My cat was outside in cold, shaking, breathing weird. What's wrong?

Hello! Cats are very stubborn nose-breathers and hate panting. This means they usually only pant if they are in severe respiratory distress. This, associated with the drooling and being outdoors makes me very concerned that she could have been suffering from severe heat distress or heat stroke. Sometimes cats can also hide signs of heart and lung disease until they are truly struggling to breathe, and this could be exacerbated by heat by as well. I would recommend taking her into a vet to be seen. They will likely recommend bloodwork and x-rays to start evaluating her major organ function, check for signs of infection, and evaluate the heart and lungs. I hope you find this helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Unfortunately there's no way to know for sure. Is she showing any other symptoms? Is she still eating, is she moving around normally or does she seem painful, is she vomiting, having diarrhea, or having any coughing or sneezing? Shivering can occur due to being cold, or nauseous, or painful. All of these are possible causes. Make sure she's protected from cold and wind, and if she's not improving and you know she is not cold, take her to your vet for an exam. They will be able to assess the most likely cause of her symptoms. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It's hard to know exactly what could be going on. She may have gotten hypothermic, she may have had a seizure, she may have been feeling bad before going outside and been looking for somewhere quiet. Regardless, since she's vomited a few times and has been lethargic for 10 hours, I would consider taking her to an emergency room for evaluation tonight. If she still seems very sleepy tomorrow, she should definitely be evaluated. Good luck to you both!

I wonder if maybe she has neurologic damage or did not heal after the panleukopenia. I would talk to your vet about blood work, a neurologic exam, and maybe referral to a specialist in internal medicine or neurology to determine what could be causing the shaking and loss of balance. Increased respiratory rate or changes in breathing sounds could indicate an upper respiratory infection, a nasal polyp, or possible scar tissue from previous infection.

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.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds as though your dog is in respiratory distress and should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Breathing problems are a medical emergency and should not be ignored. There maybe a life threatening problem.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Trembling is a general sign and can be seen with several things that go from just being cold or nervous to being an indication of pain or discomfort. If Emmy is otherwise fine, then it would be ok to monitor her for now. However, if at any point she appears to be in discomfort or stops eating or showing any other concerning symptoms, it may be best to have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment. Hopefully it is not anything serious. Good luck and have a good day!