Panting In Dogs: Everything You Should Know
What causes panting, or labored breathing, in dogs ? When is it normal and when can it indicate a health problem? What to do if my pet is wheezing a lot? Are there races that breathe faster or louder than others? The answers to these questions (among others) you will have in the following article.
What is panting in dogs?
It is basically fast, shallow breathing that allows water to evaporate from the tongue, mouth and upper airways of the animal. While this is happening, your pet’s body temperature is regulated.
It’s good to know that dogs don’t sweat the same way people do, and that panting helps them control the heat and cool them down a bit. So it’s more common in summer.
Although it may seem that a dog is making an extra effort when panting, the truth is that it is not so for him, due to the elasticity of his lungs and airways.
The normal respiratory rate includes a maximum of 40 inhalations per minute. When panting, the number rises to 300. It is necessary to know that there are two types of panting in dogs: normal and abnormal.
Normal is when the body rewarms and this is considered natural. The second could be a sign that the animal has a health problem.
How to know if this happens? Because breathing is excessive. It occurs when your body is not warm or the room temperature is not elevated, it sounds noisy and “rough” or if you notice that the animal is making a great effort to breathe.
On the other hand, there are some breeds that are more prone to excessive panting due to the shape of their muzzle. In the case of Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers and Boston Terriers (among other brachycephalic dogs), they may have difficulty breathing and make a lot of noise when inhaling. In addition, these dogs suffer a lot from high temperatures and even when traveling by car…
Abnormal Causes of Panting in Dogs
Leaving aside the ambient temperature and that of the animal, and even the breed to which it belongs, wheezing can be a warning sign to pay attention to, as your dog’s life may be at risk. When gasping for breath might not be normal?
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before heat stroke
It’s one thing when a dog wheezes a little because of the high temperature in summer, and quite another when the dog has been exposed to the midday sun for a long time. When your body overheats, it will start to pant.
If, after a few minutes, his breathing does not return to normal and we notice that he has glazed eyes, shiny gums and palpitations, it is because he is on the verge of suffering from heat stroke. It is very important to cool it with cold water, leave it in the shade or even place it as close as possible to the fan or air conditioner.
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Ache
Panting in dogs can be a way of expressing discomfort or pain when faced with an illness. It’s your way of communicating without words. You should pay close attention to his breathing changes, especially if he suddenly starts panting for no apparent reason. Maybe right now he’s suffering some internal pains or twinges. Take the vet as soon as possible.
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Obesity
A large part of the dog population is overweight due to diet and lack of exercise. Obesity can shorten its life expectancy and prevent the animal from refrigerating properly. This will result in more panting. If your dog’s breathing is labored when he walks a few steps or does some physical activity (such as looking for a toy or climbing stairs), it may be due to being overweight. Change his diet and take him for a walk every day.
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Heart or lung diseases
The canine dilated cardiomyopathy can cause gasp, among other signs: swollen abdomen, heavy breathing, coughing, fainting, weakness and lack of energy.
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stress or fear
When a dog is nervous or faced with a stressful situation, such as a storm or the holiday season (because of the fireworks), he may start to pant. In this case, this will change his behavior, he will walk from one side of the house to the other, trembling, wanting to hide and not even controlling his bladder or bowels.
