The dog breathes heavily through its mouth. Frequent breathing in a dog

The heart is the pump that pumps blood throughout the body. Blood contains vital nutrients, including oxygen and hormones that regulate body functions. Proper blood circulation is also necessary to remove waste products, including carbon dioxide. Bad job the heart compromises the function of all other organs.

The following signs may indicate heart disease:

- cough and shortness of breath;

- drowsiness and weakness;

- fainting;

- weight loss;

- growth retardation;

- bluish gums;

- distended abdomen and swollen joints;

- irregular and/or constantly rapid pulse;

- palpable vibrations of the heart.

Congestive heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to transport oxygenated blood in sufficient quantities to meet the body's needs. The term "congestive" is used when fluid, arising from the normal compensatory mechanisms that support the cardiovascular system, collects outside the vessels. If it collects in the lungs, then coughing and shortness of breath occur. Dogs with congestive heart failure are less able to tolerate exercise. and in some cases their abdomen may be distended with fluid. Sometimes the limbs swell. The veterinarian may listen to the heart and may detect abnormal sounds and fluid in the lungs. X-ray analysis and an electrocardiogram may be required for a complete diagnosis. Medicines can make the heart contract harder and help the body release accumulated fluids. A salt-free diet also helps reduce fluid accumulation, and limiting physical activity reduces stress on the heart.

Acquired heart diseases

Cardiomyopathy. Dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy is a disease that especially affects large and very large breeds and usually develops between the first and sixth years. The heart muscle weakens and atrophies, causing blood to flow slowly, resulting in overall congestive heart failure. The heart itself becomes greatly enlarged and becomes prone to arrhythmias. In such cases, some heartbeats may not eject blood and create a pulsation. TO signs of cardiomyopathy include fatigue, cough, distended abdomen, weight loss, sometimes swollen limbs and fainting. Medicines can help prolong a dog's life, but not for long because they cannot reverse the changes in the heart itself.

Chronic valve disease is one of the most common forms of heart disease in dogs. By unknown reason the valves between the blood-pumping chambers thicken and cannot fit tightly. allowing the blood to seep back out. Little by little, the heart loses its ability to properly pump blood throughout the body, and heart failure gradually develops. Signs of this are. cough, difficulty or noisy breathing, restlessness at night. A heart murmur can usually be detected. dog with chronic disease valves, which exhibit Clinical signs, you need to show it to the vet immediately.

Congenital heart diseases

Defect interventricular septum - this is a hole in muscle wall, separating the two main cavities of the heart that pump blood. This hole is usually small and does not have much effect on overall circulation, but it can extend almost the entire length of the interventricular septum and cause signs of heart failure. The abnormal blood flow caused by this defect creates a heart murmur. Some institutes are trying to eliminate this defect surgically.

Uninfected ductus arteriosus. The fruit is short and wide arterial vessel, which connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta and carries the main flow of blood from the right ventricle directly to the aorta, bypassing the lungs. Soon after birth this vessel closes naturally. If this does not happen, then they say that there is an uninfected ductus arteriosus. This is one of the most common birth defects hearts in dogs. This anomaly is indicated by characteristic heart murmurs. The only one effective treatment is surgical closure of this duct.

Stenosis (narrowing) of the pulmonary artery. This defect occurs when the blood flow between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery is disrupted, which leads to an increase in the load on the heart and can lead to heart failure. Heart murmurs are heard in dogs with stenosis. Some types of stenosis can be partially eliminated surgically.

Cardiac cough in dogs: what is it?

A dog's cough is not a disease, but a symptom indicating that it is time to pay attention to the pet's health. It is especially important to respond in a timely manner if your dog develops a heart cough. Read our article about how to recognize this type of cough in a dog and alleviate its manifestations.

Cough, regardless of its etiology, is protective reflex . occurring in the body as a reaction to irritation of specific cough zones of the trachea and bronchi.

Not in all cases, cough is a symptom of a respiratory disease. Its appearance may be caused internal cause- that is, diseases of organs bordering the respiratory system. So, characteristic symptom cardiac diseases is a characteristic cardiac cough in dogs.

