My cat is breathing fast, should I go to the emergency vet?

Hi everyone, I am so worried right now. Coco is a 14-year-old Persian with hip issues, but she's been breathing really fast tonight. Like, not just when she moves, but just lying on her bed. I checked her gums and they look a little blueish? Is this an emergency vet situation or am I overreacting? She usually sleeps a lot so I didn't notice until I went to give her her hip meds.

I don't want to panic, but I've read so many scary things about heart failure. Please tell me what to look for.

Beth, blue gums are a major red flag. That is called cyanosis and it means she is not getting enough oxygen. Fast breathing at rest combined with that color change is not something to wait out.

You should call your vet now or go to the emergency clinic. Do not wait for morning. I know this is stressful, but you are doing the right thing by asking. Check out Red Flags That Mean Go To The Vet Now for a list of things that are immediate emergencies, but the blue gums put her in that category right away.

Oh no, Coco. That sounds really bad. My Mochi is only 2 and dealing with teething right now, but even he breathes fast if he's stressed. Mochi Is Teething And It's A Mess has a whole section on how to tell if it's just discomfort vs actual pain, but I don't think that applies to a 14 year old with blue gums.

Lori is right, please go in. Better to have her checked and be fine than to have a heart attack at home.

I am so scared for you both. I just adopted Koda and I am already anxious about everything. If it was just fast breathing, would that be an emergency? Or does it have to be the blue gums? I ask because Kiki gets anxious and breathes fast when visitors come over. Kiki Is Panting And I'm Scared talks about stress panting, but I never know which one is which when I'm panicking.