Priority: Medium

Overview

• Closely watch your cat.
• Needs a veterinary appointment in the next 1-2 days.
• If symptoms change, repeat and revise the Symptom Checker.

Symptom Considerations

• If your cat has trouble breathing, it can quickly become life threatening.
• 2 considerations are:
  • Respiratory rate (how many breaths per minute)
  • Respiratory effort (how hard it is to breathe)
• Your cat should take between 20 and 30 breaths per minute.
• Look at your cat’s side and count the number of times he breathes in a minute.
• Notice if muscles seem to be working too hard.
• Taking a video can be helpful.
• Some questions to prepare for:
  • What is your cat's respiratory rate at rest when at home?
  • How hard does your cat seem to be breathing?
  • Has your cat had breathing problems in the past? When?
  • Were the previous incidents similar?
  • Does your cat make new noise(s) when breathing - snoring, wheezing, coughing, etc.?
  • Are vaccines up to date?
  • Is your cat on heartworm preventative?
  • Does anyone smoke in the home?
  • Are there air fresheners or scented products at home?
  • Does your cat cough anything up?
• Your cat may need:
  • X-rays
  • Blood work
  • Sedated nasal examination

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