High Resting Respiratory Rate

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Jessica & furbaby Indie

Jessica & furbaby Indie

Member Since 2016
Any of your cats with diabetes have high resting respiratory rates?

My girl lately has been breathing 90+ breaths a min! Now I should mention sometimes it seems to be due to a tiny purr in there. So am guessing that could change everything??? And its not all the time but often....and when sleeping! Right now she is just laying down but awake and is 54 breaths a min. Ugh, told my internal medicine vet specialist and she said to bring her in for chest xrays right away. And if nothing is found then to see a cardiologist. Between my two cats all I do is go to vets. This is crazy. Am starting to think I know too much and if I just didn't know everything to look for maybe they would just be fine. Like how many cat owners know how to take their cats vitals? I am so overly concerned with every little detail about their health but am I over doing it? Ugh this poor baby has become so aggressive since getting insulin I can't bare the thought of bringing her in for xrays!!

Thoughts?? Prayers would be so appreciated too :) :) :) Thnx!! ❤
 
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If it's a purr, the resp will look much faster in some cats but it's worth getting it checked out.

Explain your comment 'become so aggressive since getting insulin' please...

HUGS!
 
Squeaky and KT (GA) said:
If it's a purr, the resp will look much faster in some cats but it's worth getting it checked out.

Explain your comment 'become so aggressive since getting insulin' please...

HUGS!
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She now bites, hisses or claws anyone (except me) who come by her. She even has swiped at me twice. So unlike her. I feel so bad as I know that's not her.
 
She's looking like she's aiming to get off the Lantus. Some cats have been reported here as having behavior changes on a particular insulin. If she doesn't feel good on it, she may be 'venting' by swatting at people.


ps it should be possible to get the spreadsheet to freeze the top several rows so you don't have to repeat them every page or so.
 
I thought Dre was doing good on lantus (personality) and the was ok.... then I switched to lev and it is a HUGE difference.... He is like he was pre FD-
I wish I had switched a long time ago.
Also with the rr I have another (not diabetic) with a heart issue and his cardio does not want his rr over 50-he gets a small dose of lasix and it is now 28 sleeping but like I said he has heart/fluid issues....
:bighug::bighug:
 
Is the rapid breathing new or had he always been this way? Does he sneeze or cough at all?
 
At er vet now. She wouldn't stop purring. Couldn't get a good read. Monitored most of night then around 3:45am she made a loud noise. She went limp. Brought her to er vet. She is upstairs with vet now. Please pray for my baby girl!
 
Jessica & furbaby Indie said:
At er vet now. She wouldn't stop purring. Couldn't get a good read. Monitored most of night then around 3:45am she made a loud noise. She went limp. Brought her to er vet. She is upstairs with vet now. Please pray for my baby girl!
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Oh no! Glad you are there to get her help right away! What does the vet think it is? Heart problems? Pneumonia? I'll say a prayer.
 
JanetNJ said:
Oh no! Glad you are there to get her help right away! What does the vet think it is? Heart problems? Pneumonia? I'll say a prayer.
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Here at this hospital they just take the animal from you which I hate! So I have no clue anything yet. The girl at front desk just grabbed my cat and took her upstairs for dr to look at her.
 
Jessica & furbaby Indie said:
Here at this hospital they just take the animal from you which I hate! So I have no clue anything yet. The girl at front desk just grabbed my cat and took her upstairs for dr to look at her.
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Yikes that's even more nerve wracking. I would think that the dr would want to ask you questions directly but maybe they just want to stabilize her first.
 
JanetNJ said:
Yikes that's even more nerve wracking. I would think that the dr would want to ask you questions directly but maybe they just want to stabilize her first.
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I know! How do they even know what to do?!? I told the intake girl she is diabetic, breathing 90+ bpm. Made loud noise went limp. She is a patient here so they should have her history but she literally has only seen the vet specialist here one time. I did inform the vet specialist earlier in day about her breathing and she said bring her in. But I wasn't sure I was getting accurate reads because she was purring ao much.
 
Jessica & furbaby Indie said:
I know! How do they even know what to do?!? I told the intake girl she is diabetic, breathing 90+ bpm. Made loud noise went limp. She is a patient here so they should have her history but she literally has only seen the vet specialist here one time. I did inform the vet specialist earlier in day about her breathing and she said bring her in. But I wasn't sure I was getting accurate reads because she was purring ao much.
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Sometimes pouring is for self soothing when they are stressed out in pain. I hope you get some feedback soon. How long has she been with the dr?
 
Dr just came down. Said they are going to do a chest xray now. That overall she seems fine.

Then why was my cat making a weird sound and completely limp?!! I know for certain its the adrenaline here keeping her going. I have witnessed this with my sisters cat. They sent us home saying everything was fine. Go home and he is moaning in pain. Had urinary blockage. Had to rush him back to hospital. Ugh. I am sticking to my guns that she is NOT okay. I KNOW my cat. Weird noises and going limp I have NEVER witnessed before.
 
Jessica & furbaby Indie said:
Dr just came down. Said they are going to do a chest xray now. That overall she seems fine.

