Breathing Difficulties In Dogs - Signs, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

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Breathing Difficulties in DogsWritten By Darlene StottPublished: 10/09/2015Updated: 04/28/2021Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.What are Breathing Difficulties?Difficulty breathing is a sign of a labored respiratory system. Your dog’s health depends upon the respiratory system to take in oxygen and deliver it to the red blood cells and throughout the body’s organs. The causes for breathing difficulties are varied, and dogs of all ages, breeds, and both sexes are susceptible; however, specific breeds and types of dogs are more susceptible to suffer particular underlying causes of breathing difficulties. Very large and giant breeds of dog are more likely to experience cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Small, toy breeds, such as the Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, and Pomeranian, are more likely to suffer from tracheal collapse. Small breeds, such as Maltese, Italian Greyhound, and Poodle are predisposed to tracheal collapse, and also chronic bronchitis, and chronic mitral valve disease. Short-faced breeds of dog, such as bulldogs, are more likely to have congenital breathing difficulties due to narrowed nostrils and elongates soft palates, as well as tumors in the lungs and near the heart. Rapid breathing or panting can also be normal reactions to exertion or heat; if you suspect this to be the case, let your dog rest and cool off to see if her breathing returns to normal. Dyspnea, or troubled breathing, and tachypnea, or rapid breathing, panting or coughing can all be signs of serious underlying problems and should be considered medical emergencies if they persist.Youtube PlayBreathing Difficulties Average CostFrom 61 quotes ranging from $500 - $5,000Average Cost$1,200Protect yourself and your pet. Compare top pet insurance plans.

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Symptoms of Breathing Difficulties in DogsDyspnea (Troubled Breathing)

• Visible movement of chest and stomach during breath
• Flared nostrils during breath
• Open-mouthed breathing
• Noisy breathing
• Head held low and extended; elbows bowed out

Tachypnea (Rapid Breathing)

• Breathing more quickly than normal, with a closed mouth

Panting

• Breathing more quickly than normal, with an open mouth
• Shallow breaths
• Tongue hanging out

Causes of Breathing Difficulties in DogsDyspnea

• Foreign object stuck in throat
• Elongated soft palate
• Small nostrils
• Ascites, or fluid in the belly
• Bloat, or air in the belly
• Enlarged liver
• Bacterial or viral infection
• Tumors
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Injury to chest wall
• Reaction to toxin from tick bite
• Reaction to toxin from Botulism
• Heart failure
• Pulmonary edema, or heart failure with fluid in the lungs
• Blood in the chest surrounding lungs
• Bleeding into the lungs
• Pneumonia
• Infectious tracheobronchitis, or a kennel cough
• Heartworm infection

Tachypnea

• Anemia, or low red blood cell level
• Hypoxemia, or low blood oxygen level
• Asthma
• Tumors
• Pulmonary edema, or heart failure with fluid in the lungs
• Bleeding into the lungs

Panting

• Pain
• Reaction to certain medications
• Elevated body temperature due to external temperature, fever, or exertion

Diagnosis of Breathing Difficulties in DogsDifficulty breathing should be considered an emergency, and you should take your dog in for veterinary attention as soon as you determine there to be a problem. As there are so many possible causes for your dog’s difficulty breathing, it is important for you to give a thorough account of the signs and their onset, as well as any recent incidents that may be related. The veterinarian will begin by conducting a thorough physical examination that will include detailed observation of your dog’s breathing and listening to her chest and lungs. The veterinarian will press on your dog’s windpipe to try and induce coughing, in order to observe the cough. Depending on the severity of your dog’s difficulty breathing, oxygen may be administered at this time in order to stabilize your dog before additional tests can be conducted. A urinalysis, complete blood count, and chemical blood profile may be recommended in order to identify possible causes such as anemia, infection, presence of heartworm or toxin, or impaired organ function. Further testing will depend upon the area of concern, with x-rays and ultrasounds being utilized in order to examine the condition and function of the heart, lungs, and abdomen; extraction of any fluids built up in the chest, lungs or belly for clinical evaluation; and/or an electrocardiogram to measure the heart’s electrical activity; an endoscope may be used to visually examine your dog’s nose and airways.Treatment of Breathing Difficulties in DogsAs there are many varied causes of breathing difficulties, there are many options for treatment that will depend upon the diagnosis. Often treatment will involve continued oxygen therapy to stabilize your dog while the primary cause of the breathing difficulty is addressed. If any fluid has built up in the space around the lungs, it may need to be drained with a needle in a process called thoracentesis. Diuretics may be used in order to treat heart failure. It is important to seek treatment right away because the sooner your dog can receive oxygen therapy and medications, the sooner you can prevent and reverse poor functioning and possible damage of organs from lack of oxygen.

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Recovery of Breathing Difficulties in DogsCarefully following the veterinarian’s specific recovery instructions is paramount, and these will vary depending on your dog’s diagnosis. When you are able to bring your dog home, you will need to manage his activity until the veterinarian determines he his healthy enough to return to normal activity. This may involve cage rest, decreasing access to the outdoors and limiting stimuli. Designing a comfortable and relaxing environment will improve your dog’s road to recovery. With some diagnoses, this may be a temporary measure; however, with others, this new limited activity routine may be necessary throughout your dog’s life. Continue to monitor your dog’s overall health and breathing, making sure to consult the veterinarian if breathing problems resurface.Breathing Difficulties Average CostFrom 61 quotes ranging from $500 - $5,000Average Cost$1,200Protect yourself and your pet. Compare top pet insurance plans.TopBreathing Difficulties Questions and Advice from Veterinary ProfessionalsChihuahuaFifteen Years

33 found this helpful

33 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:Noisy BreathingHi there! My dog is 15 and blind. I adopted her at 12 and blind and she’s been amazing. She had a mammory gland a year ago she got removed but she had more growing. It grows almost every day but she is so happy and eats and is the same. About 4 days ago she started breathing heavy in and out of the nose and still is. I’m concerned but she’s still acting normal and eating.March 1, 2021Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS33 RecommendationsThank you for your question. It is possible the new mammary growths are cancerous and that they have spread around the body; possibly to the lungs. This can lead to fluid build up within the lungs and large masses can cause compression of organs and less space for oxygen exchange. Though she seems otherwise well (which is good), she likely feels breathless and may have lower energy levels than we would expect. She does need to see a vet who can examine her and determine if she may benefit from medicine such as anti inflammatories or medicine to remove any fluid build up.March 1, 2021Was this question and answer helpful?

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RottweilerNine Years

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My pet has the following symptoms:PantingMy boy is panting while just standing up. When he's a sleep/laying down - no panting. It's just when standing up and also when he's walking. The panting stops a few minutes after he lay himself down, no cough, no blue signs in mouth, no fluid in lungs, no fever He drinks, he eats, welcomes you at the door when coming home and looks for a toy to greet you. Normal in any conditions just the panting and also heart racing in this condition, show no pain. I suspect his suffering arthritis and some kind of hip dysplasia. And also shivers in his back legs and have done that a few years.Jan. 13, 2021Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM0 RecommendationsHello so sorry to hear your dog is having issues. It would be best for your vet to see him. This panting and heart racing can be a heart disease or him being in pain. They can prescribe him medication to help him feel much better.Jan. 13, 2021Was this question and answer helpful?

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