Cat Respiratory Problems

Although some types of respiratory difficulties are of little importance, others can be mortal. Remember always that an agitated or very superficial breathing can indicate a shock.

Monitor Possible Shock

• Pale or whitish gums
• Agitated breathing
• Weak and accelerated pulse
• Coldness in the extremities
• General weakness

The respiratory problems can originate in the proper air ways, but also can be secondary symptoms of clinical serious problems located in other parts of the body. Before the doubt, treat the majority of the respiratory difficulties as potentially serious emergencies.

Does the cat have some cat of these symptoms?:
Suffocation.
Takes the paws to the mouth.
Bluish tongue.     YES
Obstruction of the respiratory tract. Go to the veterinarian  NOW.

Difficult breathing?
Abnormal noises in the chest?
Gums or bluish tongue?
Salivation?
Intense pant?     YES
Possible pectoral injury. 
Go to the veterinarian    NOW.

Does he breaths heavily, gives gasps?
Does he have aspect of anxiety?
Shock?     YES
Possible poisoning or allergic reaction. Go to the veterinarian  NOW.

Cough?
Bloody sputum?
Smell of smoke?     YES
Inhalation of smoke. Go to the veterinarian  NOW.

Intense pant? Glassy expression? Has he been exposed to the heat? YES
Heat Blow. Go to the veterinarian     NOW.

Abnormal superficial breathing? Gums of cherry-red color? Contract muscles and fever?     YES
Poisoning by carbon monoxide. Go to the veterinarian  NOW

Very superficial Breathing and someone of the following symptoms?:
Symptoms of shock. Symptoms of any injury. Gums or tongue bluish. Lethargic Fever.      YES
Go to the veterinarian      NOW.

Absorption? Reluctant to moving? Very agitated breathing? Shy position?  YES
Liquid in the thoracic cavity, collapsed lung or laceration of diaphragm.
Go to the veterinarian      NOW.

Does he cough and have any of the following symptoms?:
Fever. Apathy. Loss of weight. Agitated and difficult breathing. YES
Go to the veterinarian within 24 hours.

Artificial breathing: If your cat has stopped of breathing

1. Extend him sideward. Clean of remains or strange bodies the respiratory airways and extract the tongue of the mouth.
2. Close the mouth of the cat. With the hand around the snout, cover with the mouth the nose of the feline and blow until you see that the chest inflates. 
3. Take out the mouth and let that the lungs deflate.
4. Repeat the procedure for a 20 to 30 times per minute
5. Take the pulse every 10 seconds to be sure that the heart continues beating.
6. If the heart is not beating, give him a cardiac massage together with the artificial breathing.
7. Look as soon as possible for veterinary attention.