Difficulty breathing in cats: Heart or respiratory issue?

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Difficulty breathing in cats can result from conditions affecting the heart, lungs, chest cavity, or other locations in the body. The circulatory and respiratory systems work closely together, so when one system is diseased, the other is likely to be affected. As a result, symptoms of heart and respiratory disease can be similar. If your cat is showing changes in their breathing, read on to learn:

• How the cardiac and respiratory systems work together
• Symptoms of respiratory distress from heart or lung issues
• What veterinary care for breathing problems in cats may involve
• When to seek emergency care for breathing problems

A cat with breathing difficulties due to heart or respiratory disease may show an increased respiratory rate, rapid breathing or panting (breathing with an open mouth), abnormal sounds while breathing, and other symptoms. Respiratory infections, feline asthma, and heart disease are common causes of breathing difficulty in cats. A proper diagnosis from a veterinarian is needed in order to effectively treat the underlying condition. It’s important to seek immediate veterinary care if your cat is having difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly, no matter what other symptoms are present.

The circulatory system and respiratory system work closely together to deliver oxygen throughout the body. Oxygen is inhaled into the lungs, picked up by red blood cells, and pumped through the body by the heart. The lungs and heart are both located in a cat’s chest cavity, or thoracic cavity, with the lungs on either side of the heart.

Health conditions that affect the heart, lungs, or chest cavity can cause complications throughout the connected bodily systems. For example, respiratory illness affects the lungs, which can put pressure on the heart, and heart conditions can cause fluid buildup in the chest cavity or lungs. The lungs can’t expand properly if there’s fluid in the chest cavity, and if there’s fluid within the lungs, the lungs can’t hold enough oxygen.

In addition to heart and lung diseases, cats can have difficulty breathing due to:

• Traumatic injury to the chest, neck, or abdomen
• Upper respiratory conditions
• Blood loss
• Certain metabolic conditions
• Neurologic conditions affecting the nerves in the lungs

Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) in cats looks much the same whether it’s caused by a respiratory disease or cardiac condition. However, there can be slight differences between the two that can point a veterinarian to an accurate diagnosis. No matter what system is affected, cats who are having breathing issues require emergency veterinary care.

Symptoms of both cardiac and respiratory problems include:

• Raspy, squeaky, wheezy, or noisy breathing sounds
• Coughing or gagging
• Panting or open-mouth breathing
• Rapid breathing or increased respiratory rate
• Keeping the body low to the ground and extending the head and neck forward
• Pale or blue gums
• Increased abdominal effort or contraction with each breath

“Panting or breathing with an open mouth is not normal in cats like it is in dogs,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on Vetster. “A cat may also gag when they are having trouble breathing, which can be mistaken for trying to bring up a hairball.”

Difficulty breathing in cats can be acute or chronic. Acute breathing issues occur suddenly and are often due to trauma or infection. Chronic breathing problems have a slow onset, with progressively worsening symptoms due to an ongoing underlying condition. Breathing difficulties can also be intermittent, meaning symptoms can come and go. Symptoms can also be made worse at times of increased exertion, such as during exercise, or in times of stress.

Heart conditions that can affect a cat’s breathing

Cats who are having breathing problems due to a heart condition are more likely to show rapid breathing and breathing with an open mouth. This is due to a lack of circulating oxygen in the body or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or chest cavity. Heart diseases that can lead to difficulty breathing in cats include:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Heartworm disease

These conditions affect the heart and lungs in different ways and may cause acute respiratory distress or chronic symptoms.

Common respiratory conditions in cats

Cats with respiratory conditions are more likely to show abnormal or loud breathing sounds and a body posture close to the ground with the head and neck extended. Common respiratory conditions include:

• Feline asthma (chronic bronchitis)
• Allergies
• Upper respiratory infections
• Infectious bronchitis
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
• Traumatic injury
• Pneumonia
• Cancer
• Parasitic infection, such as with lungworm or heartworm

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory conditions in cats. Signs of asthma in cats may be intermittent or episodic at first, but symptoms will often progress in both frequency and severity. An online vet is an excellent tool to help you monitor asthma symptoms or adjust treatment, and to offer guidance if you need help using a feline inhaler.

If a cat is in acute respiratory distress, they may need to be stabilized before diagnostic tests can be done. An initial physical exam may include listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope to listen for a heart murmur or abnormal lung sounds. Once a brief initial assessment is done, measures can be taken to stabilize the patient with medications, supplemental oxygen therapy, and other treatments while attempting to find the source of the problem through diagnostic testing and a more thorough examination.

Once the patient is stable, or if they do not need to be stabilized, a vet will recommend a diagnostic plan to determine the underlying cause of the breathing problems. Testing may include:

• A thorough physical exam
• X-rays
• Blood tests
• Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Fluid collection and analysis
• Rhinoscopy, endoscopy, or bronchoscopy
• Biopsies

An effective treatment plan will vary depending on the diagnosis but may include:

• Inhalers and other asthma medication
• Antibiotics, antifungals, or anti-inflammatory medications
• Heart medications
• Allergy management
• Surgical intervention for certain heart conditions or traumatic injuries
• Therapeutic diet

Some medical conditions are severe or may progress quickly, limiting treatment options. If the condition can’t be effectively treated, humane euthanasia may be the most compassionate option. Prognosis varies widely between conditions.

When changes to a cat’s breathing indicate an emergency

Any change in a cat’s breathing warrants veterinary attention, even if the change appears intermittently or seems minor. Seek immediate, in-person emergency care if your cat displays any of the following signs:

• Rapid breathing
• Panting (breathing with an open mouth)
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Pale or blue gums
• Abnormal sounds while trying to breathe
• Exaggerated belly movements when breathing

It’s best to seek medical care right away, even if you’re unsure if the breathing problem is an emergency. Vetster’s teletriage services with an online vet are a great resource to help determine if a cat’s symptoms point to a medical emergency and if a visit to the emergency hospital is warranted.

How can you tell if a cat is in respiratory distress?

Emergency care is needed if a cat shows signs of respiratory distress, such as heavy breathing, breathing with an open mouth, blue or pale gums, abnormal sounds when breathing, or abnormal abdominal movements with each breath.

What does a cat with respiratory issues sound like?

A cat with respiratory issues may have abnormal breathing sounds. They may sound wheezy, squeaky, raspy, or abnormally noisy. The cat may also be breathing heavily or with an open mouth, or be crouching close to the ground with their head and neck extended.

What does heart failure breathing sound like in cats?

Congestive heart failure in cats causes fluid buildup in the lungs. This may cause a crackling sound in the lungs or a wheezing sound while breathing. A cat with heart failure may also be breathing heavily, rapidly, or with an open mouth.