Tachypnea is a gas exchange disorder in which carbon dioxide accumulates in the blood and oxygen levels decrease. As a result, the animal experiences increased respiratory rate. Often, a dog breathes very quickly due to health problems. In healthy individuals, the breathing rate is from 10 to 30 breaths per minute. This figure is average.
It is necessary to take into account the dog's age, size and breed. Large dogs breathe less frequently - 10-20 breaths per minute. Small breeds more often – 15-30 breaths per minute. At the same time, female individuals have a higher breathing rate.
There is no need to panic if puppies have rapid breathing - they always breathe loudly and more often than adult dogs. At night, all animals breathe more calmly than during the day.
Animal lung ventilation depends on large quantity factors. Heavy breathing the dog may experience it due to very hot weather or physical activity. After walking or street games Your pet's heart rate will increase. Therefore, the normal consequence will be intermittent and rapid breathing in the dog over the next half hour.
There is no need to worry about rapid breathing caused by intense emotions of rage or excitement. A trip to a place far from home, a visit to the veterinarian, or a noisy crowd of people excites pet. Stress and nervous situations also cause shortness of breath. Tachypnea can also indicate physiological characteristics such as pregnancy or sexual arousal.
There is nothing surprising in the dog having difficulty breathing when the oxygen supply is reduced in confined spaces. Also, the frequency of inhalations depends on what the dog is breathing. It is better to exclude walking in industrial zones. Toxic trace elements can settle on the animal's lungs and cause breathing difficulties.
Breeds with a flattened nose due to anatomical structure suffer from tachypnea throughout their lives. Therefore, if such a dog breathes frequently and sticks out its tongue, this is the norm. The pet may also wheeze and sniffle in its sleep. This only indicates a relaxed breathing apparatus or an uncomfortable posture during rest.
Tachypnea in dogs is not always a harmless phenomenon. If, against the background of restless breathing, the animal exhibits other symptoms - weakness, shortness of breath, diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting - you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian. Respiratory dysfunction may have the following causes:
There are two types of difficulty breathing in dogs: superficial and deep. Superficial increase in frequency is usually associated with fever, inflammation of the bronchi, or swelling of the lung tissue.
If your pet is breathing quickly but deeply, it may be due to oxygen deficiency. A stressful situation and heavy exertion also cause deep shortness of breath.
If wheezing tachypnea occurs suddenly and is not preceded by physical activity, the dog may be in dangerous condition. Therefore, when detecting the following serious symptoms You should immediately contact your veterinarian:
Often after dog injections, dogs begin to have convulsive heart rate or tachycardia occurs. These processes are accompanied by tachypnea. If it is difficult for an animal to inhale and exhale normally immediately after vaccination, the first thing you need to understand is that this is not an allergy. It can lead to anaphylactic shock and cause death. Therefore, it is necessary to stay with your pet in the clinic for half an hour after the procedure.
If a dog is breathing spasmodically several hours after vaccination, this means that the immune system has responded to the vaccine. In that case high frequency breathing may be accompanied by loss of appetite, decreased activity, indigestion and fever. Typically, respiratory function returns to normal within 24 hours.
When a dog is exposed heatstroke, her breathing may become faster, as if she has undergone a lot of physical exertion. The animal becomes lethargic. As first aid, you should provide the dog with access to water. The dog is placed in a cool and well-ventilated area. If your dog continues to breathe heavily after this, you can apply ice to the head and belly. You can also cover your pet with a wet towel.
If respiratory function has not recovered within 24 hours, you should consult a veterinarian.
The dog is breathing frequently and due to serious medical procedures. Anesthesia is stress for the body. After this, the animal may be in a restless state. This happens when the effect of anesthesia wears off and the dog begins to experience discomfort after the intervention. IN in this case The pet is given an anesthetic drug that the veterinarian recommended as treatment.
Tachypnea in this case may indicate intoxication of the body or pulmonary edema after surgery. It is impossible to cope with these problems at home, so it is necessary to urgently take the animal to veterinary clinic.
It is especially important to monitor the breathing of a pregnant bitch. In this position, tachypnea may signal impending labor. If your pregnant dog is breathing heavily later– there is no reason to worry.
