If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Do cats hold their breath or get sleep apnea?
I have noticed that sometimes my older cat (9 y/o) will stop breathing
for a short time. What will happen is that he'll be sleeping on the bed and I'll look over at him and I'll notice that his chest and side isn't rising and falling which to me indicates that he isn't breathing. I'll look extra hard and then after 30 seconds I freak out and shake him because he's perfectly still and not moving at all which makes me think he's dead. At that time he starts breathing again. This doesn't happen all the time but it seems to be happening more. It actually just happened which is why I decided to ask about this. I'll make sure to call the vet but I doubt they'll be able to get us in this week. I've heard they are very busy due to the pet food recall. My cat does have a heart murmur and elevated kidney levels. Other than that he is healthy and playful. Is this sort of thing normal? Or is it definitely something to look into? BTW, he doesn't usually snore. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Do cats hold their breath or get sleep apnea?
"svu geek" wrote in message oups.com... I have noticed that sometimes my older cat (9 y/o) will stop breathing for a short time. What will happen is that he'll be sleeping on the bed and I'll look over at him and I'll notice that his chest and side isn't rising and falling which to me indicates that he isn't breathing. I'll look extra hard and then after 30 seconds I freak out and shake him because he's perfectly still and not moving at all which makes me think he's dead. At that time he starts breathing again. This doesn't happen all the time but it seems to be happening more. It actually just happened which is why I decided to ask about this. I'll make sure to call the vet but I doubt they'll be able to get us in this week. I've heard they are very busy due to the pet food recall. My cat does have a heart murmur and elevated kidney levels. Other than that he is healthy and playful. Is this sort of thing normal? Or is it definitely something to look into? BTW, he doesn't usually snore. ----------- I am not a veterinarian, but my guess would be that if humans can get sleep apnea, why not cats? The problem is that in humans, this condition is generally treated with a CPAP machine. Now, just try to convince Fluffy that he needs to wear this contraption: http://www.aftonmedical.com/cpap.h1.jpg Another way to treat sleep apnea in humans is with weight loss. I don't know if your kitty is overweight. Sometimes, humans are also treated with special dental appliances, called "mouth guards" (Here is a link to an image of a human mouth guard called "the Silencer." I don't think you're going to convince Fluffy that he needs to wear one of these deals, even if a cat dentist would take an impression of his teeth and custom-make one for him): http://www.the-silencer.com/images/pro1.jpg One of my extended families members has chronic atrial fibrillation (heart is not in proper cardiac rhythm and heart valves sometimes flutter) and sleep apnea. She is overweight and refuses to wear a CPAP. The doctor has stated that he will not be able to keep her heart in regular rhythm (it goes in and out of atrial fib) unless she simultaneously treats her sleep apnea. Despite the fact that she has untreated sleep apnea, you should know that her atrial fibrillation fortunately has NOT progressed in several years. Of course, it would be better if she would agree to use the CPAP, and then the doctor could cardiovert her back to normal rhythm (and have a good chance of keeping it there!), but that's not going to happen any time soon. She has probably had this for condition for years. She is 83 years old and is still going strong. It will be very interesting to hear what your vet has to say about this, so please post back after your appointment. Best regards, ---Cindy S. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Do cats hold their breath or get sleep apnea?
"svu geek" wrote in message oups.com... I have noticed that sometimes my older cat (9 y/o) will stop breathing for a short time. What will happen is that he'll be sleeping on the bed and I'll look over at him and I'll notice that his chest and side isn't rising and falling which to me indicates that he isn't breathing. I'll look extra hard and then after 30 seconds I freak out and shake him because he's perfectly still and not moving at all which makes me think he's dead. At that time he starts breathing again. This doesn't happen all the time but it seems to be happening more. It actually just happened which is why I decided to ask about this. I'll make sure to call the vet but I doubt they'll be able to get us in this week. I've heard they are very busy due to the pet food recall. My cat does have a heart murmur and elevated kidney levels. Other than that he is healthy and playful. Is this sort of thing normal? Or is it definitely something to look into? BTW, he doesn't usually snore. I'ved noticed my cat doing this sometimes. I think it is just a stage in their sleep when they breath too shallow to see. The fun part is when they start dreaming where they shutter, twitch and even meow. John |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Two cats won't let me sleep!! | paul8agrape | Cat health & behaviour | 29 | August 22nd 06 05:01 AM |
Why do my cats sleep in the same room as their litter box? | Sharkman BMW | Cat health & behaviour | 3 | July 17th 06 04:21 PM |
Cats are experts on sleep! | Azy | Cat anecdotes | 0 | February 1st 06 08:59 AM |
Cats purring in their sleep | Doe John | Cat anecdotes | 6 | September 29th 04 08:26 AM |
sleeper hold for cats | Simon Fitzpatrick | Cat health & behaviour | 6 | December 19th 03 09:02 PM |