Then why was my cat making a weird sound and completely limp?!! I know for certain its the adrenaline here keeping her going. I have witnessed this with my sisters cat. They sent us home saying everything was fine. Go home and he is moaning in pain. Had urinary blockage. Had to rush him back to hospital. Ugh. I am sticking to my guns that she is NOT okay. I KNOW my cat. Weird noises and going limp I have NEVER witnessed before.
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I'm glad that overall she seems ok... Good move doing the x ray. Clearly SOMETHING is going on.
 
They did say they detected a small heart murmur. She didn't have one in August when diagnosed with diabetes. Ugh. But my other kitty has one too and has for many years so not too worried about that. Plus they said its about a 1 on a scale of 1-6. Praying for some answers from the chest xray.
 
Jessica & furbaby Indie said:
They did say they detected a small heart murmur. She didn't have one in August when diagnosed with diabetes. Ugh. But my other kitty has one too and has for many years so not too worried about that. Plus they said its about a 1 on a scale of 1-6. Praying for some answers from the chest xray.
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She hasn't been sneezing or coughing?
 
Oh and they told me they tried taking her BG from ear and was 33! So took from the vein in her leg and was 115. What?! What kind of test strips are they using! Why would the test be wonky at the vet. How bizarre.
 
Just reading up on this. How scary for you :bighug:

Have they run blood work. Anemia or low hemoglobin can also cause an elevated respiration rate amongst other things. It would be good to get a blood panel done since you are already there.

Sending prayers :bighug: :bighug:
 
I did experience this type of breathing with my previous cat when she was Hyperthyroid. But Indie is overweight and not having any of the other signs but you just never know. So I will definitely ask for that as well.
 
Jessica & furbaby Indie said:
Oh and they told me they tried taking her BG from ear and was 33! So took from the vein in her leg and was 115. What?! What kind of test strips are they using! Why would the test be wonky at the vet. How bizarre.
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Wow that's really low. Could she have fainted from hypoglycemia???? There is a margin of error with any test strip, and the stress from being at the vet can make the numbers rise. I'm thinking now she may have passed out from low blood sugar. Did you test her at home before bringing her to the vet?
 
So no for sure answer from chest xray. They r going to send it out to a radiologist. Her bp was low. She still is having rapid breathing. Maybe congestive heart failure but they aren't certain. I am so scared. I don't know what to do.

They said typically they hospitalize for this but something about because she doesn't seem to need oxygen they may send her home?

They are doing an in house test of the blood panel... Am sure am wording things wrong. So will have that back in 20 mins BUT doesn't include thyroid panel which she wasn't concerned about.
 
JanetNJ said:
Wow that's really low. Could she have fainted from hypoglycemia???? There is a margin of error with any test strip, and the stress from being at the vet can make the numbers rise. I'm thinking now she may have passed out from low blood sugar. Did you test her at home before bringing her to the vet?
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No I didn't. Because I tested her at +3 and was over 100 so that never even crossed my mind.
 
Am going to see if they have a can of Purina DM I can feed her. Wonder if she will eat. She is now by me while we wait for the radiologist to get back to us with a better reading of the chest xray.
 
Did they see any fluid in the chest cavity when they did the xray. With CHF that is one of the things that can cause breathing problems.

ETA the blood work may show more. The T4 test can be sent out if they can't do the test there
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
Did they see any fluid in the chest cavity when they did the xray. With CHF that is one of the things that can cause breathing problems.
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Dr couldn't say definitively said was hazy. And thata why radiologist is now going to review but has to be "sent out" for review so could be 45 mins till we get the review.
 
Thanks...they are probably sending it to IDEXX or one of the other specialized labs which is a good thing since they have board certified radiologists on staff.
Also if the BP is very low that can certainly cause breathing problems, since oxygen is not getting to the lungs properly.

CHF can be treated with medications. The big concern would be to see if there is any fluid in the chest cavity since that would have to be removed to relieve the breathing problems. If there is fluid build up they may want to put her on a diuretic.. There are treatments once the problem is properly diagnosed.

Sending many prayers and lots of :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
Did they tell you what the blood pressure reading was?
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94...guessing thats the top number.

And usually a cats bp is elevated at vet due to stress. So if thats her high number then that can't be good. She is laying on my arm shaking and purring so loud. Definitely not an affectionate purr!! She is freaking out.
 
OK that would be the systolic measurement and that is definitely on the low end. Normal is between 120-180 with 180 getting into hypertension.

This could be from possible CHF or from a very low glucose reading amongst other things


ETA What was the glucose reading from the lab machine when they did the blood work?
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
OK that would be the systolic measurement and that is definitely on the low end. Normal is between 120-180 with 180 getting into hypertension.

This could be from possible CHF or from a very low glucose reading amongst other things


ETA What was the glucose reading from the lab machine when they did the blood work?
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Bg was 115 from blood in vein. But was 33 originally when they tested her ear! Isn't that weird?! She is only on 0.1 units and would not have been so low at +7....so I don't believe the 33 reading. BUT i do know typically her BG gets elevated in stressful situations. So the 115 may have been crom stress and 33 was right?? But still doesn't explain rapid breathing for days.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
Did they see any fluid in the chest cavity when they did the xray. With CHF that is one of the things that can cause breathing problems.

