Fine Old

Fine Old 27 Fine Old
What could be wrong if my old cat acts fine but started breathing more labored?

When she breathes, it looks like her stomach under her ribcage sucks in and out. It doesn’t seem to bother my 15 year old cat but it bother’s me. I don’t have money to run right to the vet. Will she be ok?
She is breathing the correct amt. of respirations per minute for a cat, she still purrs, jumps up on the bed, still drinking water and eating BUT it looks like her in/exhale is deeper and she seems somewhat thinner. Maybe I just took notice but it’s just been a slow aging process.

Not good. Your cat is having difficulty breathing. Cat’s are very good at masking illness until they just can’t take it anymore.

Something similar happened with my 15 year old female. I noticed she was breathing heavier, but let it go as it didn’t seem to be bothering her much and I just wrote it up to old age.

It got worse and one day she just laid down in one spot on the floor and wouldn’t move, kept crying a hideous cry and breathing real hard and raspy.

Needless to say this was her last desperate cry to be taken to the vet immediately. She had pneumonia as well as some other serious problems and only lasted a few days.

So let me put it this way. Your cat may be near her end, maybe not. She may also be in a lot of pain and you wouldn’t want her to suffer needlessly. You don’t have to authorize them to do all kinds of expensive tests. A simple examination may be able to tell you something.

Call a veterinary office and ask to talk to a vet or talk to a veterinary technician over the phone and explain what you are observing. They WILL talk to you. There is no charge for a phone call to a vet.

If they say she needs to come in ASAP you could try explaining your financial situation or calling different vets.