Breathing Difficulty in Dogs: Why Dogs Experience Heavy Breathing and What You Can Do About It?

Breathing difficulty in dogs is always considered a medical emergency. They can also breathe heavily if they are having a heat stroke. Panting is normal for dogs especially after exercise or play. They can pant if the weather is warm. 

However, if your dog hasn’t been exercising, jumping around or experiencing stress, you need to take your dog to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. 

Signs of Breathing Difficulty in Dogs

Typically, in most dog health emergencies, breathing difficulty is accompanied by –

• Coughing
• Lethargy and weakness
• Excessive drooling
• Eye discharge
• Change in the gum colour
• Change in their tongue colour
• Increased heart rate
• Increased respiratory rate
• Collapse 
• Inappetence

Sometimes, other signs may include –

• Heavy bleeding through their nose or mouth
• Bruising on their body and/or gums
• Vomiting (blood, fluid or food)

Most of these signs show that a dog’s breathing difficulty can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. 

Normal Breathing vs. Breathing Difficulty in Dogs

Normal breathing in dogs is when they are breathing in and out for 15 to 30 times in total within 60 seconds. Their breaths should be long and deep. 

Panting is when dogs breathe shortly and sharply through their mouths; usually common after heavy exercise or during hot summer days. 

Breathing difficulty includes struggling breaths that can be short and shallow at one point, deep at another. Their chest and abdomen move out when they are trying to exhale (even while resting). Their resting respiratory rate can be over 30 per minute. 

Dogs with breathing difficulties may also hold their head up, or stretch their neck, as if gasping for air. 

What Causes Breathing Difficulty in Dogs?

Breathing difficulty and heavy breathing in dogs can be related to multiple medical conditions depending on their age, genetics and lifestyle. Some of these include –

Pain

This is the most common cause of breathing difficulties in dogs. A majority of dogs can and will pant when in pain. This pain can be caused by an external factor such as an injury or wound. Even internal pain caused by kidney disease and pancreatitis can cause a dog to breathe heavily. 

Bronchitis

If a dog has had CIRDC or kennel cough recurringly, it can affect their airways. The internal inflammation of their airways or bronchitis can cause breathing problems in dogs for a long time. 

Pneumonia

Pneumonia refers to inflammation of the lungs which can be caused by prolonged bacterial, viral or even fungal infections. It can lead to heavy breathing in dogs along with eye and nasal discharge, fever, lethargy and complete loss of appetite. 

Heartworm In Dogs

Heartworms infect and grow inside the heart and block the blood flow between the heart and lungs. Lack of timely treatment for heartworms can lead to congestive heart failure which often begins with heavy breathing or breathing difficulties along with lethargy, coughing and inappetence. 

Cancers

Multiple cancers that affect the trachea, larynx and lungs can cause severe breathing discomfort in dogs. It is quite rare in young dogs and pups, but do keep an eye on your dog’s health and ensure they don’t show the signs of cancer in dogs. 

Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary edema can be caused by abdominal fluid flowing into the lungs and reducing the space available for air. Pulmonary edema can result from heart failure as well as non-heart-related conditions such as choking, drowning and electrocution. 

Bleeding

Severe bleeding from external wounds or internal injuries including ruptured tumours can cause breathing distress in dogs. Other factors that can cause uncontrollable bleeding can include rat poison. 

Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease is when the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol (stress hormone). It can cause the dog to drink more, urinate frequently and pant 24/7. A distended abdomen is a telltale sign of Cushing’s disease in dogs.  

What are the Types of Breathing Difficulty Dogs Experience?

Rapid Breathing

Rapid breathing isn’t always a breathing difficulty in dogs. Dogs who have just exercised or been feeling stressed often breathe rapidly. If your dog has a respiratory rate of under 30 while resting, they are probably panting. If their resting respiratory rate is higher than 30 (every minute) then you should definitely consult a veterinarian. There may be an issue with your dog’s heart, lungs or trachea.

Heavy Breathing Through The Nose

Heavy breathing but through the nose is quite normal during playtime, exercise, stress, excitement and aggression in puppies and dogs. Nonetheless, if they are doing the same while resting, it’s a medical emergency. 

Abdominal Breathing

It can happen to dogs and pups. If they are breathing and their abdomen is pushing outwards while exhaling it means they are having trouble pushing air out of their lungs. It is a medical emergency since it is commonly seen in dogs with congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema or bronchitis.

Breathing Heavily While Sleeping

Most dogs do breathe heavily when they are sound asleep. However, if this heavy breathing is also accompanied by changes in the colour of their gums and tongue, restlessness and loss of appetite; it could signify congestive heart failure. You need to consult a veterinarian in such cases. 

Laboured Breathing

Dogs with this type of breathing difficulty may stand with their front legs apart which will allow their chest to expand fully. They may also extend their necks in an effort to breathe. Their laboured breathing may be accompanied by pale, grey or blueish gums. It is always a medical emergency!

Heavy Breathing In Puppies

It is usually uncommon for puppies to experience difficulty in breathing irrespective of their activity levels. If your pup is having breathing difficulties, it is always best to consult a veterinarian without waiting. 

Why Does Breathing Difficulty in Dogs Require Veterinary Attention?

Any kind of breathing difficulty should not be ignored since it is often difficult to ascertain the cause without any medical examination. 

Some of the signs your pet absolutely needs to see the vet include –

• Lethargy
• Restlessness
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Swollen abdomen
• Change in gum color
• Vomiting fluid
• Discharge from nose and eyes
• Loss of appetite

There is little you can do at home to make your pet feel better or reverse the signs. They will require breathing support or oxygen along with other medications to aid their breathing.

How Do Vets Diagnose Breathing Difficulty in Dogs?

The veterinarian will listen to your pet’s heart and lung sounds using a stethoscope. They will conduct a thorough physical examination. 

The vet will also recommend –

• Chest X-ray
• Blood tests 
• Tests for heartworms
• Echocardiography 

The reports will give the veterinary team a better understanding of what is causing breathing difficulty in a dog, and what treatment course can be taken to make your pet comfortable. 

What is the Treatment for Breathing Difficulty in Dogs?

Breathing difficulty can be caused by multiple conditions, as stated above. The treatment depends greatly on the cause. 

In most cases, the treatment begins with oxygen therapy to stabilise the patient. And then considering whether it’s pain, pneumonia or congestive heart failure, the vet will suggest painkillers, antibiotics/anti-fungals/anti-virals, or heart medications to support the heart function.

In some cases of pulmonary edema, the veterinarian may also perform thoracocentesis to remove fluid from the lungs to help them breathe. This is a procedure that can be performed multiple times if there’s too much fluid in their lungs. 

The diagnosis of cancer is usually followed by chemotherapy and surgery, depending on the location of the cancer or tumour. 

Can You Prevent Breathing Difficulties in Dogs?

Most of the causes of breathing difficulties in dogs is preventable, while some, such as congestive heart failure may be genetic. 

Not all of the causes of breathing problems are curable! The best way is to keep their vaccines updated, give them heartworm preventatives and visit the veterinarian in case there is any change in their behaviour, appetite or attitude.