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Question

cat is male 16 years old....labored breathing.....won't eat or drink.....don't know if we should just put him down.....vets are costly.....don't want him to suffer

Submitted: 150 days and 5 hours ago.
Category: Cat
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Pet's Sex: Male
Pet's Age: >12

Already Tried:
JUST COMFORTING HIM

Posted by Drew 150 days and 5 hours ago.

Info Request

Hi, thanks for your question - I'm sorry to hear that your cat isn't doing well. How long has the problem been going on for?

150 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

2ND DAY

Posted by Drew 150 days and 5 hours ago.

Info Request

Has he been losing weight recently?

150 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

YES

Posted by Drew 150 days and 5 hours ago.

Answer

OK, thanks for the reply. The most common cause for an elderly cat to be losing weight and having trouble breathing, is a disorder of the lungs and/or heart. This can be fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema), fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion), or a tumor in the lungs (lung cancer). Other possibilities exist as well, such as heart failure. If you are unable to commit any financial resources to diagnostic testing, then euthanasia may be the kindest choice for this kitty. Unfortunately, even with an unlimited budget, the prognosis with this set of symptoms, is usually guarded to poor.

150 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

HOW CAN WE TELL IF IT IS NOT JUST A HAIRBALL THAT WON'T COME UP.....I KNOW THAT SOUNDS AWFULLY SIMPLISTIC BUT IS THAT POSSIBLE....OR WOULD SYMPTOMS BE DIFFERENT

Accepted Answer

Hairballs would not likely contribute to weight loss - but to be honest, if you want an exact diagnosis, an x-ray will be needed.

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Expert: Drew
Pos. Feedback: 99.5 %
Accepts: 560
Answered: 10/22/2009

Veterinarian

Small Animal Medicine and Surgery

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