My cat breathes with her mouth open

Macedonia
March 9, 2012 1:42am CST
I think it could be a hairball stuck in her throat. She hasn't sleep the whole night. She doesn't eat, only drinks water. I would like to know how can I help her without taking her to the vet because there isn't any vet near here. I thought it might be an infection, so I gave her antibiotics, but that hasn't help.
5 responses
@valkyr (4)
• Italy
9 Mar 12
If i was you, i'd take her to the vet immediatly. They'll be the best ones to help her for sure.
1 person likes this
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
13 Mar 12
Any new development with this, jst? I 'm getting worried about the poor kitty cat. Have you been able to take her to the vet at all? I understand that there sometimes aren't that many vets around but if she is having trouble breathing that could be the reason why she is breathing through her mouth. Please keep us updated.
• Macedonia
13 Mar 12
Thank you NailTech, but my cat has deceased on Monday after midnight, at about 1:30 AM. She spat out a broken little rabbit bone. We ate rabbit for dinner and gave some to cats too. Now I don't think it were the anibiotics because I gave the same antibiotics only once at the same time to her son who is 1 year old, had a runny nose and sneezed. He got almost instantly better and that has shown no side effects. It could have been anything. I want to thank you all who gave me a piece of advice. Now I am taking care of her son, born on Easter last year. Quant a vet, It gets to me that it was impossible for me in this case, although, doing researches I also read about negative experiences too. I will remember this cat forever.
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
13 Mar 12
Ohhhh, I'm so sorry this has happened. I'm sure you will emember her with al your heart. I have had many cats that passed on too and I miss them all so much. It's sometimes bad for them to ingest bones, be careful not to give them those, especially chicken bones. Do you think she was choking on the bone?
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
13 Mar 12
Please also be careful not to give cats anything made with onion & garlic, even gravies, that can kill a cat. I'm not sure how your rabbit was prepared as I don't consume rabbit, but if you aren't sure something has any onions (and garlic) in it the best thing is not to give it to them. They do best on their cat food alone.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
9 Mar 12
From my experience with my two cats when they breathe through their mouth, they have a bad cold. Is your cat eating okay? Because when my cats started breathing through their mouths, they also couldn't eat because they can't smell their food. I just make sure that they have access to fresh water and I give them soft food until their colds go away. It's March and the start of the summer season for us here in my country and I have made sure that they have a lot of water because our temperatures are now going beyond ninety.
• Macedonia
9 Mar 12
Thanks anne25penn, My cat is now drinking water only. I gave her milk, but she didn't want to drink. Normally, she likes milk. At first I also thought it was a cold, since she is mostly outdoors and the temperatures were low lately, but now I am almost certain it is a hair ball. I just want to try everything before going to the vet. Thanks for any advice.
• United States
9 Mar 12
milk is not good for adult cats! Cats are not lactose tolerant. Even with kittens it's best to use KMS. A hairball would respond to water, or a bit of butter. It sounds like a cold, or an allergy. Keep her away from the milk, please!
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
9 Mar 12
If she has a hairball stuck in her throat she would be coughing. Is her nose runny? Does she sneeze or have runny eyes? Are you sure she isn't eating? It could be she doesn't like the cat food you are feeding her. Is she pooping okay? You realize that cats don't normally sleep all night. Cats are nocturnal animals (they do most of their activities at night) so they won't sleep that much. It could be allergies (cats do have allergies), she might not like the cat food, it could be a hair ball that can be taken care of with some mineral oil or caster oil. I can try to help but I need more information. I'm not a vet, but I do a LOT of research so I might be able to help.
• Macedonia
9 Mar 12
She was coughing at first, but now she has stopped coughing after being given antibiotics, and now she is breathing with efforts through her mouth what she didn't do before given antibiotics ( only 2 times ). I know that occurred by other cats after being given antibiotics by the vet and I hopped that wasn't going to happen with my cat. Her nose is not runny, but her eyes are. She is 2 years old and I am not sure that's cold or an infection, was doing quite well so far. Most probably I think, it is a hair ball, judging by the way she was coughing. I gave her some olive oil and she seemed to be better for a while after being given that. I give her her favorite food but she does not want to eat. She was not pooping last night. I just wanted to say that every night she at least takes a nap, but last night she seemed upset. Thanks for any advice.
@Lisona (177)
9 Mar 12
If you think something is not right with your cat, by all means take her to the vet they are trained to find underlaying problems, self heal is not good. especially if she is not eating. Worried now...poor wee thing.
@Lisona (177)
9 Mar 12
also can I add, you have different antibiotics for different infections, also you have to give a course usually a week, but the vet can do that with one injection if there is an infection.