years later ended up with a similar condition. A very different cause though. We had moved into a new home and within weeks he began to pass out and and pant. Turned out our house was contaminated with black mold stacchbotrys and my cat inhaled spores that took over his lung tissue. Again, I tried everything to save him. He died. He did save the family though. We had to remediate the house at a cost of 40,000. I battled a 3 year personal injury law suit. We won. It still though has not changed the law regarding companion animals. Check the air quality of your home. Also, your cat could be allergic to the food you give him. Considering he returned from surgery in worse condition....I would question the vet and demand free testing and evaluations of your pet's health. If he refuses I would seek an animal welfare lawyer. Sounds like malpractice.
2007-03-24 04:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by royalpixieblue 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on being a responsible pet owner. What advice did your vet give you about the breathing? If you are concerned and know you will be unable to give her veterinary care, you should find a new home or her. Until then, I'd watch her pretty closely to see if she has other symptoms or if it gets worse. Some cats get allergies, too. Did you ask your vet if he allowed payments in installments?
2007-03-23 05:50:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I spent over $2,000 on my cats their first year of life (they are over a year and a half now) and I couldn't immagine not doing anything I can to do what needs to be done to get them healthy. I don't think twice about it.
2007-03-23 07:02:51 · answer #8 · answered by macleod709 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
He needs a VET, NOW! It sounds like he was hit by a car, and is in Shock. Only a Vet can help him.
2016-03-17 01:18:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like asthma my cat has asthma and I have to give him abuterol twice a day and it has been under control since. but if I were you I would give the cat away it doesn't sound like you are very willing to do what it takes to take care of this cat.
2007-03-23 05:58:29 · answer #10 · answered by catloverme123 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