Sled Dog Society of Wales
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    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
    • CANINE CARE >
      • Anal Glands/Sacks
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      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
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        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
        • Vaccinaions
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
      • Vitaimin E
      • Zinc Deficency
    • Bandaging & Wound Cleaning
    • Emergency First Aid A-Z >
      • Abscesses
      • Adder Snake Bite
      • Bee Stings & Insect Bites
      • Bleeding (external)
      • Bleeding (internal)
      • Bloat
      • Chemical Burns
      • Choking
      • CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation
      • Dehydration
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Difficult Births
      • Drowning
      • Eye Injuries
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
      • Fox Bites
      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
  • Health & Wellbeing
    • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
    • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
    • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
    • Breathing Difficulties
    • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
    • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
    • Epilepsy
    • Hip dysplasia
    • Hypoglycemia
    • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
    • Joint Luxation
    • Ligament and Tendon Tears
    • Metabolic Myopathy
    • Paw Pad Problems
    • Portal Systemic Shunts
    • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
    • Snow Nose
    • Stomach Ulcers
    • Tendonitis
    • Urinary Tract Health
    • Infectious diseases >
      • Alabama Rot
      • Cryptococcosis
      • Distemper
      • Erlichiosis
      • Hepatitis
      • Histoplasmosis
      • Parvovirus
      • Rabies
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
    • XL Bully Law 2024
  • Donation & Fundraising
    • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Alaskan Husky
      • Aalaskan Klee Kai
      • Alaskan Malamute
      • Chow Chow
      • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
      • Greenland Dogs
      • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
      • Samoyed
      • Siberian Husky
      • Tamaskan
      • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
      • Saarlooswolfhond
      • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
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    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
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  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Agility Training
    • Canicross
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    • FLYBALL TRAINING
    • Heelwork to Music Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
      • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter
    • RING CRAFT TRAINING
    • Scent Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training
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Breathing Difficulties
 
What are Breathing Difficulties?  Difficulty breathing is a sign of a laboured respiratory system.  Your dog’s health depends upon the respiratory system to take in oxygen and deliver it to the red blood cells and throughout the body’s organs.  The causes for breathing difficulties are varied, and dogs of all ages, breeds, and both sexes are susceptible; however, specific breeds and types of dogs are more susceptible to suffer particular underlying causes of breathing difficulties.  
 
Very large and giant breeds of dog are more likely to experience cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.  Small, toy breeds, such as the Chihuahua, Yorkshire terrier, and Pomeranian, are most likely to suffer from tracheal collapse.  While small breeds, such as Maltese, Italian Greyhound, and Poodle are predisposed to tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, and chronic mitral valve disease. Short-faced breeds of dog, such as bulldogs; are more likely to have congenital breathing difficulties due to narrowed nostrils and elongates soft palates, as well as tumours in the lungs and near the heart.
 
Rapid breathing or panting can also be normal reactions to exertion or heat; if you suspect this to be the case, let your dog rest and cool off to see if her breathing returns to normal.  
 
Dyspnea, or troubled breathing, and tachypnea, or rapid breathing, panting or coughing can all be signs of serious underlying problems and should be considered medical emergencies if they persist.
 
Symptoms of Breathing Difficulties in Dogs
 
Dyspnea (Troubled Breathing)
 
  • Visible movement of chest and stomach during breath Flared nostrils during breath
  • Open-mouthed breathing
  • Noisy breathing Head held low and extended; elbows bowed out
 
Tachypnea (Rapid Breathing)
 
  • Breathing more quickly than normal, with a closed mouth
 
Panting
 
  • Breathing more quickly than normal, with an open mouth Shallow breaths
  • Tongue hanging out
 
Causes of Breathing Difficulties in Dogs
 
  • Dyspnea
  • Foreign object stuck in throat
  • Elongated soft palate
  • Small nostrils Ascites, or fluid in the belly
  • Bloat, or air in the belly
  • Enlarged liver
  • Bacterial or viral infection
  • Tumors
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Injury to chest wall
  • Reaction to toxin from tick bite
  • Reaction to toxin from
  • Botulism
  • Heart failure
  • Pulmonary edema, or heart failure with fluid in the lungs
  • Blood in the chest surrounding lungs
  • Bleeding into the lungs
  • Pneumonia Infectious tracheobronchitis, or a kennel cough
  • Heartworm infection
 
Tachypnea
 
  • Anemia, or low red blood cell level Hypoxemia, or low blood oxygen level Asthma
  • Tumors
  • Pulmonary edema, or heart failure with fluid in the lungs
  • Bleeding into the lungs
 
Panting
 
  • Pain Reaction to certain medications
  • Elevated body temperature due to external temperature, fever, or exertion
 
Diagnosis of Breathing Difficulties in Dogs
Difficulty breathing should be considered an emergency, and you should take your dog in for veterinary attention as soon as you determine there to be a problem.  As there are so many possible causes for your dog’s difficulty breathing, it is important for you to give a thorough account of the symptoms and their onset, as well as any recent incidents that may be related.  
 
The veterinarian will begin by conducting a thorough physical examination that will include detailed observation of your dog’s breathing and listening to her chest and lungs.  The veterinarian will press on your dog’s windpipe to try and induce coughing, in order to observe the cough.  Depending on the severity of your dog’s difficulty breathing, oxygen may be administered at this time in order to stabilize your dog before additional tests can be conducted.
 
Your dog’s blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels will be tested in order to determine the severity of your dog’s breathing difficulty.  A urinalysis, complete blood count, and chemical blood profile will be taken in order to identify possible causes such as anemia, infection, presence of heartworm or toxin, or impaired organ functionality.
 
Further testing will depend upon the area of concern, with x-rays and ultrasounds being utilized in order to examine the condition and function of the heart, lungs, and abdomen; extraction of any fluids built up in the chest, lungs or belly for clinical evaluation; and/or an electrocardiogram to measure the heart’s electrical activity; an endoscope to visually examine your dog’s nose and airways.
 
Treatment of Breathing Difficulties in Dogs
As there are many varied causes of breathing difficulties, there are many options for treatment that will depend upon the diagnosis.  Often treatment will involve continued oxygen therapy to stabilize your dog while the primary cause of the breathing difficulty is addressed.  If any fluid has accrued in the lung(s), it will need to be drained with a needle in a process called thoracentesis.  Diuretics may be used in order to treat heart failure. It is important to seek treatment right away because the sooner your dog can receive oxygen therapy, the sooner you can prevent and reverse poor functioning and possible damage of organs from lack of oxygen.
 
Recovery of Breathing Difficulties in Dogs
Carefully following the veterinarian’s specific recovery instructions is paramount, and these will vary depending on your dog’s diagnosis.  When you are able to bring your dog home, you will need to manage his activity until the veterinarian determines he his healthy enough to return to normal activity.  This may involve cage rest, decreasing access to the outdoors and limiting stimuli.  Designing a comfortable and relaxing environment will improve your dog’s road to recovery.  With some diagnoses, this may be a temporary measure; however, with others, this new limited activity routine may be necessary throughout your dog’s life.  Continue to monitor your dog’s overall health and breathing, making sure to consult the veterinarian if breathing problems resurface.




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  • SDSW THERAPY DOGS HOME
    • NEW VOLUNTEERS >
      • NEW VOLUNTEERS PAPERWORK
    • ESTABLISHMENTS >
      • HOSPITAL REGISTRATION FORMS
      • SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORMS
      • CARE HOME REGISTRATION FORMS
      • OTHER BUSINESS REGISTRATION FORMS
    • CORPORATE PARTNERS
    • REGISTERED VOLUNTEERS >
      • VOLUNTEERS SDSWTD Merchandise
  • About
    • Club Ethos
    • Club Code of Ethics
    • Club Photos
    • Club Membership
    • Club Merchandise >
      • Pyrography
      • Car Decals
      • Clothing
      • Custom Embroidery Designs
      • Dog Accessories
      • Miscellaneous
    • Meet the Pack & Club Event Photos
    • Rainbow Bridge
  • Education & Public Speaking
  • Contact
  • Ain't Nothing But A Hound Day
    • Gleblands Park - Newport
    • Victoria Park - Cardiff
    • Romilly Park - Barry
    • Roath Recreation Ground - Cardiff
  • Club Sponsors 2024
  • Canine Care - First Aid & Health & Wellbeing
    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
    • CANINE CARE >
      • Anal Glands/Sacks
      • Burns
      • Coconut Oil
      • Dental Care
      • Dry Dog Food
      • Grooming and maintenance
      • Heat Stroke
      • How To Trim Your Dogs Claws
      • Nutrition
      • Raw Feeding
      • Spaying & Neutering
      • Toxic Food - Fruits, vegtables & Fish
      • Turmeric Powder
      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
        • HOMEOPATHIC VACCINES - NOSODES & TITRE TESTING
        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
        • Vaccinaions
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
      • Vitaimin E
      • Zinc Deficency
    • Bandaging & Wound Cleaning
    • Emergency First Aid A-Z >
      • Abscesses
      • Adder Snake Bite
      • Bee Stings & Insect Bites
      • Bleeding (external)
      • Bleeding (internal)
      • Bloat
      • Chemical Burns
      • Choking
      • CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation
      • Dehydration
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Difficult Births
      • Drowning
      • Eye Injuries
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
      • Fox Bites
      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
  • Health & Wellbeing
    • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
    • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
    • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
    • Breathing Difficulties
    • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
    • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
    • Epilepsy
    • Hip dysplasia
    • Hypoglycemia
    • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
    • Joint Luxation
    • Ligament and Tendon Tears
    • Metabolic Myopathy
    • Paw Pad Problems
    • Portal Systemic Shunts
    • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
    • Snow Nose
    • Stomach Ulcers
    • Tendonitis
    • Urinary Tract Health
    • Infectious diseases >
      • Alabama Rot
      • Cryptococcosis
      • Distemper
      • Erlichiosis
      • Hepatitis
      • Histoplasmosis
      • Parvovirus
      • Rabies
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
    • XL Bully Law 2024
  • Donation & Fundraising
    • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Alaskan Husky
      • Aalaskan Klee Kai
      • Alaskan Malamute
      • Chow Chow
      • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
      • Greenland Dogs
      • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
      • Samoyed
      • Siberian Husky
      • Tamaskan
      • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
      • Saarlooswolfhond
      • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
    • Collars
    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
    • Walking Belt
    • Dog Weather Shelter
    • Head Collar
    • Leads
    • Harnesses
    • Stake out lines
  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Agility Training
    • Canicross
    • Crate Training
    • FLYBALL TRAINING
    • Heelwork to Music Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
      • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter
    • RING CRAFT TRAINING
    • Scent Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training