When to see a vet urgently
Seek immediate emergency care if your cat develops:
- open-mouth breathing or clearly increased breathing effort;
- bluish mucous membranes, collapse or altered consciousness;
- loud breathing noises alongside restlessness and weakness;
- sudden breathing difficulty after suspected foreign material, an injury or a procedure.
Do not wait for every sign to appear. Call the practice before leaving and explain the breathing difficulty so staff can prepare. You can find a vet near you.
Overview
A cat's upper airways comprise the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, larynx and trachea. When these narrow, lung ventilation is impaired, oxygen supply falls and respiratory failure worsens. The problem can develop suddenly, for example through swelling or a foreign body, or gradually with polyps and tumours.
Obstruction often occurs in young cats because of nasopharyngeal polyps and in older cats because of tumours.
Age helps guide investigation, but does not determine the diagnosis. Noisy breathing in a young cat does not automatically mean a polyp, nor a nasal symptom in an older cat a tumour. Obstruction location matters too: problems in the nasopharynx, larynx and lower airways can need different investigations and treatment.
A low, snoring noise and a high-pitched whistling sound are different. Snoring-type noise often relates to the nasopharynx, whereas stridor may suggest a laryngeal or tracheal problem. However, the sound cannot safely determine obstruction severity at home. Breathing effort and general health are also assessed.
Causes
- Nasopharyngeal polyps in young cats.
- Tumours of the nose, throat or larynx, including adenocarcinomas and lymphomas.
- Inflammation, including nasopharyngitis and laryngitis.
- Swelling of the lining due to allergy or infection.
- Foreign bodies in the airways.
- Injuries and postoperative complications.
An inflammatory nasopharyngeal polyp is usually benign. Nevertheless, it can grow large enough to make breathing or swallowing difficult. It may also involve the middle ear, causing ear discharge, head shaking, head tilt or balance problems. Report these symptoms even if breathing is your main concern.
A less common possibility is impaired laryngeal movement: the cartilages do not open normally during breathing. Examining the nasal cavity alone is then insufficient. A changed voice and difficulty swallowing may also help locate the problem, but examination is needed to establish their cause.
Risk factors
- young cats, because of polyp risk;
- older cats, because of tumour risk;
- chronic upper respiratory infections;
- allergic reactions;
- exposure to irritants, including smoke, dust and chemicals.
Risk factors do not apply equally to every cause of obstruction. For example, a link between polyps and particular viral or bacterial infections has been suspected but not confirmed. The listed exposures cannot therefore all be given equal weight in explaining an individual cat's disease. Prevention also does not guarantee that structural narrowing will not develop.
Typical symptoms
- noisy breathing and a high-pitched sound on inhalation, known as stridor;
- snoring and rattling sounds during sleep;
- open-mouth breathing;
- rapid breathing and breathlessness;
- sneezing and coughing;
- discharge from the nose or mouth;
- bluish mucous membranes, known as cyanosis, in severe obstruction;
- loss of consciousness with sudden complete blockage.
Not every cat has every symptom. A change in voice or appetite may appear before obvious breathlessness. Nasal discharge alone does not establish bacterial infection, and its absence does not rule out a deeper lesion. Repeated or progressive symptoms need investigation even if they sometimes improve.
During breathing difficulty, handling, excitement and exertion can worsen the situation. Keep your cat as calm as possible and avoid compressing the chest or neck. Do not try to examine deep in the throat or remove an unseen foreign object yourself. Attempts at home cannot replace an open airway and professional care.
Complications and consequences
- chronic respiratory failure;
- oxygen shortage in the brain and internal organs;
- pulmonary oedema;
- death with sudden complete obstruction.
Even partial obstruction can be serious if breathing effort increases and your cat tires. Some airflow or a brief ability to walk does not establish safety. The aim is to treat the breathing problem before oxygen shortage and exhaustion worsen, rather than wait for blue mucous membranes.
Diagnosis at the vet
- a clinical examination and listening to breathing;
- endoscopy of the nose and larynx to see polyps, tumours and foreign bodies;
- head and neck X-rays and CT;
- cell or tissue samples from tumours;
- blood tests to assess general health.
The order of investigations depends on breathing stability. A cat with severe symptoms receives support first, and preparations to secure the airway are made before detailed throat or laryngeal examination. Sedation or anaesthesia may be needed, so the practice must be able to maintain breathing during these too.
CT shows the location and extent of a lesion. Endoscopy can reveal the lining, narrowing and any foreign body. The methods complement each other: a visible mass does not always reveal its origin or how deeply it extends.
A cell or tissue sample helps distinguish inflammation from different tumour types. A removed polyp may be examined to confirm its nature. Treatment of a suspected tumour is not selected on appearance alone. Spread and your cat's other health conditions also affect the plan.
Blood tests assess general health and investigation safety, but routine bloodwork does not usually establish the exact cause of nasopharyngeal obstruction. Explain symptom onset and progression, previous anaesthesia, injuries and medicines used. A recording obtained safely beforehand may help with the history.
Treatment
- urgently opening the airway in acute obstruction through foreign body removal, intubation or a tracheostomy;
- surgical removal of nasopharyngeal polyps;
- tumour surgery or radiotherapy;
- anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce swelling;
- antibiotics for infections;
- oxygen therapy in respiratory failure.
Oxygen supports the body, but alone does not remove a fixed mechanical blockage. In severe cases, the airway may need securing with a tube or tracheostomy. These are veterinary procedures requiring continuous monitoring.
Polyp treatment aims to remove its stalk and origin as appropriately as possible too. Removing only the visible portion may leave tissue that regrows. A middle ear procedure can reduce recurrence risk but has its own adverse effects. The method is chosen according to the lesion's location and your cat's situation.
Tumour treatment is not limited to surgery or radiotherapy in every case. Chemotherapy may also be considered for nasal lymphoma, for example. Different tumours behave differently, so prognosis and treatment goals are discussed after diagnosis and assessment of spread.
An anti-inflammatory medicine may reduce swelling, but does not replace treatment of a fixed obstruction. Antibiotics are used when a bacterial infection requires them. They do not cure a viral infection or remove a polyp. Do not start old antibiotics, a human allergy medicine or a nasal product yourself.
Recovery and monitoring
Recovery is assessed through breathing, swallowing, appetite and general health. After treatment, agree which breathing noises or other symptoms require contact. New or worsening breathing difficulty is urgent even after an apparently successful procedure.
If a polyp has been treated through the middle ear region, altered eye appearance, head tilt or balance difficulty may be postoperative effects. Report these to the practice. Do not attribute every new symptom to expected recovery without assessment, even though some changes are temporary.
Monitor the amount eaten, rather than visits to the bowl alone. If swallowing is difficult or your cat refuses food, ask for feeding instructions. Do not force-feed a cat with breathing difficulty. Pain and nausea are treated when needed so adequate nutrition can be provided safely.
Prevention
- Treat upper respiratory infections promptly.
- Protect your cat from allergens and toxic substances.
- Arrange regular veterinary checks, particularly in older cats.
- Monitor breathing if your cat is prone to polyps or tumours.
A gradually increasing breathing noise should not be accepted as your cat's habit without investigating the cause. Even a long-standing symptom may reflect a treatable lesion. However, not every polyp or tumour can be prevented, so early examination matters more than a promise of complete protection.
Important for cat owners
Upper airway obstruction is dangerous and can threaten your cat's life. Remember that noisy or rattling breathing, open-mouth breathing and bluish mucous membranes are warning signs requiring an immediate veterinary visit. The earlier the cause is found and treated, the better the chance of preserving your cat's health and life.
This article provides general information and does not replace veterinary care. Contact your vet if you notice signs of illness in your cat.
Frequently asked questions
Is a nasopharyngeal polyp the same as cancer?
An inflammatory polyp is benign, but can still cause severe obstruction. Examination of removed tissue helps confirm the diagnosis. Other tumours cannot be ruled out from symptoms alone.
Can obstruction be dangerous without blue mucous membranes?
Yes. Increased breathing effort, open-mouth breathing or weakness are enough reason to seek prompt help. Do not wait for blue colour or loss of consciousness before leaving.
Why can symptoms return after polyp removal?
Some tissue may remain, or another problem may be present. Recurrent symptoms are investigated again so treatment can match the findings. A previous polyp diagnosis alone does not establish the cause of every new breathing symptom.
This article is for general information only and is not a guide to treatment. If you notice the first signs of illness, contact your vet.
Paw4care editorial team
Sources
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