Excessive Panting in Dogs

You may expect your dog to breathe harder while playing and running, but what does it mean when they pant while resting or sleeping? Here, our Nashua vets share the common causes and symptoms of excessive panting in dogs and when you should seek emergency veterinary care.

Why is excessive panting in dogs so concerning?

Did you know that dogs don't sweat? This means that they can't cool down in the same way that you and I can. Instead, they cool themselves using the water within their body. But how does this work? Which property of water allows dogs to cool themselves?

The answer is simple: the water evaporates within their mouth and respiratory system. Vaporizing this water at high heat creates a cooling effect from within. So the answer to that question is the water vapors.

Typically, overheating and excessive exercise are the main causes of panting. However, panting can sometimes be caused by something more serious.

If you notice that your dog is struggling to breathe or that their lips and tongue are changing color, you should contact your primary care vet or nearest emergency animal hospital immediately.

Symptoms of Rapid or Heavy Panting in Dogs

To determine if your dog is breathing too fast or panting excessively, you will need to measure their breathing while resting. This can be done anytime your dog is lying down and relaxing.

If your dog only occasionally pants and otherwise seems fine, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Still, there will be other times when your dog needs immediate veterinary care. Some other things to consider include:

If you say yes to any of these questions, you should contact an emergency veterinary hospital as soon as possible to have your dog examined.

Causes of Heavy Panting in Dogs

There are several possible reasons why a dog may begin to pant excessively. These include:

Heat Stroke

When a dog becomes too hot and cannot cool down, it can lead to a serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as heat stroke. If your dog begins to experience this concern, the first sign you may see is excessive panting. You must bring your dog in for emergency care when you notice the signs of heat stroke.

Poisoning

If your dog is showing signs of excessive panting, there is a chance that it may have ingested something they shouldn't and is now experiencing the signs of poisoning. Poisoning in dogs is a common veterinary emergency, and if you are concerned that this may have occurred, you should contact your nearest emergency veterinary hospital as soon as possible. Some of the most common causes of poisoning in dogs include chocolate or raisin ingestion, swallowing dangerous plants, or licking things like antifreeze or rodent poison.

Heart Failure

The heart pumps fresh, oxygenated blood around your dog's body. Unfortunately, over time, the heart may begin to lose its ability to function well, and dogs might begin to show several signs, including weakness, coughing and exercise intolerance. One of the most common signs is also panting, as this is the body's way of elevating oxygen levels very quickly.

Brachycephalic Syndrome

This syndrome affects the breeds of dogs with short, smooshed faces and noses. This smooshed face can cause difficulties in breathing. You may notice the signs of this more often when they are eating or drinking or if they have been heavily exercising. Vets refer to this as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which is the narrowing of the upper respiratory tract.

Respiratory Illness

If your dog is suffering from any condition or illness that affects their respiratory system, it can lead to heavy panting. Some of the conditions that cause this excessive panting include laryngeal paralysis, lung tumors and pneumonia. It is also important to mention that respiratory conditions can happen more frequently as your pup ages. Excessive panting in older dogs should be addressed as soon as possible.

Anemia

If your dog experiences a sudden decrease in red blood cells, the resulting concern is known as anemia. The red blood cells in your dog's body help carry much-needed oxygen around the body to all tissues and organs. Unfortunately, with this condition, your dog's body may become deprived of oxygen, which will cause them to pant to help elevate their oxygen levels.

Obesity

Obesity is a common, preventable condition that can lead to several serious health concerns. As your dog's body struggles to get fresh, oxygenated blood to their organs, they may excessively pant.

Cushing’s Disease

Cushing's Disease causes a dog's glands to produce higher-than-normal cortisol levels. If your dog is affected by this condition, they will likely urinate more often, drink more water and pant heavily.

How to Prevent Dogs From Panting Excessively

There is no easy answer to preventing panting in dogs, as it depends on the reason behind it. You can monitor your dog closely and take action as needed, such as the steps listed below.

What to Do if Your Dog Begins Panting

If your dog starts to breathe heavily or pant excessively, you can take a few steps to help them cool down, like:

1. Provide your dog with water.
2. Move them to a cooler spot.
3. Apply a cool compress to their face and body.
4. Use white noise or similar sounds to help them relax.
5. Comfort your pet and speak to them in a calm and soothing voice.
6. Contact your vet right away to schedule an examination.

When is rapid panting in dogs a veterinary emergency?

If you see your dog excessively panting when resting or breathing heavily while sleeping, it may be experiencing respiratory distress. If your pooch exhibits any of the following symptoms, you should immediately contact your primary care vet or our emergency vets. You will be given instructions to follow while you go to the animal hospital. Some of the signs of an emergency include:

• Heavy, fast breathing that’s louder or different sounding than normal panting
• Their panting starts suddenly
• Open-mouthed breathing while at rest
• Reluctance to drink, eat or move
• Pale, blue-tinged, or brick-red gums
• Out-of-character drooling
• Noticeably labored breathing (engaging stomach muscles to help breathe)

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

If your dog seems to be breathing heavily or excessively panting, please contact our Nashua emergency and specialty vets immediately.