When dogs have trouble breathing, it is usually due to narrowed airways or brachycephalic syndrome. Under certain circumstances it can also be an indication of asthma, respiratory infections, hormonal disorders or even poisoning.
If you experience acute shortness of breath, you should contact the emergency veterinary service immediately. Especially when breathing becomes increasingly difficult.
Below you will learn about the 9 most common causes, how you can recognize them and what to do in specific cases.
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#1 Respiratory tract infection
Various inflammations of the airways or the organs responsible for breathing can lead to breathing problems. This includes:
When the lower respiratory tract (“bronchi”) become inflamed due to bacteria, allergies, viruses or other triggers, doctors speak of “bronchitis”.
It can usually be recognized by the dog wheezing when breathing, suddenly starting to cough and choking more often. Rapid breathing is also typical here. [1]
The nasal mucosa covers the inside of the nasal cavities. However, various irritants, allergens or bacteria can trigger inflammation (“rhinitis”).
This is especially the case if your dog only has difficulty breathing through his nose. The infection usually causes the nasal canal to become severely swollen. [2]
The lungs are the pump that sucks in oxygen-rich air and lets out carbon dioxide when you exhale. However, an infection disrupts this function.
What is typical here is that dogs get a high fever, constantly cough and have general difficulty breathing. In addition, affected four-legged friends usually appear listless. [3]
Various inflammations of the respiratory tract can cause dogs to have difficulty breathing. Inflammation of the lungs, bronchi and nasal mucosa are particularly common here. In addition, there are usually other symptoms.
#2 Asthma
If the respiratory tract reacts overly sensitively to pollutants or other air particles, then we are talking about asthma. The airways are usually chronically inflamed.
An “asthma attack” occurs when a dog's airways suddenly swell and he becomes short of breath. The most common triggers include:
- Pollen
- Air pollution
- perfume
- mold spores
- Dust and dust mites
- smoke
- Air freshener [4]
What is striking here is that dogs usually have trouble breathing very suddenly and this is not a permanent condition. Other typical signs of asthma include:
- Constant coughing
- Excessive panting
- Frequent gagging
- Dog breathes quickly
- Bluish gums
- Dog refuses food
- Sudden panic [5]
Unfortunately, asthma cannot yet be cured. For this reason, prevention of potential triggers is your best bet. Medication can also help here.
If dogs have fits of bad breath, this is usually a sign of asthma. Here, various irritants and pollutants in the air cause a sudden swelling of the respiratory tract. In addition, affected dogs usually pant very heavily.
#3 Narrowed airways
The smaller the diameter of the airways, the less air gets into the lungs when you inhale. The most common causes of narrowed airways include:
According to studies, one in five dogs is said to struggle with allergies, which can lead to an allergic reaction in the throat and throat when inhaling or eating.
In some dog breeds, the cartilage along the trachea sometimes collapses for unknown reasons, causing it to become massively narrowed.
If the trachea or other parts of the neck and throat area do not develop properly when they are young, dogs often have trouble breathing. [6]
Dogs' greed or curiosity often leads them to accidentally swallow indigestible things. This can usually be recognized by loud breathing.
Some dogs' hunting instinct is so strong that they even snap at wasps, hornets and bees. However, if you get a bite in the throat, this can be dangerous.
If a tumor forms in the lungs or along the lower or upper respiratory tract, breathing problems usually occur once it reaches a certain size. [7]
Allergic reactions, insect bites and other illnesses can result in the airways becoming narrower and the dog having difficulty breathing. Depending on the cause, the problems can start slowly or abruptly.
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#4 Poisoning
The media suggests that poisoning is usually caused by poison bait. In reality, however, the owners themselves are usually responsible for this – even if unconsciously.
This is because a wide range of everyday foods have toxic effects on dogs. By far the most common triggers are:
- Chocolate
- grapes
- Onions
- Raisins
- cocoa
- Garlic
- alcohol [8]
But swallowing other toxic things can also cause dogs to breathe strangely and have difficulty breathing. Other classic symptoms are:
- Dog is shaking
- Kidney problems
- Sudden diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Profuse salivation [9]
Depending on the type and severity, poisoning can be life-threatening and lead to permanent organ damage. It is important to take action immediately.
