My cat is breathing heavily. What can I do until the vet appointment?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
We have vet appt in 12 hours. What can I do to help my cat through the night for his heavy breathing, 62 bpm?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 9th, 2018
Even though you have a vet appointment in 12 hours I would encourage you to see an emergency vet if at all possible. Trouble breathing in a cat is very concerning, and can become life threatening quickly. There is nothing to do at home other than trying to minimize stress as much as possible - keep your cat somewhere quiet with little stimulation.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on September 27th, 2017
It depends on the primary cause. In abscence of any symptoms related to an upper respiratory tract disease, such as nasal discharge or sneezing, or increased noise when inhaling, you will have to assume that it is a chest condition. All diseases affecting the chest can be potentially life threatening so urgent vet care is required. In the meantime, cats should be kept indoors with minimal stress. Feeding routine as usual, try not to overheat the environment masking sure it is cool and well oxygenated. Hope this helps !
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
What is a good home remedy to help a cat with breathing problems until you can get them to the vet?
It depends on the primary cause. In abscence of any symptoms related to an upper respiratory tract disease, such as nasal discharge or sneezing, or increased noise when inhaling, you will have to assume that it is a chest condition. All diseases affecting the chest can be potentially life threatening so urgent vet care is required. In the meantime, cats should be kept indoors with minimal stress. Feeding routine as usual, try not to overheat the environment masking sure it is cool and well oxygenated. Hope this helps !
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello there, I couldn't find my cat during the night and he had taken himself off and hidden. He is very out of sorts and breathing quite rapidly. He won't eat his wet food and won't purr or respond much when held. We live in a regional area so I'm
If he is breathing rapidly than he needs to be examined by a vet right away. He could have an infection, asthma, or possibly fluid around his lungs. Your vet can take an x-ray to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. He may need an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and other medications, depending on the cause. He may also need some oxygen if his oxygen level is low. There really is not much you can do at home if he is breathing rapidly so please try to get him to a vet that can help treat.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
I have a 13 year old cat breathing abnormally. Heavy and quick(ish), nose is flaring, chest is moving as well as her belly and when she sits her head is slightly outstretched like she's leaning forward. Could she be having difficulty breathing due to
I am afraid this is an emergency. Your cat could have a pulmonary blood clot, a foreign body in her airway or other airway-obstructing problem. Please take her to an out of hours vet now. If you do not know where to take her, ring your vet and his answering service will refer you to the best place.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is under a year old and is having issues breathing he is using his nose and mouth he is heavy breathing and meows like he is in pain when picked up or touched I have no money or a car
This is a medical emergency, and he has to see a vet now. Breathing through the mouth in cats is an indication of respiratory distress. I would see if you can have a friend or family member drive you both into the vet. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/ Please take him in
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We have brought him with us to my parents' who live in another city. It was a 5 hour road trip which he hates and pants a lot during it. Now, it's been two days and he's been indoors and relaxed all the time but he keeps panting and breathing rapidly
I would recommend taking DoReMi to a veterinarian as soon as you can. It is not typical for cats to pant unless they are in extreme pain, very stressed, or in respiratory distress. Some common causes of difficulty breathing include heart disease, feline asthma, and pleural effusion (or fluid outside the lungs in the chest cavity). Even if he is just experiencing stress in his new surroundings it is much safer to have him checked out by a veterinarian than to wait until his breathing is worse.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is breathing heavy, coughing, and is hardly eating. Not sure what to do?
It sounds like Chassi needs to be examined by the veterinarian quickly. Changes in respiratory pattern in cats can indicate an emergency and there's not way to tell without an exam. Heavy breathing could be due to pneumonia, asthma, a tumor in the lungs or fluid in the chest. She will need a physical exam and likely radiographs. I recommend to play ti safe and have her examined quickly. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is experiencing labored, abdominal breathing. Other than that he appears to be in great condition, normal appetite, clear eyes, pink gums, no cough or nasal discharge, lays and sits in comfortable positions. But it worries me, I took him to th
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Labored breathing can be a sign of many conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, pleural effusion, heart disease, among many other possibilities. If it would be possible for him to get diagnosed sooner it would be better as some conditions that an cause labored breathing are serious such as the ones mentioned above. I recommend that you have Simba evaluated by a veterinarian sooner than Monday for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include thoracic radiographs and bloodwork. Treatment would be dependent on findings. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello. I have a cat that is suddenly have a hard time breathing and lethargic. I want to bring him to a vet but there aren't any available vets at this time. What should I do while waiting to take my cat to the vet tomorrow?
I would take your pet in as a walk in, even if the vets say they don't have room. This is a medical emergency whenever a pet cannot breathe normally and breathing issues require treatment at the hospital because the mainstay of treatment is to provide the pet with pure oxygen, which cannot be duplicated in the home. I hope your pet Dino can get help today and can get stabilized enough where they can do some tests on him to find out the underlying cause of his breathing issues. Breathing problems in general can be caused by: pneumonia, foreign body obstruction in the airway, a primary lung disease, and an asthma attack just to name a few.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat stopped while playing, began to stare at the floor then laid down and yowled twice. He is breathing heavy but purring. What should we do?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Heavy breathing is certainly abnormal in cats. It can be seen with conditions like asthma, heart disease, bronchitis, pneumonia, among other possibilities. This is usually concerning in cats and warrants a visit to a veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and possible treatment. They will likely going to perform thoracic radiographs, among other diagnostics dependent on the results obtained. Treatment would be dependent on the findings. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 14 year old cat, and she suddenly started breathing heavily with her mouth open, and making weird sounds. She had a breast cancer surgery two months ago, but she was always acting fine. From one minute to the other, she started acting like t
Unfortunately there is no over the counter product to help with this issue. We don't know the cause of her respiratory distress and it could include anything ranging from infection, spread of cancer to lungs, or heart disease. If she is in respiratory distress I would recommend taking her the the emergency vet closest to your area. It looks like there is one near you according to your zip code http://www.wvrc.com/about/locations/racine-wi-pet-hospital/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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