My good friend's 8-year-old Russian Blue is breathing in an odd manner: he came inside and laid still, his breathing is very shallow, but also rapid, initially 72 breaths a minute, now down in the 50s -- closed mouth, not open. His heartrate is also quick, he won't purr, and his gums are very pale, almost greyish. He usually runs for the food but he hasn't eaten since coming inside; he has eaten today and is usually a good eater, and he did drink water since being inside. He is overweight (he has been for some time, ie normalcy), but has no limp, and no physical ailment on feeling him over, and there isn't anything lodged in his throat. Unsure if he is in pain, but when feeling him over he didn't get uncomfortable. He wants to be held, so my friend has been, making sure to give him room to breath.

Neither of us is sure what exactly is going on here, or how serious this is, but we are both concerned for him and any help would be appreciated, as the vets are closed right now. Thank you guys in advance for anything that you may have for us.

UPDATE 1/10 7pm: Took him to the vet and the verdict is pulmonary edema. They say he has a 50/50 of making it through the night, so please send good vibes his way. Thank you all for your help and concern!

UPDATE 1/10 8:30pm: He didn't make it.... 8pm the vet called back with the news. I guess the only question left to answer is how do you deal with the loss of a close furry friend? ;-;

- It sounds like he may have a cold or something going on as his issues appear to be respiratory and also causing fatigue, which can be an immune reaction to illness. Just keep him warm and keep an eye on him. Sometimes when animals (and even humans) get sick, they lose their appetites as well. Just let him have water and let him eat as much as he's willing, maybe give him a bit of the food by your hand or something? If he's not any better in a day or two, I'd maybe take him to the vet?

And yes, licking himself is good. To me it sounds like a cold, but there may be a vet tech user on here that may know more than I do. I do have five cats of my own and they have had these symptoms before and they turned out to be a cold.

My immediate thought goes to internal injury. Both the shallow rapid breathing and the lack of color in his gums suggest bloodless. There are no emergency vet clinics in the area? Or vets that take emergent visits? I know my vet works normal hours but will do phone consults and will even come in for an emergent case. If I were in that situation I would gently lay him down and gently palpate his belly feeling for abnormal stuff and watching for discomfort pain. Could give you a better idea about what's going on. What's the temperature like there? He could also be just very cold to the point of being hypothermic. In which case cuddles and love are your best bet...

: We couldn't get a hold of the emergency vet, no, that's why I turned to the forums for help figuring out what's up ;^; Nothing felt abnormal on his belly (that was one of my thoughts too), and he didn't complain outwardly, so if there is discomfort there, it must not be too bad right now. It's in the 70s and really humid at the moment. Magical Florida weather.

I'm starting to think more and more that we should just keep an eye on him overnight, and if things get worse the vet -should- be available tomorrow (been having terrible luck lately so if we need them I really hope they'll pull through). Here's to hoping it's just a cold, like Jazzy suggested.

Thank you for your response ;~;

Huh. Possibly hyperthermia? If it's humid, and he's a Russian blue that's certainly a possibility... would explain the rapid breathing... not the pale gums though....

Took him to the vet earlier and the verdict is pulmonary edema. Apparently he has a 50/50 chance of surviving the night, so I'm asking for as many good vibes as possible for him.

, , thank you two again for your suggestions, I wish it wasn't as serious as it turned out to be ;;

Oh gosh, I am so sorry - I didn't think it'd be anything worse than a cold :( Praying for you and for him.