Breathing Difficulties

Cats and dogs suffer a variety of problems than can lead to increased rate or increased effort of breathing.  When breathing is ineffective, tongue and gums can turn purple or blue (called cyanosis) and patients are usually anxious. 

 Breathing difficulties can arise from irritation to oropharynx, nose, upper airways or lower airways and lungs, partial obstructions, lung disease, chest wall disease, allergic airway disease (asthma) and a variety of problems in the chest. 

Infections (pyothorax, pneumonia), aspiration of material into the lungs and airways, cancer, electric shock, heart failure, rib fractures, head trauma, seizures and certain metabolic diseases can cause altered breathing. 

Abnormal and noisy breathing in warm weather can reflect upper airway problems, including laryngeal edema or paralysis.  Old labradors are often affected with gradual paralysis of the vocal cords that leads to acute upper airway obstruction during exertion in hot humid weather. These dogs need immediate help, and ultimately may benefit from surgery to pull the vocal folds out of the way.  

Short faced dogs often have elongated soft palates, which can become entrapped in the epiglottis and present in acute distress;  over time much damage can occur and, sooner better than later, surgery to shorten the elongated soft palate is in their best interest. 

Many small dogs have weak and collapsing tracheas, exacerbated by exertion or excitement and resulting in cough, noisy breathing and sometime fainting. 

Cats can be subtle about impending crisis.  Fluid accumulating in chest or lungs may not affect them until it is very advanced, and they can then decompensate very rapidly.  Cats with rapid breathing, open mouth breathing, noisy breathing, etc, should be evaluated right away.

Upper respiratory infection can manifest, especially in cats, with nasal discharge and sneezing or snorting.  This is less urgent, but they are uncomfortable and would benefit from care as soon as possible.

In general, a patient with open mouth breathng, turning blue, having noisy breathing, struggling to breath or becoming exhausted by the work of breathing need immediate care, which often involves oxygen, mediation to reduce anxiety and specific therapy based on their actual problem.

Pet Poisonings: Algae | Antifreeze | Chocolate | Easter Lily, Other Lily plants, and Cats | Garbage Intoxication | Grapes and Raisins | Household and Prescription Medications | Lawn and Garden Chemicals | Mushrooms | Poinsettias | Potpourri Oils | Rodent Poisons | Varmint Poisons, Other | Xylitol toxicity