However, the dog's rapid breathing is early should cause concern to the owner. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of pathology and prevent the occurrence of miscarriage.
It is impossible to do this on your own, so it is recommended to seek help from specialists. During lactation, the dog's breathing is also uneven, which is not a deviation.
First of all, you need to quickly eliminate external factors: stress, heat, anxiety. You should provide the dog with a comfortable environment. It is necessary to create good ventilation in the room where the pet will lie. In order not to aggravate the situation, you should not lift the animal’s head and forcefully feed it water. If the temperature is high, you can apply ice.
If the dog begins to choke, tremble and cough, you should resort to an oxygen mask. If your tongue turns blue, which is a sign of heart failure, you should put heating pads on your dog's paws. But if breathing is not restored, you should immediately show the dog to a veterinarian. Tachypnea cannot be ignored, since the frequency is not always breathing movements returns to normal on its own.
Popular
ABOUT serious problems Shortness of breath in a dog, which occurs during slight physical exertion or at rest, is a sign of health. If your breathing becomes faster after a long run or weight training, there is no need to worry. Difficulty breathing is characterized by lack of air, disturbance of the rhythm and intensity of respiratory movements. Shortness of breath is often a sign of illness. With the help of shortness of breath, the lack of oxygen is replenished and the accumulated excess carbon dioxide is released. With difficulty breathing, a change in its frequency and depth occurs.
Sources of pathology are varied, they can directly indicate disease respiratory system or indirectly influence its development. Let's give an example:
In all of these cases, the dog is breathing heavily and shaking. The owner should immediately contact a veterinarian, excluding the postoperative period.
The owners of the puppies closely monitor them. Due to inexperience in cynology, the baby’s behavior provokes the owner to worry and can cause confusion because the puppy is breathing frequently. The cause of a puppy's rapid breathing can be overwhelming emotions or overexcitement. It is not uncommon to see your puppy breathing rapidly while sleeping. In most cases this is normal physiological state of the baby. If he behaves cheerfully, cheerfully and has good appetite, then there is no need to worry about resorting to a full diagnosis.
Among the wide variety of dog breeds, there are species that have specific shortness of breath. They are called brachycephalic breeds. Animals in this category are predisposed to panting, which can last from 15 minutes to one hour. Having narrowed nostrils and an elongated soft palate, breathing is difficult and cannot be physically normal.
Another reason for increased breathing is stress, anxiety, elevated temperature bodies. Boxers are prone to pericardial tumors and lung cancer. Large breeds, Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes can suffer from cardiomyopathy and heart failure due to blood stagnation. Small breeds Pekingese and Pugs can be at risk of suffering bronchitis and tracheal collapse, which can occur chronic forms. Frequent stories of diagnosing a small group of defects mitral valve. Medium-sized breeds are more resistant to these diseases: bulldogs and bullmastiffs.
A dog's rapid breathing on the eve of childbirth is not associated with illness, but is physiological norm. This behavior is common to all mammals and primates. After giving birth, the dog still breathes very often long time, recovering from the shock he suffered. Having undergone surgery under general anesthesia, the animal greatly increases its respiratory rhythm. This is also normal instinctive behavior that will accompany the dog until full recovery from the action of the drug.
If you notice your pet has an unhealthy appearance and lethargic behavior when rapid breathing, which is accompanied by additional pathological factors:
You should immediately call a veterinarian to your home or go with four-legged friend to the veterinary hospital. Any delay can lead to complications of the disease with serious consequences. Veterinarians often practice diagnostics to identify the causes of shortness of breath.
Would be a good addition full story dog illness for medical examination. First of all, a visual examination is done. Measure blood pressure . Then the animal’s heart and lungs are carefully listened to using a light scope. X-ray chest is also necessary. For more accurate diagnosis an electrocardiogram will be performed and ultrasound examination hearts. They'll take it for the last time biochemical analysis blood.
Wearing an oxygen mask will help prevent your dog from becoming agitated. It is much easier for a veterinarian to work with a calm animal. If the patient begins to choke, tracheal intubation will follow. With increased under stress The doctor will use medications to reduce it. When diagnosing fluid in the chest- thoracentesis, a special needle is used to remove effusion.
Suitable for reducing pulmonary edema diuretic furosemide He is able to help with very severe swelling respiratory organs. Drugs that support cardiac activity are used when the dog experiences suffocation and makes severe wheezing in its sleep. If a severe case is detected, surgery may be performed.
Hospitalization is necessary if the dog's life is threatened. Home care promotes the recovery of a four-legged friend in an apartment with proper treatment by the owner after consultation with a veterinarian. Who advises not to limit the dog’s access to water, especially when prescribing diuretics. They can cause dehydration in the animal. Don't miss appointments medical examinations from the attending doctor. Strictly follow the instructions of the veterinary clinic and do not treat with unknown drugs. All medications are prescribed only by the attending physician. Inattention can lead to the death of your beloved pet.
The dog needs to be provided with complete rest and correct mode nutrition. Food should contain a lot useful substances and vitamins. If your dog has a hard time eating, you can feed him meat broth. There should be no drafts in the room; it is better if it is quite warm and comfortable. If there is a chill, it is a good idea to cover your dog with a blanket or place a heating pad next to it. Walking time should be limited based on the patient’s condition. Water procedures during this period are very undesirable, especially if it is a cold season.
Attention, TODAY only!
When the owner sees that his dog is breathing heavily and rapidly open mouth, he should be wary. It may not just be rapid breathing after a walk, but alarming symptom. Below we will look at what are the reasons for what happens to the dog.
This happens more often with breeds large dogs who are overweight, move little and rarely leave home. If your beloved dog is quite well-fed, and you notice that he is breathing more often and his tongue takes on a bluish tint, and at the same time, his enthusiasm for walks and communication drops sharply, just in case, take him to the veterinarian.
Moreover, some breeds of large dogs, even if they are in good shape, may have congenital cardiac problems that are hereditary diseases. To ensure that your pet is not in danger, it is recommended that he undergo a cardiac examination once a year, which will relieve you of unnecessary anxiety and worry.
The dog may pant frequently during play. But if a dog that loves playing with the ball begins to get tired quickly, breathes heavily, looks for shade and wants to lie down, then this is an alarming symptom that is worth paying attention to. Well, if your dog is clinically healthy, perhaps he is just tired and really needs to rest a little and just lie in the shade.
In hot weather, when transporting a dog, owners may also notice that the animal begins to breathe heavily. Breathing in a way that is not typical for him - often, with effort, opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue, which causes anxiety among vigilant owners. This can happen because the air temperature in the car, in the absence of air conditioning, is several times higher than the air temperature outside. Dogs also have a higher body temperature than humans, and they wear woolen coats, so they can be really uncomfortable in hot weather.
And if you make sure that the car is well ventilated or install air conditioning in it, your pet will be sincerely grateful to you and traveling together will bring you much more joy. Most importantly, never leave your dog locked in the car, even if you stop at a gas station or store for just a few minutes. Use this time to give yourself and your pet a chance to warm up and be happy to continue your journey.
Many dogs of small and medium breeds are purchased as an accessory and their existence in the house is essentially no different from the existence of a sofa cushion. And they are treated not like adult dogs, but like cute little creatures without the right to vote. They are walked with only in good weather, and the rest of the time they go to the toilet for a diaper. They don't play with them much, but they are often taken to the groomer and constantly pampered with treats from the table.
An inactive lifestyle leads to the fact that such dogs very quickly become overweight and they also develop shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. But there is a solution to this problem - food that reduces body weight or treadmills that can be installed at home. Or you can simply build their regime in such a way that they have a constant three times a day walking outside with active games in the circle of the same furry friends.
This doesn't just apply to small dogs. Most dogs eventually acquire the role of just an apartment resident. They are walked little by little, two or three times a day, for 10-15 minutes, while they need to run a lot and develop. And given the fact that animals are sitting at home and their musculoskeletal system does not receive a decent load, over time they develop problems with joints, why dogs feel discomfort and are then even more reluctant to go outside.
When an animal is scared, lost, or frightened by loud noises such as firecrackers, it will also pant heavily and rapidly. In this case, you need to calm the dog and eliminate the source of stress. At the same time, if you know that something scares the dog, for example, the sound of a bursting hot air balloon or the sound of a working vacuum cleaner, then there is no need to specifically provoke and tease her.
If the dog experiences panic attacks during firecracker explosions, you need to contact behavioral specialists to receive adequate correctional therapy. But best way Accustoming an animal to loud sounds means starting its training and socialization as early as possible. How bigger dog will find out the world around us, hear the sounds of the street, meet other people and animals, the more stress-resistant she will be in adulthood.
Often, attentive pet owners notice that their pet has begun to have breathing problems - the dog is breathing heavily, grunting, wheezing and coughing. What to do in such cases and how to provide first aid to the dog?
Short-term or constant shortness of breath in a dog is a disruption in the rate of breathing, its depth and rhythm. This clinical picture is nothing more than defensive reaction the body, with the help of which it replenishes oxygen deficiency in the lungs. This serious disorder is expressed in difficulty breathing when inhaling or exiting, and can be observed at any time.
If the animal has heart failure, shortness of breath significantly interferes with normal blood circulation. Accumulating in the lungs, the liquid provokes a cough, and the dog begins to wheeze.
There are many reasons for difficulty breathing, including physical activity and various diseases body. Therefore, to diagnose the disease, you need to understand the reasons that provoked it.
For ease of diagnosis, the causes of shortness of breath are divided into three volumetric blocks:
The first group includes diseases internal organs and systems, disruption of their operation, various injuries, infections, as well as entry of a foreign object into the respiratory tract. Respiratory shortness of breath Diseases such as pleurisy, pneumonia, tumors in the respiratory tract, fracture, chest contusion, and fluid accumulation in the chest may contribute.
The second group includes cardiovascular problems and circulatory disorders. Cardiogenic shortness of breath is promoted by pulmonary edema, which develops against the background of weakening of the heart muscle. As a rule, the dog has a heart defect, chronic or acute heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and anemia.
Causes belonging to the third group: malignant and benign neoplasms brain, previous head injuries, electrical injuries, hematomas, metabolic disorders and, as a consequence, diabetes, as well as diseases genitourinary system and liver due to the presence of toxins in the blood. Also, shortness of breath can often be caused by severe stress, painful shock, high temperature, obesity.
Representatives of certain breeds are prone to shortness of breath due to the structure of their muzzle - pugs, bulldogs, Pekingese. A flattened nose and the position of the tissues of the soft palate prevent them from breathing fully, inhaling and exhaling air.
Such dogs snore and make a characteristic whistle constantly, even when sleeping. This creates additional stress on the respiratory system, so these breeds most often experience stress, increased temperature, and inflammation, which can lead to serious complications, even death.
Sometimes shortness of breath is observed in dogs that have recently given birth and goes away within 24 hours, but if difficulty breathing lasts more than 24 hours and is accompanied by severe blood loss, loss of coordination, vomiting and hyperthermia, you should promptly call a veterinarian.
Whatever the reason provokes shortness of breath, if the animal has secondary signs(blueness, fainting, severe cough, coughing up blood, etc.), contacting a veterinary clinic should also be done immediately.
If your pet is cheerful and active, plays and runs a lot, then shortness of breath after exercise is normal. After some time, the dog will catch his breath and his breathing will return to normal. Shortness of breath, which manifests itself in a calm state, should be alarming. It comes in three types:
The following symptoms are typical for shortness of breath:
The dog’s behavior also changes, it becomes restless, then indifferent to everything that happens around. You can often notice how she takes a strange pose: she stretches out and spreads her front legs wide.
If you notice that your pet's condition is rapidly deteriorating (he has turned blue, is breathing heavily, and is sticking out his tongue), you need to help him. The first thing you should do is put the animal in a separate room, providing it with complete rest. The room should be cool, often ventilated, but without drafts.
However, if the dog does not want to lie down, then it is useless to insist, as is trying to force him to drink water - these actions can lead to the opposite result.
Call the veterinarian and describe your dog's condition in detail. Before the doctor arrives, you can give the dog crushed suprastin (with a weight of 5-8 kilograms - half a tablet), this will relieve swelling. Next you should massage the chest, back, abdomen and ears. If possible, you can inject the immunostimulant “Gamavit” into all four paws in equal doses.
For severe clinical picture The doctor will have to saturate the animal’s body with oxygen using an oxygen mask. In some cases, artificial ventilation, closed lung massage, or surgery is required.
