Rapid breathing in 15 year Himilayan cat

Question
QUESTION: My cat has recently started to breathe hard, you can physically see her breathe which I have never seen in her 15 years.  My vet dx with Asthma. I went to a pulmonologist and she said she did not have asthma and that endoscopy would be to dangerous to find out the root of the cause.  My cat does not seem her normal self and I want to make sure she is not having trouble breathing.  I will do anything for her and just don't know where to turn at this point for help.  Please let me know if you have any ideas.  Thank you for any suggestions you may have.  I'm in Portland,OR.

ANSWER: Kari,
there is always the possibility that your cat has something other than asthma. I am guessing everyone did some xrays etc? Was the pulmonologist a veterinarian? I hope so.

She is going to act normal if her breathing is difficult. Cats are a lot like people when it comes to breathing- they really panic.
I don't know why endoscopy would be dangerous as they do them in humans all the time with compromised breathing. I am not saying you should have one done with her, but I don't understand her reasoning.

Is she on some drugs to help with the breathing? Did the xrays show any signs of a mass or a white area? Is she losing weight also?

If you are not getting any answers then I suggest you call a specialist in feline disease. There isn't a whole lot I can tell you other than that.
I asked about the xrays because tumors in the chest cavity can cause these same symptoms and cause respiratory distress and rapid breathing. You might also want to find a vet that can do an ultrasound.

I hope you find an answer soon Kari. Let me know how she does once you find out what it is.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the quick response. Yes x-rays were taken on three occasions. The vet specialist said she was not convinced she had asthma based on the radiographs. She is now on flovent 1x per day. she has been on prednisolone for inflammatory bowel disease for months.  she is on baytril nose drops and was on baytril tabs for a while because my vet thought the prednisolone was causing a sinus infection.  It wasn't until about three weeks ago she developed this rapid breathing.  The specialist thinks she may have an upper respiratory issue not a lower one. But it's like a balloon when she breathes. It's breaking my heart and I don't know who to take her to for resolution.
I appreciate all your feedback and guidance.  thank you!She is my baby and I'll do whatever it takes for her to have a comfortable life. I'm in Portland, OR. should you know someone I could take her to.
Thanks so much.
Worried sick!

Answer
Hi Kari,
I don't know any vets up there. I live in Northern California but my Dad lives in Salem, Oregon. I recently had a lot of phone contact with a Vet named Rachel Jacobs that works at an emergency clinic in Salem. We lost my late Mom's guide dog to cancer unexpectedly last weekend.

I don't know any of the vet's up in your area. You might just want to let your fingers do the walking and call around.

From what you are describing I would say your cat has COPD, which is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. What that is is like a human with Emphysema. It is in the upper brochials and there is medicine for it in people but for cats the flovent is probably all you can use. That and theophylline, which opens the airways. It comes in tablet form.

I know she is your baby Kari but remember that you hold the gift in your hand to end any suffering she starts to have when it gets to be too much. I know that is not what you want to hear but sometimes these things escalate quickly and I want you to be able to think now with a clear head about what you will do if that time comes.

Plan ahead and give yourself a guideline of when to say no more. She depends on you to take care of her in every way-even if that means saying goodbye when the time comes.

So look up all the vets and call them. Ask if they have treated a cat for COPD and then go from there. There are probably hundreds of qualified and quality vets up there.

I hope your search is fruitful and that she does well for a long time to come.
Thank you for the thoughtful feedback. I will be praying for you both.