Introduction
A dog’s breath is more than just a sign of life; it shows its health and happiness. When a dog begins to breathe shallowly, it can be unsettling for its human caretakers. Shallow breathing in dogs may indicate a range of issues, from minor conditions like stress or overheating to more serious health concerns such as respiratory infections, heart problems, or pain. It’s essential to monitor the dog’s behavior and overall health.
Most often, they reveal underlying health-related problems that may need immediate attention.
This is an understanding that has to be made since 70% of owners consider the animals to be family.
We will discuss what shallow breathing in dogs is, its symptoms, and what to do to keep your dog healthy and fit.
What is shallow breathing?
Shallow breathing is also called hypoventilation. It is a pattern of breathing in which the dog breathes very rapidly but in small, shallow breaths without engaging the diaphragm.
While normal, deep breathing is a natural end in itself, shallow breaths indicate that something is awry with the dog.
Understanding Normal Breathing in Dogs
Therefore, normal breathing should first be understood to identify shallow breathing. For most dogs, the normal respiratory rate can be from 10 to 30 breaths per minute. However, normal breathing rates vary according to size and age, let alone activity level.
Larger breeds, thus, tend to breathe slower, while smaller ones usually have faster rates.
Shallow breathing typically manifests with poor chest expansion and a general quickening of the respiratory rate. Recognizing this change might be useful when evaluating your dog’s health status.
Causes of Shallow Breathing in Dogs
Establishing the possible causes of shallow breathing may help you act appropriately. Some commonly occurring causes include,
1. Respiratory Problems
Pneumonia generally causes shallow breathing and can be associated with other symptoms such as persistent coughing, fever, or lethargy.
Another respiratory problem is bronchitis-airway inflammation, usually caused by allergies or infection due to other types of irritants.
This may narrow the passageway of air, allowing the dog to breathe shallow and rapid. In small breeds, a very common problem is the collapsing trachea, where the trachea itself weakens to affect the deep breathing of a dog.
2. Heat Stress and Overexertion
Dogs are susceptible to overheating, particularly during hot seasons or after play involving extreme exertion. One way the body may try to cool itself when a dog overheat is by shallow and fast breathing.
3. Cardiovascular Problems
Certain heart diseases can impact how effectively the heart functions. For instance, congestive heart failure is a serious condition that can lead to the heart’s inability to maintain normal blood circulation. This often results in elevated breathing rates and increased respiratory effort.
4. Anxiety and Stress
Stress can cause a dog’s emotional state to manifest as physical symptoms, including shallow breathing patterns. Noisy anxiety, changes, and new environments can cause shallow breathing.
5. Obesity
The extra fat may burden a dog’s respiratory system, straining it so it cannot breathe deeply. Overweight dogs can present shallow breathing patterns, especially when working out.
How to Identify Shallow Breathing
Knowing how shallow breathing looks on your dog is important, so early intervention may be afforded. Here’s what to look for:
- Rate of Breathing – Know your dog’s breathing rate. Any dramatic variation from normal may indicate a problem.
- Physical Appearance – Observe the rise and fall of the chest. During shallow breathing, there may be minimum chest expansion, and your dog’s nostrils may flare out by inhaling more oxygen.
- Changes in Behaviour: Shallow breathing can be attributed to changes in behaviour like a dog acting lethargic, not wanting to move, or is in distress. If a normally active dog suddenly becomes inactive, then that’s something that needs your attention.
Symptoms That Come Along with Shallow Breathing
In most cases, shallow breathing presents itself with other symptoms, which may hint at the probable condition that is bringing it about. Common symptoms include:
1. Coughing/Wheezing
Continuous coughing and wheezing, together with laboured breathing, can give some hints about some respiratory problems.
2. Heavy Breathing
While it will be normal to find them panting over increased heat or after exercise, heavy panting at rest may suggest distress in your dogs. To dogs panting for no reason, this may relate to shallow breathing of a dog.
3. Cyanosis
Of course, if she shows any cyanosis or the development of a bluish colour on the gums or tongue, she needs attention immediately. The bluish colour shows that your dog is lacking oxygen.
4. Heart Rate Increased
An increased heart rate with shallow breathing may indicate pain, stress/anxiety, or a serious health issue.
5. Lethargy
If your dog’s lethargy includes abnormal fatigue or unresponsiveness, that will indicate a critical health issue. That can be treated as another symptom of shallow breathing that needs immediate veterinary attention.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
The ability to identify shallow breathing as a sign warranting a vet visit might be the one thing that saves your dog’s life.
Situations where a consultation with a veterinary specialist needs to be sought are given below:
I. Prolonged Shallow Breathing – If the shallow breathing of your dog continues for quite some time. Or is accompanied by other distressing symptoms, then it’s about time you called your veterinarian.
II. Serious Signs – If a dog is acting weak, depressed, vomiting, or experiencing heavy coughing, it should be checked by a dog owner immediately. The prognosis is normally better the quicker this disease is treated.
III. Changes in Behaviour – It can be life-threatening when your pet quickly becomes unusually aggressive, withdrawn, or fearful.
Diagnosis of the Underlying Cause
Once you take your dog for an examination at your veterinarian, your dog will be put through various tests which may involve checking:
- Physical Examination – This primarily deals with the examination of your pet for signs of distress along with the auscultation of heart and lung sounds.
- Chest X-rays – This would help in visualizing lungs, heart, and airways of blockage, fluid accumulation, or any other structural anomaly by the doctor.
- Blood Tests – The infection, anemia, and other systemic problems which may account for the respiratory distress could be viewed through blood tests.
- Ultrasound – This may be recommended in selected rare cases to examine the heart and lungs more closely when cardiac conditions are suspected.
- Computed Tomography – This is required in certain cases. A CT provides highly structured and detailed, high-resolution images of the dog’s inner structures.
Shallow Breathing Treatment Options
Based on your diagnosis, several treatment options can be beneficial in aiding your pooch. Following are some prevalent modes of remedy:
1. Medication
If any resultant infection needs attention, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics. Medication like Bronchodilator dilates the airways. This, makes it easy for your dog to breathe.
Additionally, Corticosteroid administration can be done to decrease airway inflammation in diseases involving asthma or allergic reactions.
2. Oxygen Therapy
Supplemental oxygen is necessary to help increase oxygen levels in the blood to avoid respiratory strain.
3. Lifestyle Changes
Treatment may include lifestyle changes for your dog if the cause is stress or other environmental factors contributing to shallow breathing.
4. Surgery
The very worst cases, which involve collapsing trachea and even tumours, may require surgery so that the pet will be able to breathe normally.
5. Hydration and Nutrition
This would be proper rehydration and nutrition to ensure the general health and recovery of pets with respiratory problems.
Preventing Shallow Breathing in Dogs
Not all shallow breathing incidents can be prevented; however, there are things you can do to minimize risks, including:
- Regular check-ups can avoid problems or catch them in their early stages.
- Weight management within the range. Obesity exposes your dog to various health problems, including respiratory ones.
- When at all possible, find your dog in a quiet area of the house. If your dog tends to become stressed, you may want to try one of several different calming methods, such as calm music or anxiety wraps.
- If it is hot outside, at least provide your dog with some shade and some water. Avoid excessive exercise during the hottest part of the day to avoid overheating.
- Avoid allergens that can upset a dog’s respiratory system. Regular cleaning of your home will reduce the allergen.
- Educate yourself. Knowledge of the breed can help to expect some health diseases. For example, breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs are more prone to breathing difficulties.
- Consider herbs for dogs that may promote relaxation and respiratory health. Natural supplements like chamomile or valerian root can help alleviate stress, and some herbs like mullein are known to support the respiratory system. Always consult your vet before introducing new remedies.
Conclusion
Shallow breathing can be quite a serious problem for the dogs. They tell a lot about many health-related issues of your canine friend.
As a responsible and caring pet owner, you are supposed to be very keen on recognizing the signs and symptoms concerning shallow breathing in dogs.
By learning some possible causes and also when to consult a veterinarian, you might help your dog get needed treatment.
