The sight of your cat struggling to breathe, or worse, not breathing at all, is a terrifying experience for any pet owner. Time is of the essence in such situations, and knowing how to react can significantly increase your cat’s chances of survival. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of recognizing respiratory distress, performing emergency first aid, and understanding the potential causes and veterinary treatment required when your feline companion stops breathing.
Recognizing Respiratory Distress in Cats
Before your cat completely stops breathing (apnea), they will likely exhibit signs of respiratory distress, also known as dyspnea. Recognizing these early warning signs is crucial for prompt intervention.
Increased Respiratory Rate: A normal resting respiratory rate for a cat is between 20 and 30 breaths per minute. Count the number of breaths they take over 15 seconds and multiply by four to get breaths per minute. If it’s consistently above 30, it’s a red flag.
Labored Breathing: This involves visible effort to breathe. You might see exaggerated movements of the chest and abdomen, or even flared nostrils. Your cat might also be extending their neck to help open their airway.
Open-Mouth Breathing: Cats rarely breathe through their mouths unless they’re extremely stressed or in respiratory distress. This is a serious sign and requires immediate attention.
Coughing or Wheezing: These sounds indicate a potential obstruction or inflammation in the airways. Listen carefully and note any unusual noises.
Cyanosis (Blue Gums or Tongue): This is a critical sign that your cat isn’t getting enough oxygen. The gums and tongue will appear bluish or purplish. This indicates a severe emergency.
Changes in Posture: A cat struggling to breathe might adopt an unusual posture, such as crouching low to the ground with their elbows spread out, or extending their neck.
Pawing at the Mouth or Face: This could indicate an obstruction in the mouth or throat.
Restlessness or Anxiety: Cats experiencing respiratory distress are often anxious and restless. They may pace, pant, or vocalize excessively.
Lethargy or Weakness: In severe cases, your cat may become weak or lethargic due to lack of oxygen.
Recognizing even one of these signs warrants a trip to the vet. Multiple signs, especially cyanosis or open-mouth breathing, require an immediate emergency veterinary visit.
Emergency First Aid: What To Do When Your Cat Stops Breathing
If your cat stops breathing, act quickly and calmly. Every second counts.
Assess the Situation: Before approaching your cat, ensure your own safety. An anxious or scared cat might bite or scratch.
Check for Responsiveness: Gently try to rouse your cat. Call their name, touch them, or try gently shaking them.
Open the Airway: Carefully open your cat’s mouth and look for any obvious obstructions like a foreign object, vomit, or excessive saliva. If you see something, gently try to remove it with your fingers. Be careful not to push it further down.
The Cat CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation):
- Positioning: Lay your cat on their right side on a firm, flat surface.
- Chest Compressions: Place one hand directly over the cat’s heart (located behind the elbow of the front leg). If the cat is very small, use only your thumb and fingers. Compress the chest approximately 1 to 1.5 inches at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Think of the song “Stayin’ Alive” to help keep the rhythm.
- Rescue Breathing: Close your cat’s mouth and hold it shut. Extend the neck slightly. Place your mouth over your cat’s nose, creating a seal. Give two slow, gentle breaths, watching for the chest to rise. Do not overinflate the lungs.
- Cycle: Perform 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths. Continue this cycle until your cat starts breathing on their own, or until you reach veterinary care.
Transport to Veterinary Care: Even if your cat seems to start breathing again after CPR, it is absolutely crucial to get them to a veterinarian immediately. They need professional assessment and treatment to address the underlying cause of the respiratory arrest.
Call Ahead: If possible, call the emergency veterinary clinic while you’re on your way to let them know you’re coming and that your cat has stopped breathing. This will allow them to prepare for your arrival.
Understanding Potential Causes of Respiratory Arrest
Many factors can lead to a cat stopping breathing. Understanding these potential causes can help you be more vigilant and potentially prevent some emergencies.
Asthma: Feline asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing and potentially respiratory arrest in severe cases.
Heart Disease: Conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can cause fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), making it difficult for the cat to breathe.
Pneumonia: Infection of the lungs can cause inflammation and fluid accumulation, impairing oxygen exchange.
Pleural Effusion: Fluid accumulation in the space between the lungs and the chest wall can compress the lungs and make it difficult for the cat to breathe.
Foreign Body Obstruction: A foreign object lodged in the trachea or bronchi can block airflow. This could be anything from a piece of food to a toy.
Trauma: Chest trauma, such as from a car accident or a fall, can damage the lungs and impair breathing.
Toxins: Exposure to certain toxins, such as smoke inhalation, can damage the lungs and cause respiratory distress.
Anesthesia Complications: Although rare, complications during or after anesthesia can sometimes lead to respiratory arrest.
Upper Respiratory Infections: Severe upper respiratory infections can sometimes lead to secondary pneumonia or airway obstruction, resulting in difficulty breathing.
Veterinary Treatment for Respiratory Arrest
Veterinary treatment for a cat that has stopped breathing is intensive and aims to stabilize the cat, identify the underlying cause, and provide appropriate supportive care.
Oxygen Therapy: The first priority is to provide supplemental oxygen. This can be administered via a mask, nasal cannula, or oxygen cage.
Airway Management: If the airway is obstructed, the veterinarian will attempt to remove the obstruction. In severe cases, a tracheostomy (surgical opening into the trachea) may be necessary.
Medications: Medications may be administered to address the underlying cause of the respiratory arrest. These may include:
- Bronchodilators to open up the airways (e.g., terbutaline, albuterol).
- Diuretics to remove fluid from the lungs (e.g., furosemide).
- Antibiotics to treat pneumonia.
- Steroids to reduce inflammation.
Fluid Therapy: Intravenous fluids may be administered to support blood pressure and hydration.
Monitoring: The cat will be closely monitored for vital signs, including heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
Diagnostics: The veterinarian will perform diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of the respiratory arrest. These tests may include:
- Blood tests (complete blood count, biochemistry profile, blood gas analysis).
- Radiographs (X-rays) of the chest.
- Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart).
- Endoscopy (visual examination of the airways).
- Fluid analysis (if pleural effusion is present).
The treatment plan will be tailored to the specific cause of the respiratory arrest. The prognosis will depend on the underlying condition, the severity of the respiratory arrest, and the cat’s overall health.
Preventative Measures to Protect Your Cat
While not all respiratory emergencies are preventable, you can take steps to minimize the risk of your cat experiencing breathing problems.
Regular Veterinary Checkups: Annual or bi-annual checkups can help detect underlying health conditions early, before they become severe.
Vaccinations: Vaccinating your cat against respiratory diseases can help prevent infections that can lead to breathing problems.
Parasite Control: Heartworm disease can cause respiratory problems in cats. Regular heartworm prevention is essential.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Obesity can exacerbate respiratory problems. Keep your cat at a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise.
Creating a Smoke-Free Environment: Secondhand smoke can damage your cat’s lungs. Avoid smoking indoors.
Keeping Toxic Substances Out of Reach: Store cleaning products, medications, and other potentially toxic substances out of your cat’s reach.
Providing a Safe Environment: Prevent access to small objects that your cat could swallow and choke on.
Managing Allergens: If your cat has allergies, work with your veterinarian to manage them effectively.
When Should You Euthanize?
Euthanasia is a difficult but sometimes necessary decision when a cat is suffering from a severe and irreversible respiratory condition. The decision should be made in consultation with your veterinarian, taking into account the cat’s quality of life, prognosis, and response to treatment. If the cat is in constant pain, unable to breathe comfortably, and has a very poor chance of recovery, euthanasia may be the most humane option. It is essential to consider the cat’s well-being and prioritize their comfort and dignity.
Conclusion
A cat stopping breathing is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate action. By recognizing the signs of respiratory distress, knowing how to perform CPR, and seeking prompt veterinary care, you can significantly increase your cat’s chances of survival. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Regular veterinary checkups, vaccinations, parasite control, and a safe environment can help minimize the risk of your cat experiencing respiratory emergencies. Being prepared and knowing what to do can make all the difference in saving your beloved feline friend.
What are the most common causes of a cat stopping breathing?
Obstructions in the airway are a significant cause, whether from foreign objects, tumors, or swelling due to allergic reactions. Underlying health conditions such as heart disease, asthma, pneumonia, and trauma from accidents can also lead to respiratory arrest. Certain toxins and medications can also impair breathing, making prompt identification and removal of the causal agent vital.
Furthermore, anesthesia complications or pre-existing respiratory infections can sometimes trigger breathing difficulties that escalate to a complete cessation of breathing. Recognizing potential risk factors related to your cat’s lifestyle, breed predispositions, and health history can assist in proactive measures to prevent respiratory emergencies.
How quickly should I react if my cat stops breathing?
Immediate action is critical. Brain damage due to lack of oxygen can occur within just a few minutes, and irreversible damage or death can occur within a short timeframe. Seconds matter, so begin emergency procedures immediately while simultaneously arranging for transport to the nearest veterinary clinic.
Rapid assessment and initiation of rescue breathing or CPR can significantly improve your cat’s chances of survival. Time is of the essence, so having a plan in place and knowing the location of your nearest emergency veterinary clinic is highly beneficial.
How do I perform rescue breathing on a cat?
First, gently extend your cat’s neck to straighten the airway, ensuring the tongue is pulled forward. Then, close the cat’s mouth and hold it shut, placing your mouth over the cat’s nose to create a seal. Deliver two small breaths, observing for chest rise.
If the chest doesn’t rise, recheck the airway for obstructions and reposition the head. Continue administering breaths approximately every 5-6 seconds (about 10-12 breaths per minute) until you observe signs of improvement or reach veterinary assistance. Monitor closely for any signs of spontaneous breathing.
When should I start chest compressions on my cat?
Chest compressions should begin if rescue breathing is not producing any signs of life, such as a heartbeat or spontaneous breathing. You will also need to administer them if you cannot detect a pulse, even after a few rounds of rescue breathing. Absence of either of these signs indicates the need for CPR.
The location for compressions depends on the cat’s body shape. For cats with a keel chest (narrow chest), compressions should be done directly over the heart. For rounder-chested cats, compressions should be done over the widest part of the chest.
How do I perform chest compressions on a cat?
Place one hand directly over your cat’s heart or the widest part of their chest, depending on their body shape, as previously described. Using your other hand for support, compress the chest about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
After every 30 compressions, deliver two breaths using the rescue breathing technique. Continue cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths until you see signs of life, such as spontaneous breathing, or until you arrive at the veterinary clinic.
What are the signs of life I should be looking for when administering CPR?
Signs of life include the cat resuming normal breathing, regaining consciousness or showing signs of movement, or a return of a detectable heartbeat. Monitoring for any of these indicators while administering rescue breathing and chest compressions is essential.
Even a slight flicker of the eyelids or a weak pulse can indicate that your efforts are having a positive impact. Continue CPR until you arrive at the veterinary clinic, unless the cat definitively regains consciousness and normal breathing patterns.
What can a veterinarian do that I cannot do at home?
Veterinarians have access to life-saving equipment such as oxygen supplementation, intubation for secure airway management, advanced cardiac monitoring, and emergency medications. They can also perform more thorough examinations to identify and address the underlying cause of the respiratory arrest.
Furthermore, veterinarians can administer intravenous fluids, perform diagnostic tests like bloodwork and radiographs, and provide specialized care that is impossible to replicate at home. Prompt veterinary intervention greatly increases the chances of a successful resuscitation and recovery for your cat.