When dogs accidentally swallow toxic food or other poisonous things, this usually results in sudden vomiting. Among other things, poisoning can cause your four-legged friend to start shaking and have trouble breathing.
#5 Lack of oxygen transport
Just because enough oxygen has reached the lungs does not mean that all organs are automatically supplied with sufficient supplies. Typical problems here are:
The red blood cells in the blood are responsible for transporting oxygen. However, if dogs have anemia, they don't have enough of it, which leads to an undersupply.
In some cases this is genetic, in others it is caused by hormonal disorders, parasites, medications, infectious diseases or even internal bleeding. [10]
It can usually be recognized by pale gums and constant tiredness. Affected dogs also tire relatively quickly, sleep a lot and breathe quickly while sleeping.
If your dog is having trouble breathing and has a swollen stomach at the same time, this could be a sign of potential heart failure.
Because the heart has several tasks when breathing. On the one hand, it supplies the lungs and other organs, and on the other hand, it also distributes oxygen through the blood.
What is typical here is that affected dogs breathe with difficulty, cough constantly and appear unusually tired. Old dogs in particular are affected by this. [11]
Dogs with anemia or heart failure often experience a lack of oxygen to their organs. Affected dogs usually sleep a lot, generally appear very tired and sometimes have trouble breathing.
#6 Heatstroke
Heat stroke occurs when the dog's body temperature becomes too high. In most cases it is triggered by a high outside temperature.
Especially when dogs are locked in the car in summer. In dogs with a short snout, overexertion can also lead to this. [12]
An increase in body temperature of just 2 °C can result in sudden organ failure. Other typical signs of this are:
- Fast pulse
- Dog has trouble breathing
- Heavy panting
- Dog salivates heavily
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Sudden fainting
- Red gums [13]
Heat stroke occurs much more quickly in dogs than in humans. This is because their fur insulates their body temperature very well.
In addition, they may only sweat on their paws and not all over their body. To treat and prevent further consequences, you should consult a veterinarian.
If dogs are in the heat for too long, their body temperature can rise so much that heat stroke occurs. What is typical here is that dogs pant heavily, have difficulty breathing, their heart rate is increased and they also drool more.
#7 Hormone disorders
Hormones are so-called “messenger substances” and transmit information in the body. Problems with this can therefore also affect breathing. Typical causes here are:
- Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid produces so-called thyroid hormones, which help regulate metabolic processes. These are essential for survival.
It only becomes a problem when the dog produces too many of them due to illness. Because then the entire body runs at full speed non-stop.
In most cases, it can be recognized by dogs becoming hyperactive, suddenly vomiting, having trouble breathing, and losing weight inexplicably. [14]
When dogs feel threatened or experience severe stress, their bodies usually release adrenaline and stress hormones. This is completely natural.
However, Cushing's syndrome causes stress hormones to be constantly released even when at rest. Affected dogs therefore often begin to tremble. [15]
Other typical symptoms include sudden hair loss, intense thirst and rapid breathing. A constant change of berth is also more common here.
Dogs with hyperthyroidism or Cushing's syndrome often have breathing problems and bad air for hormonal reasons. In both cases, however, there are usually other pathological symptoms that can help with the diagnosis.
#8 Brachycephalic syndrome
Statistically speaking, the so-called “brachycephalic breeds” are most likely to suffer from breathing problems. These include those dogs with a flat face.
Due to their breeding, their nostrils are often too narrow. You can tell this because they breathe quickly even with their mouths closed. Affected breeds are:
- Boston terriers
- French bulldog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Pekingese
- Shih Tzu
- pug
- German boxer [16]
In some cases, the airways in the neck area of these dogs are narrowed because the palate is too long due to breeding. As a result, you get significantly worse air quality.
It is typical for affected dogs to become weak quickly, pant constantly and breathe faster even when resting. This is especially true at high temperatures.
Treatment is generally only necessary if the dog is struggling with chronic breathing problems. Here you should visit the vet. [17]
Due to their breeding, dogs with brachycephalic syndrome often have narrowed nasal passages and an overly long palate. In practice it leads…