ETA the blood work may show more. The T4 test can be sent out if they can't do the test there
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I am so glad u suggested blood panel because they never even did AND had taken blood to test her BG. So they had it. I was the one to suggest it (thanks to u). Wow.
 
Jessica & furbaby Indie said:
I am so glad u suggested blood panel because they never even did AND had taken blood to test her BG. So they had it. I was the one to suggest it (thanks to u). Wow.
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Blood work is always indicated with these sort of problems since there are numerous problems that need to be ruled out. Even if the xrays show fluid in the chest cavity they should still have a full blood panel done before starting any treatment or meds.
 
So radiologist says no congestive heart failure. Blood work came back good. She is a bit dehydrated. They are retaking her bp now. Amd planning on sending us home. But what about the rapid breathing? What about the loud noise, what about her going completely limp and not responding to me petting her or picking her up. What?!? Ugh.
 
Jessica

Any word on blood work or radiologist report? :bighug:
Jessica & furbaby Indie said:
So radiologist says no congestive heart failure. Blood work came back good. She is a bit dehydrated. They are retaking her bp now. Amd planning on sending us home. But what about the rapid breathing? What about the loud noise, what about her going completely limp and not responding to me petting her or picking her up. What?!? Ugh.
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Good news on the CHF and blood work.

They could give her some Sub Q fluid for the dehydration, but if she is only a bit dehydrated that should not cause the rapid breathing or limpness she experienced. And if the BP is still low along with rapid breathing then there is a problem.

What exactly was the loud noise and did it just happen the once before she went limp or has it happened again since?


ETA Has the vet given any thought to a minor stroke?
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
Jessica

Any word on blood work or radiologist report? :bighug:



Good news on the CHF and blood work.

They could give her some Sub Q fluid for the dehydration, but if she is only a bit dehydrated that should not cause the rapid breathing or limpness she experienced. And if the BP is still low along with rapid breathing then there is a problem.

What exactly was the loud noise and did it just happen the once before she went limp or has it happened again since?
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The noise came from within her like I thought something popped or burst and happened right before going limp. But no have not heard again. And they just said her bp is normal at 130.

She mentioned there could be a clot but her pulse (she calles it something else) was fine which means she is getting oxygen fine which leads her to believe there is no clot.

That the only other step I could take is meet with a cardiologist and get an ekg.

ETA but she said she didn't think it was heart related and would be worth it.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
Jessica

Any word on blood work or radiologist report? :bighug:



Good news on the CHF and blood work.

They could give her some Sub Q fluid for the dehydration, but if she is only a bit dehydrated that should not cause the rapid breathing or limpness she experienced. And if the BP is still low along with rapid breathing then there is a problem.

What exactly was the loud noise and did it just happen the once before she went limp or has it happened again since?


ETA Has the vet given any thought to a minor stroke?
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No.... She never mentioned stroke.
 
Jessica & furbaby Indie said:
No.... She never mentioned stroke.
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I don't know if kitties can have a TIA (mini stroke) like people can. It is something in people that usually only lasts a few minutes, but can be a warning sign of potential future heart problems. This could be way off base but I am just tossing out things to ask about. There needs to be some explanation for the rapid breathing and low blood pressure


ETA Found this very quickly..they may know more about this

Track how long the symptoms last. Stroke symptoms usually last at least twenty-four hours in a cat. You should take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as you observe symptoms, but that might not always be possible. Like humans, cats can have a mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). This means that the symptoms may begin to subside after a day; however, you should still take your cat to the veterinarian even if symptoms decrease in severity.
  • These temporary signs are a strong indication that there is a problem requiring further medical investigation to prevent the cat from having a full-blown stroke in the near future.
 
wow--I am just seeing this.... I am so sorry Jessica!
This is crazy and your vet is upsetting even me:confused:
I would have a cardio look at her.....my vet took X-rays of my cat with heart issue and said if he was just looking and not knowing he wouldn't be alarmed:eek:
In the meantime my cardio has him on vetmedin and lasix and he is doing great now....(he can no longer have fluids unless really needs them and very small amount at a time )
sending prayers....:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
wow--I am just seeing this.... I am so sorry Jessica!
This is crazy and your vet is upsetting even me:confused:
I would have a cardio look at her.....my vet took X-rays of my cat with heart issue and said if he was just looking and not knowing he wouldn't be alarmed:eek:
In the meantime my cardio has him on vetmedin and lasix and he is doing great now....(he can no longer have fluids unless really needs them and very small amount at a time )
sending prayers....:bighug::bighug::bighug:
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I have an appointment for Tuesday with a cardiologist.

Meanwhile my vet specialist suggested going down to one shot of insulin in case that 33 BG reading was accurate. Thoughts??? I hate to go down to one and have her BG readings increase and we never get off of this.
 
What readings are you getting at home? I would tend to trust the lab machine reading more than the meter reading at the vets.
 
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