Causes of cardiac cough

A cardiac cough in a dog is a symptom of heart pathology, most often heart failure. With this and some other diseases, the heart increases in size and compresses the trachea. Cough receptors located on the trachea send a signal to the dog’s brain, and the animal coughs, despite the fact that there is a real need to clear the respiratory system of mucus and foreign bodies he doesn't have.

The most common warning sign of a heart cough in a dog is shortness of breath, occurring during physical activity. Animals over six years of age and large dogs are most susceptible to pathological changes in the heart and the resulting cough. fighting breeds. Treatment of cardiac cough in dogs is aimed at stopping or alleviating the manifestation of this symptom and, as a rule, is difficult due to its chronic nature.

How to recognize a heart cough in a dog

Any kind of cough is an alarming symptom and requires consultation with a specialist. However, even before contacting veterinary clinic Certain assumptions can be made regarding the etiology of cough. A cardiac cough in a dog is characterized by:

dull, “uterine” sound;

a gradual increase in intensity as the heart disease progresses;

absence of discharge (sputum) or bloody discharge(V advanced cases);

attacks that are painful for the animal, in which it seems as if the dog is choking and cannot clear its throat.

Diagnostics

By external manifestations we can only make a preliminary conclusion about the real reason dog cough. If a dog is suspected of having a cardiac cough, an ultrasound scan is prescribed. Provides the most accurate data ultrasonography hearts on a device with the Doppler effect. Dopleography will allow you to evaluate the nature of blood movement by blood vessels and identify pathology.

Treatment of cardiac cough in dogs

It is important to begin treatment of cardiac cough on time, since this symptom only aggravates the course of the underlying disease and provokes further development of the pathology. This type of cough is treated with specific therapy aimed at relieving the symptom or reducing the intensity of its manifestation.

Complex treatment of heart failure and accompanying cough is carried out with the help of drugs (riboxin, corvaldin, kratal, antitussive children's mixtures), vitamin therapy, diet and dosing of physical activity. A qualified specialist must select treatment for your dog.

Heart failure in older dogs. Worried about your heart?

Worried about your heart?

VETERINARY CLINIC “BEST FRIEND”

Heart failure in dogs.

Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome, arising as a result of any structural or functional disorders, which impair the ability of the heart's ventricles to fill or eject blood.

Heart failure most often develops under the influence of adverse effects environment, serious illnesses various systems organs, stress, and congenital heart defects or as a result of heartworm infection.

Heart failure is divided into three categories:

1. Acute heart failure

2. Age-related heart failure

3. Chronic heart failure.

Acute heart failure (collapse).

Occurs and develops in dogs:

- after large blood loss,

- in case of poisoning and infectious diseases,

- in elderly and elderly dogs suffering from heart disease.

Signs:

— the dog is lethargic,

- lies down, making no attempt to get up,

- breathing is shallow and frequent,

- mucous membranes of the lips and eyelids are very pale,

- pulse cannot be felt.

Do not forget that if the first signs of the disease appear, there is no need to postpone your visit to veterinary clinic .

First veterinary care for a pet assistance that a dog owner can provide:

Immediately apply heating pads or bottles of warm water to the dog’s limbs, -cover the dog, -inject cordiamine intramuscularly, every 4-6 hours,

- if the animal is old, then it is necessary to additionally introduce cocarboxylase,

- Contact your veterinarian immediately for further treatment.

Age-related heart failure (senile heart).

Age-related changes in dogs occur gradually and do not make themselves felt until the first serious attack or breakdown; this fully applies to the development of age-related heart failure - senile heart. Therefore, such a diagnosis can be quite unexpected for the dog owner and is often made in cases where he goes to the veterinary clinic for a completely different reason.

And although senile heart is translated as senile heart, the first signs of the disease in a dog can appear as early as 5-6 years old and, conversely, be absent at an older age.

The first signs of heart weakness are not always pronounced and specific, so it is important for the dog owner to pay attention to the symptoms of this disease, especially its earliest manifestations.

