Cyanosis in Cats: What to do if your cat has a blue tongue?

Cyanosis in Cats. If you notice that your cat has a bluish tongue, you need to act fast. There is a danger to life! You should visit a veterinary practice immediately so that she can be helped quickly.

This could be due to respiratory distress or heart disease, but poisoning is also possible. We explain in more detail the diseases that can be behind the blue colouring of the tongue and show you how you can best help your cat.

Which colour is the tongue of a healthy cat?

Have you ever taken a closer look at your cat's tongue? The tongues of healthy cats are pink, which indicates healthy blood circulation. But they are fascinating because of something else: their upper surface is rough and covered with many small barbs. These help with grooming and also with eating, because cats can use them to "scrape" meat scraps off a bone.

Blue tongue, possible causes

If the tongue has a violet to blue colour, this is called cyanosis. You can often also notice this on the gums and the undersides of the paws. The blue colouration is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. And there are various causes for this, all of which have something in common: They should be clarified and treated immediately in a veterinary practice, cyanosis is a life-threatening symptom.

The following causes lead to a blue tongue:

Respiratory distress

If the cat is not taking in enough oxygen through breathing, the tongue will turn blue. Respiratory distress can be caused by various health problems. For example, an accident or a fall can cause internal injuries, but also an accumulation of fluid (e.g. pulmonary oedema or pleural effusion) or a tumour can hinder breathing. In asthma, the airways narrow because of spasms, making it difficult to breathe.

It is typical for respiratory distress that the animal has symptoms even at rest and is obviously unwell. In addition to a blue tongue, other symptoms can show such as an accelerated breathing rate, a pumping breathing movement, breathing with an open mouth, breathing noises and restlessness. Asthma attacks are also often accompanied by coughing and gagging. 

The causes of respiratory distress are very varied, but the initial therapy is the same: the cat needs oxygen. For this purpose, an oxygen mask can be put on her, but not all animals accept this. Alternatively, a cat carrier can be sealed and the oxygen gas introduced through a tube. When the cat is stabilised, it can be examined further. Then it can be helped in a systematic way, and possibly surgery may be necessary.

Heart disease

When the heart is not pumping blood as it should, it can also cause the tongue to turn blue. To understand why, let's take a quick look at the structure of the heart. A healthy heart consists of two separate compartments that pump blood to the lungs or body. The blood heading for the lungs is deoxygenated, the oxygen has been used up by the body. In the lungs, the blood is then enriched with the gas and pumped back towards the body by the heart. If these two compartments are connected by a hole, oxygen-poor blood mixes with oxygen-rich blood and the body has less oxygen available. This is manifested by a blue tongue, among other things.

A hole in the heart is rare and usually of congenital origin. Affected animals tire quickly during exertion, but otherwise appear healthy. Sometimes they are slightly smaller than their littermates. The vet may also hear a murmur when listening to the heart. A definite diagnosis is made with the help of a cardiac ultrasound. It can show the holes in the heart and the turbulence of the blood flow.

In congenital heart disease, as with most diseases, treatment depends on the severity. Many animals do not need any therapy at all, especially if the problem is an incidental finding. If the tongue turns blue, it is usually a more severe case where heart medication is prescribed or the hole in the heart is closed surgically.

Poisoning

Cats are very sensitive to poisoning. This is because their liver works differently than that of dogs or humans. For example, many medicines that are non-toxic for us are sometimes fatal for our cats. Therefore, never give your cat medicines that are not meant for it!

For example, the painkiller paracetamol (acetaminophen) is toxic to cats because it cannot be broken down properly. It reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen and causes an oxygen deficiency. In addition to the blue colouring of the tongue, other symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and shortness of breath with accelerated, pumping breathing or breathing noises.

If your cat has ingested paracetamol, make sure you write down the amount and time and take it to a veterinary practice immediately. There, your cat can be helped in a targeted way. There are two antidotes for paracetamol poisoning: N-acetylcysteine and vitamin C. In addition, your cat's circulation needs to be stabilised by infusions and it needs oxygen. And there are measures to help the drug be eliminated more quickly. Your cat can be induced to vomit to get out the pills that are still in the stomach. Activated charcoal is given to absorb pills already in the intestine. 

What to do if the tongue is blue?

If you discover a blue tongue in your cat, you should take it to a veterinary practice or clinic immediately. This is an emergency symptom, especially if there is respiratory distress, heart problems or poisoning. 

When transporting your cat, make sure it is breathing well, especially if it is in respiratory distress. Do not cover its head with blankets, even if it seems cool to the touch. It is best to place it in a sternal position and gently stretch its front legs forward. You can also carefully stretch the neck forward to straighten the windpipe. This gives the respiratory tract the most space to work properly.

How do I recognise respiratory distress in cats?

When your cat is in respiratory distress, it is not breathing properly. There are different causes for this, but the symptoms are all very similar and can appear weaker or stronger. For example, the breathing becomes pumping, the mouth stays open while breathing and your cat breathes faster. Often loud breathing noises are heard, the cat walks restlessly through the flat and lies down again and again for a short while. In an asthma attack, the cat will also cough and gag.

Conclusion

If your cat suddenly has a blue tongue, it is an emergency situation. Do not hesitate and take it to a veterinary clinic immediately. There they can give her oxygen and get to the bottom of the problem. Only then can it be treated specifically.

The reason for this symptom is an undersupply of oxygen to the body. This can be caused by severe breathing problems, a heart disease or poisoning with paracetamol. Most of the time, it does not stop at a blue tongue. If you keep a close eye on your cat, you are sure to notice more signs that it is not well.

The confidu magazine is written by our veterinarians according to current scientific standards. The articles do not replace a veterinary diagnosis, but are intended to provide you with initial information on many topics related to your animal. If you have specific questions about your pet, our vets will be happy to advise you via the confidu app.