If dogs suddenly breathe quickly, it could indicate asthma, allergic reactions or poisoning. Among other things, it can also be due to bronchitis, Cushing's syndrome, hyperthyroidism or heart failure.
During physical exertion, it is completely normal for your breathing rate to increase. However, when resting, he should breathe on average between 15 and 30 times per minute.
A stopwatch and a tally sheet are sufficient for measuring. It should also be taken into account that small and young four-legged friends tend to breathe faster than large and old dogs.
If your dog is breathing unusually quickly, it could be a sign of the following 15 causes.
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#1 Asthma
If the dog's airways are chronically inflamed and therefore react overly sensitively, then doctors speak of “asthma”.
Even the slightest irritation, such as heat, allergens or exertion, can lead to paroxysms of shortness of breath. Typical triggers for this are:
- mold spores
- Cat hair
- Insecticides
- Cigarette smoke
- pollen and grasses
- Room scents
Upon contact, the airways usually swell, meaning dogs have to breathe very quickly to maintain their oxygen supply. Other classic signs include:
- Heavy panting
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden cough
- Heavy breathing
- Panicked behavior
- Pale gums
- Lack of energy
Asthma is currently considered incurable. For this reason, it is important to prevent potential triggers as best as possible. Medication can also alleviate the symptoms.
Dogs with asthma often experience paroxysmal shortness of breath when inhaling certain irritants. You can tell if the dog is panting heavily, breathing quickly and the gums are paler. This usually goes away on its own within a few minutes.
#2 Laryngeal paralysis
The movements of the larynx are controlled by the muscles there. However, if the nerves in the muscles fail, paralysis can occur.
Since the larynx is essential for eating, drinking and breathing, such a disease usually presents itself early. Typical signs of this are:
- Voice pitch changes
- Frequent choking when drinking
- Discoloration of the mucous membranes
- Rattling breathing
- Constant choking and coughing
- Dog breathes quickly
- Problems eating
Fortunately, the symptoms usually appear gradually. The cause of this is still unclear. However, the following breeds are said to be most commonly affected:
- Labrador retrievers
- Siberian Husky
- Newfoundland
- Golden retrievers
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Dalmatian
At the beginning, most of the symptoms can still be treated with medication. However, over time, surgical correction may also be necessary.
Dogs with laryngeal paralysis usually have increasing problems with breathing. Among other things, it can be recognized by the fact that there are rattling noises when breathing, the breathing frequency increases and the dog constantly chokes when drinking.
#3 Brachycephalic syndrome
Nowadays, the breeding of dogs in Germany is subject to strict guidelines. Things used to be different. This explains why there is still a lot of “torture breeding” today.
The “brachycephalic breeds” are the prime example here. In order to achieve the short snouts of these animals, breathing problems were willingly accepted.
Or to put it another way: These breeds have had more problems in the past because of their breeding. The best known brachycephalic breeds are:
- English bulldog
- Boston terriers
- pug
- Chihuahuas
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Pekingese
The problem? In many cases, due to breeding, these dogs' nostrils are so narrow that they have to breathe much faster to take in the same amount of oxygen.
In addition, the palate of these four-legged friends is often so long that it narrows the airways. Shortness of breath occurs more often during heat or physical exertion.
Due to breeding, the nostrils of dogs with brachycephalic syndrome are so narrow that the affected four-legged friends have to breathe much harder and faster. In some cases the problems are so severe that the airways have to be surgically widened.
#4 Anemia
After oxygen has been absorbed via the lungs, it is transported to the corresponding organs via the blood. More precisely, with red blood cells.
In some dogs, however, the proportion of these blood cells is so low that insufficient oxygen reaches the organs. Typical causes of this are:
- genetics
- Cushing's syndrome
- Medication
- Blood-sucking parasites
- Infectious diseases
- Internal bleeding
The rapid breathing here is simply an attempt to be able to supply all organs despite the lack of oxygen supply. Other typical symptoms are:
- Constant tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Cold ears
- Dog tires quickly
- Changing stool color
- Pale gums
- Fast pulse
To determine the level of red blood cells, a doctor usually carries out a blood test. This can usually be treated well with the help of medication.
