a good few years ago one of my stable cats had been at home as he was unwell, and when he was better I took him back to the stables in my car. Unfortunately it was one of the hottest days of the year and I didn't have the windows open, always worried that if he escaped he would get out. I drove down the A2, was about 1/2 hr journey, and when I came off the A2, I looked round at Bill and he was panting really badly, with his mouth wide open and very distressed! I put my foot down, and ignored the speed limits as I needed to get him out of the car. That was until a police car saw me and chased me with blue lights and sirens
and pulled me over just outside the stables. I gabbled to them about my cat struggling to breathe in the back, because of being in a hot car, they looked in and saw him then luckily theyjust gave me a warning and let me go. Once he was out of the car in the fresh air, he calmed down, i rubbed him down with a wet towel and he was right as rain after about 1/2 hour. was one of the most scariest things in my life! Bet the police had a giggle later tho, as i had a Lada car, which were never built for speed
it sounds to me like Winston just got overheated by the fire, hope he feels better soon and his leg heals ok