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Feline Respiratory Problems
By: Alfred


Cats can get minor respiratory infection just like we can,
along with some much more serious diseases. Some cats just
get the minor sniffles that will be gone probably shortly
after you notice the problem. Cats get colds as well and
they have all of the associated sniffles, sneezes, coughs
and even fever that humans get when we have colds.

However, there are some respiratory problems that can cause
death in cats. If a cat is demonstrating irregular breathing
or fast short breathing this can indicate shock, which is
very dangerous.

Here are some symptoms that occur when you cat is in shock:

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

Most of the time respiratory problems occur in the airways.
When a clinically serious problem arises there can be a
secondary symptom of a respiratory problem. If you are in
doubt you should treat respiratory problems as something
potentially serious and contact your veterinarian.

Here is a questionnaire that may help you to diagnose what
is going on with your cat.

Does the cat have some of these symptoms?

If a cat exhibits one or more of the symptoms listed below,
call your veterinarian.

Paws to the mouth
Anxiety
Cough
Superficial breathing
Reluctant to move


If a cat exhibits one or more of the symptoms listed
below, take the cat to the veterinary emergency room!

Intense panting
Excessive salivation
Cherry-red gums
Bloody sputum
Inhalation of smoke
Glassy expression
Exposed to excessive heat
Heavy or gasping breathing
Difficult breathing
Abnormal noises in the chest
Gums or tongue bluish


If your cat has stopped breathing -

1. Lay the cat on its side.
2. Clean out any foreign material from the mouth and pull
the cat's tongue forward.
3. Gently close the cat's mouth. (Be careful not to make
the cat bite its own tongue.) With your hand
around the muzzle and holding the mouth shut, place
your mouth over the cat's nose and blow gently until
you see that the chest inflates.

4. Open the cat's mouth and let the lungs deflate.
5. Repeat the procedure 20 to 30 times per minute.
6. Take the pulse every 10 seconds to be sure that the
heart continues beating.

7. If the heart is not beating, give the cat a cardiac
massage along with the assisted breathing. Get someone to
drive you and the cat to the veterinary emergency hospital
as quickly as possible, and continue to do the respiratory
breathing on the way if the cat doesn't begin to breathe on
its own.

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