A lot of people are concerned when their dogs start breathing fast. I have also gone through the same problem. This condition is known as tachypnea. It is very important to recognize the causes behind rapid breathing and to determine if veterinary care is necessary. This article gathers insights from multiple sources to offer a complete understanding of why your dog may experience rapid breathing and when it’s appropriate to consult a veterinarian.
Normal Breathing in Dogs
A typical healthy dog will take between 15 to 35 breaths per minute while at rest. Anything above 40 breaths per minute while your dog is at rest is considered abnormal and certainly worth investigating. It’s important to understand that panting doesn’t always mean that there’s a problem. Panting is your pup’s way of regulating their body temperature, cooling themselves down, and allowing water and heat to evaporate from their upper respiratory tract, tongue, and mouth. Dogs can’t sweat to cool themselves down; instead, they need to breathe fast to allow air to circulate through their body. Rapid breathing helps your pup’s body get back to a normal temperature.
Common Causes of Fast Breathing in Dogs
Heat Stroke or Overheating
Heat stroke or overheating is a serious and life-threatening condition that usually occurs when dogs are left in closed cars or are walked on a very hot day. The clear signs of heat stroke include high body temperature, excessive panting, excessive salivation, bright red gums, increased heart rate, and collapsing. Heat stroke happens rapidly, and there’s often not a lot of time to do anything, so this is why it’s important to do everything possible to prevent overheating from ever happening.
Exercise
Exercise is the most obvious reason for panting, but some dog owners still worry when they see their dog panting after a good run. Usually, a dog’s breath rate should go back to normal within minutes, but it may vary depending on your dog’s fitness level and weight. Panting after exercise isn’t a big deal unless your dog was exhausted due to running on a very hot day, which is highly discouraged.
Brachycephalic Breeds
There are certain breeds that have a predisposition for developing breathing difficulties because of their short noses or pushed-in faces. These breeds are called brachycephalic breeds and include pugs, boxers, French bulldogs, and similar breeds. These cuties have narrow windpipes, which makes their breathing less efficient. Unfortunately, this does mean that these dogs are more prone to having a higher risk of heat stroke or generally faster rates of breathing.
Pain
It’s possible they could be in pain. Our dogs can’t tell us when they’re in pain, so they show us in other ways. Signs that your dog might be in pain include limping, enlarged pupils, a reduced appetite, not wanting to lie down or sit still, and biting or licking a certain spot on their body. If fast breathing is accompanied by any of those signs, there’s a chance your dog may have gotten injured somehow.
Dyspnea
Another cause of heavy breathing is called dyspnea, which basically means difficulty breathing. This can happen when air is going out of the nose and mouth too fast. A telltale sign of dyspnea is breathing from the stomach, where the stomach moves in conjunction with a dog’s chest. Typically, this breathing is noisy, and your dog will be breathing with their mouth open. Other signs of dyspnea include holding the neck and head low and refusing to lie down. When it’s hard for your dog to breathe, it can be extra uncomfortable for them to lay down. It’s also important to keep an eye out to see if their gums are turning a bluish color, which could be another sign of dyspnea, and your dog may need medical attention.
Heart Disease
Shallow breathing may be a sign of heart disease such as heartworm, heart valve disease, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), or congestive heart failure. In these cases, fast and shallow breathing is caused by the heart’s inability to pump oxygen efficiently. Heart diseases are more often seen in older dogs and are often accompanied by symptoms such as coughing, reduced appetite, lethargy, or a swollen abdomen.
Milk Fever (Eclampsia)
Milk fever, also known as eclampsia, is a serious condition that occurs in pregnant or nursing dogs. It happens when there is a sudden drop in calcium levels in the blood. Signs of milk fever often include increased breathing rate, tremors, weakness, or a complete inability to stand or walk. This is a life-threatening condition, making milk fever one of the reasons why pregnant or nursing dogs should be monitored for any changes in their behavior and brought to the vet checkup whenever there are some unusual physical signs.
Tick-Borne Diseases
Ticks are known to transmit some pretty dangerous diseases. These parasites can transmit a large number of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, canine anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, canine babesiosis, and much more. Often the first sign of a tick-borne disease is fever and an increased breath rate.
Shock
After an accident or an injury, a dog might start breathing rapidly as a result of both pain and shock. When dogs are under shock, their body requires higher levels of oxygen, making them breathe faster. So if your dog got into an accident or got hit by a car, panting might be a natural reaction to such an event. However, there’s always a possibility your dog may have injured an airway or lungs, which is why it’s highly advised to bring your dog to the vet whenever an accident occurs.
Behavioral Panting
Behavioral panting is another common reason that doesn’t include any serious underlying health issues. Just like some people sigh or breathe in a different manner when they’re stressed, dogs can breathe faster than normal when feeling anxious, scared, or stressed. Usually, behavioral panting doesn’t appear alone; it’s normally presented with trembling, lip licking, yawning, hiding, or excessive barking.
Anemia
When dogs have a lower level of red blood cells than normal, or when they’re anemic, their body isn’t getting a sufficient amount of oxygen, which leads to faster breathing. Anemia comes with other symptoms like weakness, an elevated heart rate, pale-colored gums, and visible mental confusion.
What to Do if Your Dog is Breathing Fast?
Understand the Signs of Normal Panting vs. Abnormal Breathing. To tell if your dog is breathing abnormally fast, start to count your dog’s breaths for a minute while they are resting or sleeping. If it is under 30 breaths per minute then it should be considered normal. But if the breaths is above 35 per minute then it may be a cause for concern and is worth contacting your vet. Your vet will have a better understanding of your dog’s normal respiratory rate from previous examinations.
When to Contact Your Vet
If you notice that your dog is breathing fast while at rest or while sleeping, they could be experiencing respiratory distress. Contact your vet if you notice any of the following signs: noticeably labored breathing, pale, blue-tinged, or brick-red gums, reluctance to drink, eat or move, open-mouthed breathing while at rest, or out-of-character drooling and heavy, fast breathing that’s louder or different sounding than normal panting.
A full physical examination will be performed by your vet to determine whether your dog’s breathing issue stems from a problem in the heart, circulatory system, lungs, airway, neck, head, or other area. Your pet’s overall general health condition may also be causing an issue. Your vet will need to know about any previous medical issues that your pooch has experienced and may recommend diagnostic tests such as X-rays to check the heart, lungs, and abdomen for issues such as lung tumors or broken ribs. The veterinarian will also watch your dog for any signs of anxiety, stress, or other psychological factors that could be causing the fast breathing.
Treatment
The underlying cause of your dog’s breathing difficulties will determine the best treatment. Your vet may prescribe pain relief, intravenous fluids, or other medications to help restore your dog to good health. If your dog is breathing fast due to stress or anxiety, special training with a certified dog behaviorist may be recommended.
Why is my dog breathing fast while sleeping?
Your dog is sleeping and he started to breathe really fast. It is common that you get scared because a lot of people doesn’t know what was wrong, but no need to worry calm down. If your dog is breathing fast while sleeping, it’s most likely due to the dog dreaming. Dogs dream a lot like humans do, and their REM stage occurs during sleep when they are breathing fast. There is nothing to worry about if your dog is breathing fast while sleeping. If it happens on a regular basis, though, you may want to talk with your veterinarian.
Why is my dog breathing fast while resting?
Why is my dog taking short quick breaths? There are several possibilities here, including pneumonia, heart disease, a viral infection, etc., and it is important to have him seen. Normally, a dog should breathe no more than 30 times a minute when resting. Anything more than this means they may not be getting enough oxygen and we need to intervene. Rapid breathing in dogs may simply be down to excitement or exercise. Dogs may also pant when they’re in fear, stressed, or hot. Panting is one of the most important ways a dog thermoregulates, but beware, heavy or rapid breathing is an early sign of heat stroke and should be closely monitored.
What are the symptoms of the mysterious dog respiratory illness?
Dog owners should be aware that dogs affected by a mysterious illness often start with a cough that can last for weeks. Other symptoms include sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, and fatigue. In severe cases, dogs may develop pneumonia, which can worsen rapidly within 24 to 36 hours. It’s important to seek veterinary advice promptly, as the illness does not respond well to standard treatments.
Why do puppies breathe heavily when they sleep?
It’s typical for puppies to seem to breathe heavily while sleeping. Their faster heart rates mean their delicate ribs and muscles might need extra effort to breathe, giving the impression of struggling. Puppies generally breathe at a rate of 10 to 40 breaths per minute. They also dream more often than adult dogs, entering deep REM sleep where they may twitch, kick, or seem like they’re running. If a puppy’s respiratory rate exceeds 40 breaths per minute or if there are worries about coughing or pneumonia, seeking advice from a veterinarian is recommended.
What respiratory conditions can lead to mucus in dogs?
Mucus in the respiratory systems of dogs can stem from a range of conditions including lower respiratory tract infections, infectious rhinitis (viral or bacterial), irritant rhinitis, foreign bodies, dental problems, tumors, and allergies. Each condition can manifest with distinct symptoms, necessitating veterinary intervention for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
It is very crucial for you to look after your pet’s problems. This is a serious matter that every pet owner should be aware of. Always consult with your veterinarian if you have concerns about your dog’s breathing patterns.
