My cat has chronic breathing issues. Is it time for euthanasia?

It is such a hard decision to make! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face this question with my clients all the time. I recommend looking at Pete's quality of life in order to make this decision. When a cat stops eating, is very lethargic, has trouble breathing, or just wants to sleep all the time, that is a sign their quality of life has decreased to a point where letting them go should be considered. I'm sorry you are facing this, but I hope this helps.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Mecia is having trouble breathing, she should be seen by a vet immediately as she may require stabilization such as fluids or supplemental oxygen to make her more comfortable. A vet may recommend euthanasia, but no vet will euthanize Mecia without your consent.

I am sorry to hear about your kitty. I would consider some diagnostics since Anna has not improved on the medication trials performed thus far. Dental x-rays would be my next step, to ensure there isn't an infected tooth root that could be causing these issues. It is not always obvious looking in the oral cavity that a tooth is diseased. The x-ray may also help detect any bony changes in the skull that could occur with certain types of tumors. Other options you may discuss with your vet would include antihistamine trials, a drug called Cerenia which can be used to formulate nose drops that can decrease inflammation in the nasal passages, a nasal flush and culture to check for resistant bacteria or fungus, and prophylactic treatment for possible nasal mites. CT scan is also recommended in nonresponsive cases when other options have been exaughsted. You may also consider referral to an internist if your vet is having trouble finding a cause/treatment that works. You can read more about rhinitis at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=6274586

I'm sorry she has ongoing problems. If that product works, its probably best to just stick with it. Some cats have chronic rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages) that is a sort of allergy/auto-immune reaction. An oral steroid medication from your vet may help, but this too would require daily treatment ongoing. You can talk to your vet about options--a rhinoscopy (scope up the nose) may give some helpful information in terms of the actual cause of the issue, but I suspect she will need ongoing treatment regardless. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, and thanks for taking great care of Cinderella!

It is impossible to answer this accurately without an indication as to what is causing her breathing problems - heart/lung disease, pain, infection, inflammation and swellings in the nose or throat could all be contributing and options for treatment would depend on exactly what is causing her issues. Please seek a full health check for her as soon as possible in order to identify the source of her problem and discuss management options

I'm sorry to hear about Missy's chronic problems. The 2 most common problems leading to this would be either a very deep, resistant bacterial infection of the sinuses or even possibly a tumor. Tumors can be either malignant or benign. To get a definitive answer advanced imaging such as CT may be needed. It must be frustrating to have tried so many therapies and still be facing a problem. These types of chronic sinus issues can be very difficult to solve. You can request a referral to a specialist from your veterinarian and they will help guide you with a plan. Take care and I hope Missy improves soon.

This is such a difficult decision to make, and unfortunately without knowing all of the details of Coco’s case and being able to examine her in person it’s hard to know if it might be time to consider euthanasia. If your vet feels it’s likely that the symptoms are not related to something potentially treatable like an infection, nasal foreign body or tooth root abscess then it may not be worth the anesthetic risk to try to get more information by scoping. It sounds like she is having trouble breathing, and if her ability to rest comfortably and perform normal daily activities is inhibited by this then it may be time to consider euthanasia. I also think this is something you should discuss with your vet - they know you and Coco best and might be able to provide further guidance.