A cough, difficulty breathing, constant panting… there are symptoms that can indicate that your dog may have problems breathing. Which are the most common causes and how can you realise that they have a problem?
Normal breathing is very important for a dog’s health because, just like you, it is the way in which they get oxygen. When your dog is having trouble breathing, is breathing oddly or very fast, or has a cough for several days, it is very important to consult your vet.
Troubled breathing
Rapid breathing
It is the feeling of a lack of air in the lungs.
Often, the appearance of a respiratory problem is because they have something in their airways. If the vet rules this out, they will look for pain, anxiousness, fever or obesity.
Dyspnoea can also be a result of small nasal passages, an infection or asthma, among other things.
This is breathing that is faster than usual.
It is distinguished from panting because they have their mouth closed, whereas when panting they keep it open. Panting is the dog’s way of regulating their temperature when they are hot. There is no need to be alarmed if a dog is panting a little, especially if the ambient temperature is high. But if they are breathing very fast and expelling a lot of air, it is important to act quickly, because they could be suffering heat stroke.
If your dog stops breathing, you must act quickly. Follow these steps:
