Reasons Why Your Cat is Panting and Possible Treatment

Although panting in dogs is a common sight, cat panting symptoms are not very common cat behavior. A panting cat will normally take shallow breaths and will have its tongue sticking out. Cats may display this behavior after a long play session, when they are stressed out, or even when they are frightened. However, in most cases it may be an indicator of some serious cardiac ailment or metabolic problems.

Cat panting symptoms could be caused due to extreme weather conditions, especially hot and humid weather. Since they do not sweat like us, this is one way of lowering their body temperature. Cats never really exert themselves, especially when the temperatures rise. Hence, it is pretty unusual to see cats panting.

If the color of the tongue is pink, then the cat is probably suffering due to excessive heat. However, if the color of the tongue turns dark or even blue, then it is time to rush to the veterinarian immediately.

Cat panting symptoms may also be caused due to upper respiratory problems such as a growth in the nasal passage that may be causing a blockage. It may also be due to a problem in the lower respiratory tract, where there is insufficient exchange of gas, pulmonary edema, or even an asthmatic attack. Some allergies may also trigger off such reactions in cats.

The more serious problems are cardiac diseases in cats. This may cause Cat panting symptoms and this may include thrombosis, heartworm, or even stroke. It could also be due to pulmonary embolism.

Any trauma to the head and tumor in the brain may also result in such symptoms. Dysfunction in the respiratory muscles can also lead to other neurological problems and that may also cause these symptoms in cats.

In case you notice breathing difficulties, loss in appetite, coughing, bluish coloration of the mucus membranes, fatigue, weight loss, drinking excess water, diarrhea or any such symptoms, then you should seek medical help immediately.

The veterinarian may put the cat on IV fluids and carry out some diagnostic tests that may include ECG, chest X-ray, blood chemistry, etc. The treatment will be given following the test results.