Shortness of breath in dogs: when to sound the alarm

Your dog is always running around with his tongue hanging out, so it’s not uncommon for a dog to have rapid breathing throughout the day. Today, however, it sounds different. His rapid and heavy breathing becomes more pronounced, and you begin to worry that something is wrong with your furry buddy. But how do you know about it?

Is it normal for dogs to breathe heavily?

In some situations, heavy breathing and shortness of breath is quite normal. According to Vetstreet, the average breathing rate in dogs is 30 to 40 breaths per minute. However, when they are nervous, when they are hot, or in case of intense physical exertion, they may breathe more heavily than usual to calm down or cool themselves down. Vetstreet reports, “When short of breath, a dog may take 300 to 400 breaths per minute.” This is 10 times more than usual – it is quite logical that you are worried about this. Normal dyspnea is not harmful: “Because of the natural elasticity of the lungs and airways, dyspnea does not expend much energy and does not create additional heat.” Because heat, weight, and exercise cause shortness of breath, try to keep your pet cool and calm and healthy.

When does shortness of breath in a dog become a problem?

Although all dogs pant to regulate their body temperature, excessive or unusual panting in a dog is a logical cause for concern.

Those breeds that have some (or all) of the features of brachycephalic airway syndrome are predisposed to louder breathing. Vetstreet reports that excess soft palate tissue “may be accompanied by other upper airway abnormalities which, if inflammatory, can lead to complete airway obstruction – this can be caused by excessive heat, stress, exercise, and other situations.” That is why the dog often breathes.

Overweight dogs have more panting than normal weight dogs, especially when the heavily built dog is more active than usual, such as walking or jogging with you or in hot weather. Keep her cool, include regular light and quick workouts, and feed her a complete, balanced diet to help her lose weight and reduce her risk of developing unhealthy breathlessness.

Another reason why a dog’s breathing may suddenly become more pronounced is paralysis of the larynx. If the animal’s larynx cannot open and close simultaneously with inhalation and exhalation, the sound will be louder and more pronounced. You may even notice that your dog coughs when he is breathing heavily.

How to help a dog with shortness of breath

Is the dog breathing often? You can control her heavy breathing by making sure she doesn’t overheat and stay calm. If you’re planning a full-day hike, be sure to bring plenty of water with you, and don’t forget to stop in shady areas so you and your pet can rest. If your dog’s shortness of breath is bothersome during excessive exertion, slow down the pace. Find someone to accompany you on your marathon runs, and when walking with your pet, it is better to limit yourself to short routes around the neighborhood. When the summer heat gets unbearable, try to spend time indoors with air conditioning, or make sure that the dog has a suitable place in the shade where he can hide and rest.

When it’s too hot outside, it’s very difficult to force ourselves to go out, and when we don’t feel like exercising, we often lose sight of how much our dog needs. However, your pet can still get great exercise during the hot summer months without overheating. Do you have a backyard? Set up a kiddie pool for him to splash around in, or turn on a sprinkler so he can play with the water. Is there a lake, beach or dog park with a pond nearby? Let him swim. So he can not overheat, while getting enough exercise necessary to maintain health. Be sure to bring clean drinking water with you and don’t let him drink from the body of water.

If you suddenly feel that your dog’s shortness of breath has become too severe, contact your veterinarian immediately. When it comes to pet health, it’s best not to guess, but to contact a specialist who can determine if the animal has any problems. He will also give you advice on how to deal with heavy breathing if your dog does have health problems. If you want to have a good time with your pet and take care of her health – pay attention to any strange wheezing and sighs, and she will be grateful to you.