Call Us Find Us. Heavy Breathing Panting In Cats Some panting in cats is normal, while in other cases, it can indicate a serious problem that requires prompt veterinary care. Normal Panting in Cats In some cases, cat panting is normal. Asthma Asthma can cause cats to pant, wheeze, and cough, and can also cause increased respiratory rate. Heartworm Heartworm in cats can cause breathing difficulties.
Congestive Heart Failure When fluid accumulates in and around the lungs, it can cause deep, rapid breathing, coughing, and panting. Respiratory Infection Respiratory infections can make it difficult for cats to breathe, resulting in heavy breathing. Other Conditions Trauma, anemia, neurologic disorders, abdominal enlargement, and pain can also cause cats to pant or exhibit heavy breathing.
If your cat has heavy or labored breathing, contact our emergency veterinary clinic right away. Comments About Our Care "Great caring and well-qualified staff. Very concerned about their patients. Move things along as quickly as they can. Unfortunately, respiratory distress is one of the most common reasons that we see felines on an emergency basis. Many times, excessive panting and other worrisome behaviors are associated with an underlying disease.
Here are some of the most common primary causes of abnormal panting in cats:. Many feline pet parents are shocked to hear that this common human ailment can also be found in their feline fur babies too! Cats with asthma will often cough, wheeze, pant, or breathe at a much faster rate than normal and they may even vomit. There are varying levels of severity to this condition in cats, but just like in people, this can become life-threatening during an asthma attack.
Thankfully, cat asthma can be well controlled through using inhaler therapy for delivery of steroids into the lungs and also using bronchodilators. Also very similar to dogs and people, cats can have many different forms of heart disease that lead to fluid backup and accumulation in and around the lungs, one of the key findings in congestive heart failure. The frustration for many veterinarians and feline pet parents is that many cats can have heart disease that can go undetected until an episode of complete failure.
This is especially true with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM. In this condition, the heart muscle thickens, becomes less flexible and, due to its size, has to beat much faster and inefficiently. This disease, especially prevalent in the Maine Coon breed, can cause a cat to have difficulty breathing, panting, coughing, decreased appetite, weight loss, and in advanced cases, risk of blood clots being formed and going to other parts of the body.
Treatment in emergencies include oxygen therapy, diuretics medication to help remove fluid from the lungs , medication to help slow down the heart rate and allow more efficient heart beats, aspirin to help prevent blood clots and other life-saving strategies. Cats can also develop different respiratory infections within the nasal passages and lungs themselves from viruses, bacteria, and even fungal organisms. Cats experiencing inflammation from a respiratory infection will also have difficulty breathing either too fast or with too much effort , may cough, pant, and be very lethargic.
Try to give them space and freedom from unwanted interactions, offer up toys and opportunities to scratch on their favorite cat tree , keep your home quiet, keep visitors away for a while, and re-establish a routine that's suitable to their needs. When a cat is experiencing pain they will likely engage in behaviors that may seem out of the ordinary or out of context. Vocalizing, changes in mood, not eating, hiding, obsessively licking an area of their body, and open-mouth panting can all be signs a cat is experiencing pain and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Johnson-Bennett notes that the pain could be due to a recent injury or an underlying medical condition. Cats don't always tell us where they are hurting and it can be hard to pinpoint a cause of pain, especially if you have a very active kitty. But, if you think your cat may be experiencing pain, no matter the reason, take action. A cat that begins to pant excessively seemingly out of the blue, or seems to pant at different times throughout the day, may not be feeling well and could have a medical issue that needs immediate attention.
Johnson-Bennett says that cardiovascular or respiratory issues may be at the root of the problem. Other serious conditions like heartworm disease could also be a cause. Don't hesitate to make an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice your cat breathing heavily or open-mouth panting when they haven't just been playing. While panting is a normal dog behavior , it can be abnormal and concerning when your cat does it.
If you're not sure about the exact cause of your cat's panting, visit your local veterinarian for a wellness check up and for great advice on what to do next. Why Do Cats Pant? Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Pin FB More. Grey maine coon cat lays in grass panting with What the Fluff logo.
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