My cat recently, right around thanksgiving, began to breathe heavier then normal. she's still eating, using her littler box and has the same personality she did before. But she gets out of breath much easier and while just sitting she breathes very heavy. We're planning on taking her to the vets this week, but I'm really nervous it's heart failure, but wouldn't she have stopped eating and all of that?
Please help. I've had my cat my whole life....
2007-12-16 02:19:55 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
it very much sounds like heart failure too bad i dont know of an animal webmd it would be nice...
2007-12-16 02:24:19 · answer #1 · answered by blueeyegagurl831 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Is the breathing out being done with force? Or is it the breathing in that's the hard part?
We lost Fred to cardiomyopathy in September and he was breathing rough, mostly forcing air out, for 2 days, just slightly, then suddenly had to gasp when he climbed the stairs--I got him in quick (I'd thought it was an upper resperatory prior to that) and it turned out to be his heart, his chest cavity had filled with fluid which were compressing the lungs.
He didn't stop eating, he was moving around, but was a little 'off' and wanting to lay on the couch more. That was the only change in his behavior. We found out later that the increasingly strong twitch he'd had in his left front leg for the previous 3 months was an indication of cardiomyopathy. We didn't know that till after he was diagnosed though.
They had him on oxygen and he didn't improve, we had to euthenize when we saw the x-ray. His heart wall was so thick on the left ventricle it could barely pump blood, his blood pressure was very low because of that.
If the problem is breathing in, it could be an upper resperatory, asthma or allergies. Hopefully it's something easily treatable.
I don't really think of 16 as old, our guys usually get to 19 or 21. Our vet sees a lot of 22-24 year old cats.
2007-12-16 19:38:26 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She might be sick or have pneumonia. Cats that old have a tendency to get sick, but then again, if it was heart failure, she would probably have already died. I'd suggest taking her to the vet and if surgery or medication is really expensive put her down. I know it will be sad for you but if she's in a lot of pain she'll be relieved of it at the Rainbow Bridge. Don't forget - she'll be waiting for you!
2007-12-16 10:26:19 · answer #3 · answered by Starship 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean, I've had my cat 4ever too. If it might be the end then spend as much time with her as possible. Make sure that she feels loved before she goes to the vet. And remember, if she does pass away, you'll see her one day in a better place.
2007-12-16 12:15:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm ... the only cat I ever had that happen to just needed to be put in a cooler house, so she moved in with me.
The best thing to do is exactly what you're doing, take her to the vet and find out what's what. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
It's a terrible thing when their time comes but the best thing we can do for them is continue to support and love them.
2007-12-16 10:23:47 · answer #5 · answered by Rob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be congestive heart failure, yes. But it could be other things as well. What's more, CHF is treatable. There are medications and dietary changes that will help -- if indeed that is what she has.
Don't worry ahead. No emotion in the world can or will change anything. So just love her up and put fear out of your mind and assume that whatever it is, you will just weather it together.
K?
2007-12-16 10:45:16 · answer #6 · answered by Mercy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your cat is very old you need he\she to go outside for at least 1 hour. Unless your cat is eating alot so feed he\she less food.
2007-12-16 11:06:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does sound like heart issues. Your vet will tell you.....
2007-12-16 10:24:34 · answer #8 · answered by Boxer Lover 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