abdominal breathing

Question
My cat almost died and was finally diagnosed with severe Vit B12 deficiency, IBS, pancreatitis, over growth of bacteria . . . and now, because he wasn't absorbing nutrients, is on pancreatic enzyme powder, B12 shots, Metronidazole and Prednisone (which has been tapered way down). He was skin and bones at 6 pounds and with all the meds, he is a new kitty, happy and up to 9 pounds. I have noticed for a while though that he breathes more from his lower belly, and I wonder if he does this because of possible pancreatic pain -- that maybe it doesn't hurt so much when he doesn't fully inflate his chest. i am a nurse and know people splint their abdomens after surgery when they breathe or cough. Can't find any literature on this and am hoping their isn't a mass causing this.

Answer
Hi Linda.  Poor, poor kitty!  I'm glad he's recovering!  There can be many reasons for lower abdominal breathing.  It tends to be an indication that a cat is making a conscious effort to inhale and exhale as opposed to the automatic upper chest breathing that we usually see.  

Diaphragmatic breathing can be caused by abdominal discomfort but also by fluid in the abdomen, which is sometimes seen with cats who have IBS.  Enough fluid in the belly can cause some pressure on the lungs and some difficulty breathing.  There are other reasons for fluid in the abdomen, too, including liver disease, renal failure, and cancerous masses or even infectious diseases like feline leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis.  Or fluid may be present in the chest area, because of heart failure or cancer or even chylothorax.  A vet can often feel the presence of fluid in the belly and will sometimes suspect the presence of fluid in the chest by the sound of the heart beat.  X-rays can usually confirm fluid in both areas.  A mass, of course, is something else that could impede normal breathing, and that may also appear on an x-ray.

There are problems like asthma that could be the issue, too.  Again, an x-ray may give the vet a good idea as to whether the is the cause of his abnormal breathing or not.  My asthmatic cat takes theophylline, a bronchodilator, and prednisone twice daily while she suffers attacks.

I imagine this is probably not the case, but prednisone has the potential to cause dehydration if the kitty's urination increases but his water consumption does not.  If he became dehydrated, his electrolytes could become imbalanced, and that can cause breathing problems.  

It may just be that the pancreatitis is still pretty painful and a little pain reliever might help with, but I would certainly bring it to the attention of the vet.  It would probably be a good idea to have another once over done on him just in case.