My cat is breathing fast and lethargic. Should I go to the emergency vet?

This is an emergency and you need to take your kitty to a veterinarian or PetER right away. Respiratory distress is very serious and your cat will need a thorough exam, possibly oxygen, and supportive care. He is purring because he is ill and is trying to appease everyone around him. The signs of illness are very unspecific so please take your cat to the ER now.

What a gorgeous cat! I am sorry he is not feeling well. Licking his lips is a sign of nausea. Even though he may not be vomiting today he is showing signs that he is still not feeling well. If he is eating (even small amounts) and drinking water as well as interacting with you, urinating, and defecating than he may be able to wait until Wednesday. However, if Michaleto's breathing continues to be abnormal at all to you this may be a sign that he is in pain or has some sort of disease of his heart or lungs. Any abnormal breathing - whether fast or hard - should be seen as soon as possible by a veterinarian. I hope he is feeling better soon.

These signs may be compatible with a chest infection or alternatively to a cardiac problem. The two differentials must be ruled out asap as this could be a medical emergency. Pleural space or thoracic cavity could have fluid building up. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Poor Potato! He needs to be examined by a vet right away if he is having a hard time breathing. He could have a problem with his asthma, infection, or fluid in/around his lungs. Your vet can take an x-ray to evaluate his lungs and then determine the best way to treat. He may just need an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, or other medications depending on the cause. Call your vet and have him examined as soon as possible.

Poor Tate sounds quite painful! It's very important to not give him any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. You need to keep Tate as calm as possible, as stress will cause him to breathe even more rapidly. Place in him a quiet, small, and dark room of his own while you call around to find a vet on call or an ER vet to see him now. His symptoms constitute a medical emergency, please take him into a vet ASAP.

If this has been going on for more than a few days it might be better to see an emergency veterinarian today, however if the symptoms are more recent you may be able to wait. If Greta's gums seem pale or she is having trouble breathing, or if she has a history of other medical problems it would also be better to have her seen today. Otherwise I think you can probably wait until tomorrow. Ultimately these symptoms are somewhat vague and can be a sign of a number of problems so you should go with your gut.

Cassie sounds very ill at the moment, and at her age, there are a number of things that could be causing her symptoms such as heart disease, kidney failure, liver disease, or cancer to name a few. I think she needs veterinary care now. Please take her into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck.