Why is my dog hyperventilating? Here’s What to Expect

How to Stop a Dog from Hyperventilating

Why is my dog hyperventilating?

The key to stopping hyperventilation is identifying and treating the source of the problem. If your dog seems to be breathing quickly due to a clear cause—like the sight of grooming tools—her breathing should calm down within 15 to 20 minutes once the trigger has been removed.

If your dog hasn’t stopped panting or is hyperventilating in her sleep or for no readily apparent reason, seek veterinary attention ASAP.

What are the Main Dog’s Hyperventilation Symptoms?

The name “dog hyperventilation” is exactly as it sounds. If your dog is hyperventilating, he will exhibit exacerbated breathing distress accompanied by rapid breathing; he will breathe faster and faster, trying to catch his breath. Impeded dog breathing is accompanied by other symptoms such as drooling, blue or pale oral tissue (e.g., gums, lips, and inner cheeks), and lethargy. In extreme cases, hyperventilation may lead to collapse, putting your dogs life in jeopardy. The last symptom is the most dangerous of them all, as a collapsed dog can go into heart failure.

What to do if your Dog is Hyperventilating

All episodes of excessive panting should be treated as serious illnesses until your vet can rule out all possible causes of hyperventilating or excessive panting. If you suspect that your dog is panting excessively due to stress or excitement, try to remove the dog from the situation in order to help bring breathing back to normal.

It should also be stated here that owners should do their best to contain their anxiety when they witness an episode of excessive panting or hyperventilating. Your dog will often mirror your behavior, and if he or she is already upset because of breathing difficulties, your nervousness will only exacerbate the problem.

You may not be able to prevent all episodes of hyperventilation in your dog. Your dog may simply need anxiety medications for stressful situations, and your vet may recommend a “thunder vest” if medicine is not an option you want to take. You may have to condition your pet to deal with certain situations such as the vet or groomer. If you suspect your dog has gotten too hot, immediately bring her inside and allow her rest and drink water (be sure she does not drink excessively).

Hyperventilation can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your dog has hyperventilation or is at risk, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Trupanion. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!

Depending upon the cause of your dog’s hyperventilation, treatment can be expensive. For instance, treating your anxiety in your dog is relatively inexpensive. Treating more serious diseases such as metabolic acidosis can be expensive ranging from $500 to $5,000. The national average for treating metabolic acidosis is $3,000.

Worried about the cost of treating your pets symptoms?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Why Is My Dog Hyperventilating, Why does this happen, and things you can do to help.

Dogs pant and breathe fast for a variety of reasons. Not all panting is abnormal, though. If your dog is playing hard with you or other pets in your home, it wouldnt be that alarming to see them panting. After all, we breathe faster when we are active. Furthermore, dogs pant to help regulate their body temperature. It also should be noted that panting doesnt necessarily equal difficulty breathing. Dogs that are having difficulty breathing may be stretching their neck out, they may be holding their elbows away from their body to allow their chest to rise and fall more, and you may also see something called an abdominal component to their breathing.

If you ever see your dog breathing in this manner, you should seek medical attention immediately. Heres what else you should know about whats going on with your dog if its breathing fast.