You need to understand that difficulty breathing in itself is not a disease, but a symptom of a certain illness, therefore treatment will be aimed at eliminating the disease that caused shortness of breath. For example, if a foreign body enters the respiratory tract and thereby causes obstruction, the veterinarian removes the object and then performs ventilation or intubation.
For anemia, diet correction and vitamin therapy are carried out. Indicated in heart failure combination treatment, including the supply of oxygen, taking Nitroglycerin, Corvalol and diuretics.
In some cases, a specialist performs thoracentesis (removal of fluid accumulated in the chest).
For the health of puppies and adult dogs experiencing breathing problems due to physiological characteristics nasopharynx, it is necessary to conduct careful monitoring, since for them even the most harmless cold can be fraught with serious complications.
Serious health problems are indicated by shortness of breath in a dog that occurs during minor physical exertion or at rest. If your breathing becomes faster after a long run or weight training, there is no need to worry.
As a rule, breathing is disrupted in three parameters at once (frequency, depth and rhythm) - this is how the body signals a lack of oxygen.
Signs of respiratory failure:
Important! Need to know that external breathing is closely related to the activity of the circulatory system: that is why failure of breathing always leads to increased work of the heart muscle.
They are grouped into 3 large categories, within which there is a more detailed classification:
These are injuries, diseases (including infectious ones), as well as dysfunction of internal organs.
The catalysts for this type of shortness of breath are:
Shortness of breath of a respiratory nature does not always indicate that the body has pathological process. Sometimes the culprit is foreign object, stuck in the respiratory tract.
Breathing problems also occur with anemia, when all tissues of the dog’s body do not receive enough oxygen. With low hemoglobin levels, it is difficult for a dog to breathe even in a state of complete rest.
This group includes all causes related to a weak heart or poor circulation. This kind of shortness of breath occurs when walking (the animal often sits down/lies down, it does not have enough air) and running (in the vast majority of cases, running is impossible).
Cardiogenic shortness of breath is caused by various ailments, including:
Important! Often, the provocateur of cardiogenic shortness of breath is pulmonary edema, the appearance of which is to blame (in a vicious circle) for the weakness of the heart muscle.
Certain breeds (so-called brachycephalics) suffer from shortness of breath due to the anatomical structure of the muzzle. Brachycephalic syndrome is noted in dogs with flattened noses, such as, and. Interference them proper breathing the position of the tissues of the soft palate becomes.
A natural defect may at any time be superimposed with an additional risk factor in the form of physical activity, stress, heat or inflammation, ultimately leading to deterioration of health and even death of the dog.
In addition, difficulty breathing due to the fault of the central nervous system often occurs as a complication after:
The central nervous system is also to blame for postpartum shortness of breath, which is acceptable and goes away on its own. If difficulty breathing is accompanied by bleeding, fever, loss of coordination and vomiting, urgent help is needed.
Responsibility for respiratory failure is also placed on the central nervous system if the animal has:
IN stressful situation(a fight, a threat to the life of the owner, any danger) adrenaline (fear), cortisol (anxiety), norepinephrine (rage) and other hormones are released into the blood, causing the heart to beat faster. It is logical that the acceleration of blood flow requires oxygen replenishment - which is why dogs begin to breathe rapidly with their mouths open.
If breathing becomes difficult due to strong emotions (stress), the animal should be taken to a cool, quiet place and try to calm it down. When the coat is wet, wipe it soft cloth, not forgetting to stroke the chest.
Important! A dog that has experienced deep stress should not be put down and forced to eat/drink against its will. Drinking cold water can cause pneumonia, swelling or collapse of the lungs (due to the difference in water temperature and “hot” internal organs).
If it is impossible to put the dog down, do not insist: perhaps his lungs are oversaturated with oxygen, and lying down threatens to rupture the lung tissue. If shortness of breath is caused by other reasons, the influx fresh air and peace won't hurt either ( open window, fan, split system).
Experienced dog breeders, especially those whose pets have difficulty breathing, have medications for emergency assistance. Approximate algorithm:
If there is noticeable deterioration, you will need a doctor. Call him at home or take the dog to the clinic. To restore breathing, the doctor removes foreign bodies, applies an oxygen mask, and more severe patients sentences to artificial ventilation lungs or operates.
