For a dog to breathe fast and short is normal if he has just done a strenuous exercise or it is hot. The dog gasps to regain its body temperature, in what is a physiological process. But accelerated breathing can also have a pathological origin, as we will explain in this article.
Heart and lung problems, poisoning, heat stroke or situations such as dehydration or shock are behind rapid breathing. All of them require veterinary assistance. Read on to find out why my dog is breathing fast and short and what to do about it.
Why is my dog breathing too fast? – Causes
If we get the impression that our dog is breathing agitated, faster than normal, the first thing to do is check it. The dog’s normal breathing ranges from 10 to 30 breaths per minute. A higher frequency can put us on alert, except that this breathing is due to the fact that the dog has exercised or it is very hot. In those cases, faster breathing would be physiological and would not indicate, in principle, any health problem.
Otherwise, what we will notice is that the dog breathes fast and short and, depending on the cause, other symptoms will appear. But, in some cases, this increased respiratory rate is not accompanied by further clinical signs because it is due to:
- Fever: fever can appear in the initial stages of different diseases, so we will not always be able to detect other symptoms.
- Pain: As for pain, its origin is not always obvious. For example, there may be a fracture that goes unnoticed.
- Anxiety: anxiety and stress in dogs can also manifest with faster breathing.
Therefore, if our dog breathes fast and is not physiological, we must go to the veterinarian so that this professional is the one who, after examining the dog, determines the reason for its altered breathing and can remedy it. Below we review the most common causes that can explain the appearance of this type of breathing.
My dog is breathing very fast and is down
Sometimes we notice that our dog breathes fast and short, gets tired with minimal physical effort, is down or less active, has coughing spells, does not eat or eats less than normal, loses weight, accumulates fluids in different parts of the body, etc. . . . In the most serious cases, the mucous membranes become blue and the dog may even lose consciousness. These data point to a problem of cardiac origin, such as congestive heart failure, which affects the functioning of the heart.
By affecting the circulation of blood throughout the body, symptoms like the ones we have mentioned end up. This disease requires veterinary treatment. It is not cured, but a good quality of life can be offered to the dog with diet and drugs.
On the other hand, heart failure can be the cause of pleural effusion, which is an accumulation of serum or blood in the chest. It is an extremely serious situation that compromises the dog’s breathing, making it a veterinary emergency.
My dog breathes fast and shakes
If a dog breathes fast and short, trembles, hypersalives, vomits, etc., it may be suffering from poisoning. There are many products capable of poisoning a dog, such as detergents, insecticides, medicines, some foods, rodenticides or plants.
The intensity of the symptoms will depend on the amount of the poison with which the dog has contacted, its size or the substance in question. In any case, if we suspect that the dog has been intoxicated, we must immediately transfer it to the vet.
On the other hand, insect bites can also trigger anaphylactic shock with increased respiratory rate. They are veterinary emergencies.
Other causes of rapid breathing in dogs
Finally, we review other reasons why we may notice that our dog breathes fast and short:
- Pneumonia: it can also cause fever, runny nose, cough or, in the most severe cases, a bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen. If this picture is maintained, respiration can be compromised to the point of causing a collapse. Pneumonia has to be treated by the vet. It can be due to the presence of viruses, bacteria, fungi or even parasites, hence the need for a good diagnosis to be able to get the treatment right. It affects more animals that are already weakened, older or still immature, such as puppies.
- Heat stroke: this is another serious cause of rapid breathing. It is due to an increase in body temperature that, if not corrected, becomes fatal. Other symptoms are thick saliva, very red mucous membranes, or bloody diarrhea. It is a veterinary emergency.
- Dehydration: occurs when more fluids are lost than replaced. The frequency of breathing increases and we will appreciate sunken eyes, dry mouth or sticky gums. Seek veterinary assistance and stabilize the dog with the administration of intravenous fluids.
- Shock: caused by bleeding, heart problems, allergic reactions, severe dehydration, poisoning or generalized infections. It increases the frequency of respiration and poses a risk to the life of the dog. In the final stages of shock, respiration slows. It is essential to go to the vet and even then the prognosis will be reserved.
What happens when a dog breathes with difficulty?
Difficulty breathing for a dog is not a good sign. Although there are breeds of dogs that have more problems breathing, such as bulldogs or boxers, it is a symptom that should not be overlooked. Therefore, in the event of any anomaly, we encourage you to take your pet to the vet.
