Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

My cat is 18 years old! Well, she is on her way out (going downhill). She started peeing indoors so we had to add a litter box for her in the bathroom (where she pretty much now lives). She's got a nice cat hole bed in there as well.
She is lazy (always was)...sleeps, drinks much more than she used to, eats & poops.
When she breathes, it seems as if her body has a tough time.(difficult to describe) It's been like this ever since I can remember.
Well, anyway, I just noticed that she seems to now be breathing out of her mouth now to make it easier for her. It just doesn't look right and I'm concerned.
What do you think it could be? Oh! That's right, the vet had said she had a heart murmur years ago. Any other ideas? I mean, will she stop doing this breathing out of her mouth in a week, for example?
P.S. -- I love this cat to death; I had her since I was a child and now I am 27! Last year, I posted on here that she lost her meow...which she has. Someone posted back saying that it was fatal, etc, etc. Here it is a year later and still no meow and still no death. It is obviously a sympton of old age.

Thanks!

Your kitty probably needs a vet exam. Often older kitties will develop breathing problems late in life, particularly if they get fluid on the lungs.

She sounds like a real sweetheart and you seem to be making her comfortable.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Hi,

It's a week later and her breathing problem has gotten worse.
I think when she's asleep it doesn't bother her as much, but when I start petting her & she is up & about purring, it seems like she's having an increasingly difficult time. You could see it on her face...she just doesn't look very well.
I took some digital video footage, of this breathing, which I may try to upload to the net.
You mention water on the lungs. Perhaps that is what it is.
We're most likely going to take her to the vet at the weekend to get a better idea.
Going by what I've said, do you think her days are really limited now? Do you know of any other links where I can read.
I've tried a few searches but can't find relevant info about her symptoms.

thanks!

Awww! She does sound pretty sick and her age that's not really a good sign. Hopefully the vet visit will help you understand what is goint on. I can't think of any internet resources that could help you with your problem.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

3 weeks ago, we had to euthanize her. It was devestating.
We had a home visit in which the vet came to the house to do it.
They found that she had a growth in her throat & an enlarged heart. The vet removed as much of the growth as possible, but it didn't wind up helping her. She was gasping for breaths in the end and you could see on her face that she wasn't happy.
We were all so upset as I had her since I was 9 and my sister was 7...now I am 27...Sonja (the cat) was 18 and truly one of a kind in so many ways. She established herself as the Queen of Sheeba from day one. She never hunted & she would hang about the yard all day (or on our beds).
Here is a slide show I put together & sent out to all who knew & loved her through the years (loads quicker on broadband):
www.merulaproject.com/sonjaslife

>>3 weeks ago, we had to euthanize her. It was devestating.
>>We had a home visit in which the vet came to the house to do it.
I am sorry about Sonia. You obviously loved her! What a beautiful tribute!

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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!