Why is my cat coughing and having difficulty breathing after spaying & 2 teeth extractions?

Question

My 11 year old cat just came back from surgery - she was spayed and had her teeth cleaned with 2 teeth extractions. She seems to be having problems breathing - it sounds like she is wheezing or lightly snoring. And occasionally, she kind of chokes or coughs, sounding like there's water or mucus in her throat/lungs. Should I be worried?

Answer 1

Yes, take her to the vet's.

Answer 2

The tube put down her throat to enable her to breathe and receive sedation during sugery sometimes causes a sore throat. Maybe during surgery some bacteria from her dental cleaning/ extractions got in her lungs.  I would be worried. Have a veterinarian examine her.

Answer 3

check that she/he has not got fur balls.  

Answer 4

A spaying along with a teeth cleaning is awful traumatizing all at the same time.  Are you sure she's not having anxiety attacks?  I would take her to the vet...

Answer 5

You should be concerned due to her age, and if she was mine I would call the vet and let them know what she is doing.

The coughing/wheezing sounds you are hearing are probably from the endotracheal tube that was put in place prior to surgery.  This tube is inserted for a couple of purposes.  First, to close off the lungs from any regurgitation from the stomach going into the lungs, and second to supply oxygen to the lungs.  I couldn't find a link with a kitty, but the link below will give you an idea of the placement of this tube.

An endotracheal tube is especially important while teeth are being clean.  For a kitty, the teeth are cleaned with a water pik like instrument.  The endotracheal tube prevents any of the water from going into kitty's throat and lungs.  

Since kitty had two procedures, the spay and the teeth cleaning, she was probably under anesthesia for quite a while..I am guessing at least an hour.  So the tube being in place for that long could have irritated her throat.

Just to ease your worries, contact her vet and see what he/she recommends for making her more comfortable.

Purrs to you and kitty.

Answer 6

phone the vets who done the surgery as sooon as posible and make sure you tell him every thing about what is happening to her