Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Cats with a cold may experience serious breathing (breathing) problems over time. If your cat is having trouble breathing, you should take your cat to the vet to determine the cause of the blockage and help treat the cat.What's more, it can be beneficial to know how to recognize signs of difficulty breathing, learn to alleviate dyspnea symptoms, and learn more about common cat breathing problems.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Detect upper respiratory problem

1. 

   Watch for symptoms of a runny nose. A runny nose is a common symptom in cats. The drainage around the nose can be a mucus or pus - the type of mucus attached to pus. These mucus are usually yellow or green in color.
   • Some cats with a nasal allergy may leak clear water from their nostrils. However, this can be difficult to spot if your cat regularly licks his runny nose.
   • If you notice signs of a runny nose in your cat, look closely to see if the mucus is flowing from 1 or both nostrils. If mucus comes out of both nostrils, the cat is more likely to become infected or allergic. Meanwhile, a discharge on one side of the nose indicates a foreign object or infection on one side of the nose.

2. 

   
   
   Watch for signs of sneezing. When we have a stuffy nose, we often blow our nose on a handkerchief. However, cats cannot do this and the only way to help them clear their nose is to sneeze.
   • If you notice that your cat is sneezing constantly, take your cat to the vet to determine the cause. Your cat most likely has an allergy or infection. However, your veterinarian will need to check the mucus to determine for sure what the cat is having.

3. 

   
   
   Determine the cause of your stuffy nose. Cats often have a stuffy nose caused by rhinitis (inflammation in the nasal passages that produces mucus), infection (caused by a virus such as cat flu), and inhaling foreign objects (such as grass that shoots in the nose when the cat sniffs grass).
   • The most common cause of nasal and sinus congestion is a virus. The viruses that commonly cause nasal and sinus congestion in cats are Feline Herpesvirus (FVR) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV). These two viruses can cause a cat's eyes to become swollen, red, and watery, along with mouth ulcers and salivation. You can help keep your cat away from these viruses by having regular vaccinations and keeping your cat away from sick cats. Recurrent viral diseases in cats often suppress the immune system, thereby giving secondary and extremely dangerous bacteria the opportunity to enter the respiratory tract, causing serious illness, and drainage. nose and anorexia in cats. You should also know that viral illnesses can be easily treated, but the bacteria are still there and difficult to destroy. As a result, you should see your cat with a licensed vet if the cat exhibits any of the above symptoms.
   • These diseases often cause difficulty breathing because mucus builds up in the cat's nose. Like someone with a cold, mucus can clog the nostrils and lead to difficulty breathing.

Method 2 of 4: Detect lower respiratory problem

1. 

   
   
   Measure your cat's respiration rate. The number of times the cat breathes per minute is called the respiration rate. A cat's normal respiration rate is usually around 20-30 breaths / minute. Both the rate (number of breaths) and the way the cat breathes can indicate a problem in breathing.
   • There is a definite error in the range of the cat's normal respiratory rate. For example, a cat who breathes 32 times / minute is also considered healthy and is not experiencing anything out of the ordinary.
   • However, you should pay attention if the cat breathes 35-40 times / minute or breathes heavily.

2. 

   Watch for signs of heavy breathing. A cat's normal breathing movements are often subtle and difficult to detect, so cats are really having trouble breathing hard. Heavy breathing means your cat has to increase its chest or stomach movement in order to inhale or push air.
   • To determine if the cat is breathing normally, it is best to look at a position (such as the chest) and see if the position slowly rises and falls.
   • The abdominal muscles are usually not involved in breathing air into the chest. As a result, it is unusual for a cat's belly to expand and contract while breathing. In addition, your cat is having problems if her chest "puffs up", has long and visible breathing movements, or her belly moves when she breathes.

3. 

   Follow the "air hungry" posture. A cat with difficulty breathing is more likely to be in the "air hungry" position. Cats often sit or lie in a position with their elbows away from the body, with their head and neck stretched to stretch their trachea.
   • Cats in this letter often open their mouths and begin to gasp.

4. 

   Identify the signs of distress. Cats with shortness of breath often feel distressed. To see if your cat is in pain or not, observe the cat's expression. You can see the anxious cat with the corners of her mouth tucked back and her expression grimacing. Some signs of distress to watch out for are:
   • Enlarged pupils
   • Ear down
   • Beard curled back
   • Act fiercely when you get close
   • The tail is close to the body

5. 

   Watch for signs of gasping. Cats may gasp after exercising to cool themselves down. However, panting while resting is unusual for cats. If your cat is panting while resting, consult your veterinarian as this is most likely a sign of breathing problems.
   • Cats may also gasp when they are anxious or frightened, so keep an eye on the cat's surroundings.

Method 3 of 4: Take care if your cat has a stuffy nose

1. 

   Talk to your veterinarian about giving your cat antibiotics. If your cat shows signs of infection (yellow or green discharge from the nose), talk to your veterinarian about whether to prescribe an antibiotic for your cat.
   • If your cat's infection is caused by a virus, the antibiotics may be ineffective. However, if your cat has a bacterial infection and is prescribed antibiotics, it may take 4-5 days for the infection to improve, so you should also find other ways to help your cat breathe easier. .

2. 

   Use steam therapy. Warm, moist steam often loosens mucus and makes it easier for cats to breathe. Of course, do not press the cat's head into the bowl of boiling water as the cat may panic, knock the bowl over and put both you and the cat in danger. Instead, use a sauna to help relieve your cat of congestion. Making:
   • Take the cat into the bathroom and close the door. Turn on the hot shower mode and close the shower curtains to keep the cat away from the hot water.
   • Let the cat sit in the steam for about 10 minutes for each steam. You can give your cat the steam 2-3 times a day, so she can breathe a little more easily.

3. 

   Clean the cat's nose. The cat's nose will naturally be filled with dirt and need to be cleaned. You can wet a cotton pad, then wipe the cat's nose clean. Get rid of any dry mucus that has stuck to your cat's nose.
   • If your cat has a lot of nasal discharge, wiping her nose as often as possible can actually help her comfort.

4. 

   Ask your veterinarian for a prescription for a mucolytic medication. The mucus may thicken and stick in the nasal cavity, preventing your cat from breathing through his nose. In this case, the veterinarian may prescribe a "slime pill" for the cat.
   • This is a drug, such as Bisolvin, that dissolves and liquefies mucus. The active ingredient in Bisolvin is Bromhexine. When the mucus is thinner, it can be easier for a cat to sneeze and push it out.
   • Bisolvin is usually packaged 5 g, can be mixed with food and fed 1-2 times per day. The dosage of Bisolvin for a cat is 0.5 g per 5 kg of body weight. This means you can take "a pinch" of Bisolvin out of the package, mix it with food, and feed your cat 1-2 times a day.

Method 4 of 4: Understand common breathing problems in cats

1. 

   Take your cat to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. Chest problems include infection, pneumonia, heart disease, lung disease, tumors, and fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion). These conditions need to be treated by a veterinarian.
   • If you think your cat has chest congestion, don't try home remedies. Procrastinating in getting your cat to the vet can make the illness worse.

2. 

   Understand that breathing difficulties may be caused by pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious lung infection. Toxins from bacteria and viruses can cause inflammation and drainage in the lungs. If this happens, the oxygen exchange in the lungs will be suppressed and make it harder for the cat to breathe.
   • Strong antibiotics are often prescribed to treat pneumonia. Cats with severe pneumonia need supportive care with intravenous fluids or oxygen.

3. 

   Understand that heart disease is also a cause of shortness of breath. The function of pumping blood throughout the body is ineffective if there is a problem with the heart.Changes in blood pressure in the lungs allow fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and into lung tissue. Like pneumonia, this can reduce the lungs' ability to exchange oxygen and make it harder for your cat to breathe.
   • If heart disease is the cause of your cat's dyspnea, your veterinarian will determine the type of heart disease and prescribe the appropriate medication. Your cat needs oxygen to stabilize it before giving any medication or other treatment.

4. 

   Note that lung disease can cause difficulty breathing. Lung disease is asthma-like illness - a condition in which the airways constrict and block the air from entering and leaving the lungs. This condition is similar to bronchitis (another lung disease). With bronchitis, the airways harden, the lung walls thicken and prevent oxygen exchange. Asthma often affects cats that are sensitive to allergens (allergens) when inhaled.
   • Cats with asthma are often prescribed corticosteroids in the form of injections or oral tablets. Steroids are effective anti-inflammatory drugs that can reduce inflammation in your cat's airways. On the other hand, Salbutamol inhalers are also available for cats with asthma provided the cat is willing to wear a mask.
   • Bronchitis is also treated with steroids, or bronchodilators, which help relieve stiffness and widen the airways.

5. 

   Consider whether your cat's breathing difficulties are caused by a lungworm infection. Lungworms are parasites that can interfere with your cat's breathing if left undetected for long periods of time. Severe lungworm infections can cause nasal discharge, cough, weight loss, and pneumonia.
   • Lungworms are often treated with antiparasitic drugs such as Ivermectin or Fenbendazole.

6. 

   Understand that tumors can lead to difficulty breathing. Lung cancer or tumors in the chest can cause lung congestion and reduce the amount of working lung tissue. As lung tissue levels decrease, your cat may experience shortness of breath or heavy breathing.
   • Tumors take up space in the chest, blocking the lungs or major blood vessels. Single tumors can be surgically removed but in general a cat tumor is a very bad condition. Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian.

7. 

   Know that pleural effusion can cause difficulty breathing. Pleural effusion is a condition in which fluid builds up around the lungs. This can happen if your cat has kidney disease, an infection, or a lump in the chest that leaks fluid.
   • The liquid can put pressure on your lungs and cause your cat to have atelectasis. A cat's lungs that are flat will not fully expand and make it harder for your cat to breathe.
   • If your cat has difficulty breathing, the veterinarian can drain the fluid completely using a special chest needle. Drainage will help the lungs swell again and normalize temporarily. However, the fluid can be spilled again if the disease is not completely treated.

Advice

• Talk to your veterinarian right away if you have any concerns about your cat's respiratory health.

Warning

• Do not apply VapoRub oil to cats. One of the main ingredients of VapoRub is Camphor which is very toxic to cats. Side effects can range from mild skin irritation to vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.