In dogs with anemia, too little oxygen reaches the body when they breathe normally. For this reason, affected dogs breathe unusually quickly. Anemia can also be recognized by the fact that the four-legged friend is constantly tired and sleeps a lot.
#5 Allergic reaction
According to studies, up to 20% of all dogs suffer from allergies. This is triggered by so-called “allergens”. The most common representatives here include:
- pollen and grasses
- Dairy, grain and soy products
- Insecticides and other chemicals
- Proteins of certain types of meat
- Home fragrances and perfumes
Here I recommend paying attention to when exactly the symptoms occur. Because this often provides conclusions about the potential trigger. Typical symptoms of allergies are:
- Severe itching
- Rapid breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Strange breathing
- Runny nose
- Redness and swelling
- Diarrhea
Since there is no cure for allergies, it is important to avoid the responsible allergens. If you suspect the food, I recommend doing a food check like this.
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Dogs with allergies often experience breathing problems when they come into contact with the allergens. Among other things, it can be recognized by the fact that the symptoms appear abruptly, the dog constantly scratches itself, breathes quickly or even vomits. An allergy test can help here.
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#6 Heart failure
The heart also plays a role in supplying oxygen. Oxygen is absorbed through the lungs, but the cardiovascular system then distributes it.
The problem? If the blood circulation pump is too weak, too little oxygen reaches the muscles and organs. Typical causes of this are:
- Heart muscle disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Heartworms
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Disease of the heart valves
What is noticeable here is that dogs breathe quickly both during the day and while sleeping. In addition, there are usually other pathological symptoms. This includes:
- Heavy panting
- Constant tiredness
- Coughing and wheezing
- Frequent breathlessness
- Accumulation of water in the abdomen
- Lack of motivation
Old dogs in particular are affected by this. For diagnosis, an ECG is usually carried out and the blood is examined. You should definitely visit the vet here.
In dogs with heart failure, the entire organism is often a little slower. This can usually be recognized by the fact that the dog sleeps a lot, gets exhausted very quickly and is almost always tired. But rapid breathing and constant panting are also common here.
#7 Cushing's syndrome
Normally, larger amounts of stress hormones are only released when dogs are in a stressful or life-threatening situation.
However, in Cushing's syndrome, excessive amounts of stress hormones are constantly released – regardless of the situation. The causes of this are:
- 80% tumor in the pituitary gland
- 20% tumor in the adrenal glands
The hormonal disorder can usually be recognized by dogs suddenly becoming very thirsty, breathing quickly and constantly panting. Other classic symptoms are:
- Strong appetite
- Hair loss
- Recurrent inflammation
- Crusty skin
- Swollen stomach
- Frequent urge to urinate
If the underlying tumor is discovered early, it can often be removed surgically. If not, medication is usually used.
Dogs with Cushing's syndrome have consistently elevated levels of stress hormones. In practice, this means that they are constantly thirsty, eat a lot and also breathe faster. It also leads to hair loss and water retention over time.
#8 Narrowed airways
If the airways are narrowed, too little oxygen reaches the body at a normal breathing rate. Possible causes of this are:
Dogs' natural curiosity can sometimes be their downfall. This happens when they accidentally swallow things and they get stuck in their throat.
In some dogs, the neck, palate, and throat do not develop as usual. Any abnormalities can therefore make breathing difficult.
Viral or bacterial infections in the throat and throat area can narrow the airways. Affected dogs therefore usually breathe faster than average.
Hunting dogs more often snap at wasps, bees or even hornets. However, if they bite into the throat, the airways can swell.
Tumors in the area of the lower and upper respiratory tract usually have an impact on the four-legged friend's breathing when they reach a certain size.
Swallowed foreign bodies, swelling caused by inflammation or even insect bites can narrow the airways and make breathing difficult. Less commonly, tumors or developmental disorders can also be behind rapid breathing.
#9 Poisoning
Even if the news often talks about poison bait, in reality it is usually the dog owners themselves who are behind poisoning – just not on purpose.
The reason? Beginners often assume that foods from their everyday diet must also be healthy for dogs. However, the following foods are toxic:
- Grapes, raisins and wine
- Walnuts and macadamia nuts
- Beer, hops and alcohol
- Leeks, onions and garlic
- Chocolate and cocoa products
Swallowing chemical cleaning agents or toxic plants can also be the cause. Classic signs of this include: