If your cat’s breathing seems rapid or labored, it’s a sign that something isn’t right. Fast breathing, also known as tachypnea, isn’t a disease itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying issue that needs veterinary attention as soon as possible.
A healthy cat at rest should take between 20 and 30 breaths per minute. If you notice your cat breathing faster than that, it’s time to investigate.
This article will cover the possible causes of cat fast breathing, the symptoms to watch for, how a vet will diagnose the problem, treatment options, and what you can do to help prevent breathing problems in the first place.
Understanding fast breathing in cats
If your cat is breathing faster than normal, it’s important to figure out why.
Defining fast breathing (tachypnea)
Tachypnea is the medical term for rapid breathing. Keep in mind that it’s different from dyspnea, which means labored breathing. It’s possible for a cat to have both.
To measure your cat’s respiratory rate, count how many breaths (inhales and exhales) they take in 30 seconds, and then multiply that number by two. That will give you their breaths per minute.
Normal respiratory rate vs. abnormally fast
A typical resting respiratory rate for cats is around 20 to 30 breaths per minute. If your cat is consistently breathing faster than that, especially if they’re resting and not stressed, it’s probably worth investigating.
How to recognize fast breathing
The main sign of fast breathing in cats is tachypnea, or rapid breathing.
Other symptoms that could come along with it include:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Open-mouth breathing (this can be a sign of severe distress)
- Changes in gum color (blue or pale gums can mean a lack of oxygen and are an emergency)
- Noisy breathing or wheezing
- Unusual abdominal movement when breathing
- Anxiety or restlessness
What causes fast breathing in cats?
Fast breathing in cats can be the result of a number of different underlying conditions, from relatively minor to quite serious. If your cat is breathing rapidly, it’s important to get him or her checked out by a vet as soon as possible.
Here are some of the more common reasons a cat may breathe rapidly:
Respiratory issues
- Asthma. Feline asthma can cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
- Airway infections. Upper respiratory infections can make it harder for your cat to breathe.
- Foreign bodies. Obstructions in the airway can cause rapid breathing.
- Lungworm. Lungworm is a parasitic infection in the lungs.
Cardiovascular issues
- Heart disease. Heart disease can lead to pulmonary edema and difficulty breathing.
- Pulmonary edema. This condition occurs when fluid accumulates in the lungs.
- Pulmonary thromboembolism. This is a blood clot in the lungs.
Other medical conditions
- Anemia. Anemia means your cat’s blood has a reduced capacity to carry oxygen.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a complication of diabetes.
- Heat stroke. An elevated body temperature can cause distress.
- Pain. Pain can cause rapid and shallow breathing.
- Trauma. An injury to the chest or lungs can cause breathing problems.
How do vets diagnose the cause of fast breathing?
If your cat is breathing rapidly, a vet will need to examine them to determine the underlying cause. This will likely include:
- Physical exam: The vet will listen to your cat’s heart and lungs.
- Blood tests: These tests can show how well your cat’s organs are functioning, whether they have an infection, and how many red blood cells they have.
- X-rays: Radiographs can help vets visualize the heart and lungs.
- Ultrasound: This can help the vet evaluate your cat’s heart and other organs.
- Blood gas analysis: This test will measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your cat’s blood.
- Fecal examination: This test can help vets identify parasites like lungworm.
Veterinary Treatment Options
If you’ve noticed your cat is breathing fast, you’ll want to get to the vet right away. Once you’re there, here’s what the vet might do:
Emergency Stabilization
- Oxygen therapy. Your vet may place your cat in an oxygen cage or administer oxygen through a mask to quickly raise the level of oxygen in the blood.
- Fluid therapy. Intravenous fluids can help support blood pressure and keep your cat hydrated.
Addressing the Underlying Cause
Once your cat is stable, the vet will focus on treating the underlying cause of the fast breathing. This could include:
- Medications. Depending on the cause, this could include bronchodilators for asthma, antibiotics for infections, or diuretics to remove fluid from the lungs.
- Thoracentesis. If there’s fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion), the vet may perform a thoracentesis to remove it.
- Surgery. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove a foreign object or repair a diaphragmatic hernia.
- Analgesics. The vet may prescribe pain relief medication.
How to care for a cat with fast breathing
You can’t always prevent the conditions that lead to fast breathing in cats, but there are a few things you can do:
- Take your cat for regular checkups. Routine exams can help your vet spot underlying conditions early.
- Keep up with vaccines and parasite control. This protects your cat from respiratory infections and parasites that can cause breathing problems.
- Make sure your cat maintains a healthy weight. Obesity can cause or exacerbate breathing issues.
- Pay attention. If you notice any changes in your cat’s breathing patterns, let your vet know right away.
Summary
If your cat is breathing rapidly, that’s a serious symptom, and you should contact your veterinarian right away.
Keep an eye on your cat’s breathing patterns so you’ll notice any changes. If you see that your cat is breathing fast, especially if their gums look blue or they’re breathing through their mouth, seek immediate veterinary attention.