It starts with a decrease in stamina. those. rapid breathing appears with less than usual load, it takes more time to recover from the usual exercise. Such changes in condition usually occur episodically. and are written off by the owner due to the heat. change in pressure or any other external reason.

At this stage of the disease, veterinarian and the dog owner has a good opportunity to maintain the functioning of the heart for a long time and effectively, preventing the disease from developing. This requires a diet, regulation of physical activity and the appointment of gentle biotherapy. As a rule, this is a combination of one or two complex homeopathic medicines and one isopathic agent. which are prescribed in a monthly course, which is repeated 2 - 3 times a year.

Shortness of breath after a normal walk becomes too long, and after eating or drinking, coughing is sometimes noted. These symptoms may spontaneously and unpredictably disappear and reappear because at this stage of the disease the dog’s body is still able to compensate (albeit temporarily) for the developing heart weakness.

Treatment of the second stage of heart failure has the same basis. as in the first stage. but the duration of each course increases to 1.5 - 2 months. In addition to this course, one or more fetal cardiac medications are included in the form of injections or tablets (this depends on the individual sensitivity of the dog).

After regular exercise and even after short walks, the dog’s shortness of breath does not go away for a long time, and in dogs dwarf breeds- any emotion causes coughing attacks. This stage indicates advanced disease heart and in this case there is no longer any hope for spontaneous compensation. At this stage, heart failure first of all seriously affects those organs that need a stable and complete blood supply - the brain, kidneys and lungs. And as a result, with severe cardiac weakness, brain, kidney or pulmonary failure often develops.

This stage of the disease requires careful and comprehensive survey dogs, identifying all pathological changes caused by chronic heart failure and the appointment of active therapy. The duration of treatment is most often not limited in time, but is carried out as long as it is possible to maintain relatively normal work hearts. The course of treatment includes fetal polyvalent drugs, cardiac and complex homeopathic remedies With wide range actions carried out full course symbiotic therapy. This complex treatment gives a pronounced synergistic (total) effect and allows the dog to feel comfortable for a long time.

The pet has difficulty moving, shortness of breath does not go away even at rest, and visible mucous membranes acquire a persistent pale or bluish tint. These symptoms are extremely serious condition pet. in which even the most modern and carefully selected treatment can lead to only minor and temporary relief.

The course and principle of treatment is similar to the 3rd stage of heart failure. however, it is quite rare to achieve a noticeable improvement; a pet may feel better, but these changes are short-term and unstable, because in such advanced cases conservative treatment no longer gives the desired effect and is not able to influence the process, which is considered irreversible.

Chronic heart failure in domestic animals.

Chronic heart failure is not usually considered separate disease, but is diagnosed as a syndrome that develops as a result various diseases of cardio-vascular system(manifested by shortness of breath, cough, palpitations, limitation physical activity and retention of sodium and water in the body), as a complication of any heart disease (myocardial ischemia, arterial hypertension, heart defects, etc.), as well as lungs, liver, kidneys, a number of endocrine diseases: diabetes, diseases thyroid gland, obesity, etc.

Chronic heart failure develops long before manifestation clinical symptoms. This process is irreversible in most cases, and it is very important to know about this when predicting the course of the disease.

Therefore, information about chronic heart failure in domestic animals will be presented in more detail in a separate topic.

Victoria Kozlova.

The placement of the material is approved by the specialists of the Best Friend veterinary clinic

Quiet breathing through the nose is normal for any dog. However, when running or during a hot period of time, animals tend to increase their breathing, which should not cause any suspicion. It's another matter if the dog breathes deeply and convulsively. This indicates some kind of health problem.

Causes of heavy breathing in dogs

healthy adult dog breathes 10-30 times per minute. The norm for puppies is 15-35 sighs. It is also considered normal for a dog to start breathing quickly and heavily before giving birth. There may be several reasons why your dog is breathing heavily:

A healthy adult dog breathes 10-30 times per minute. The norm for puppies is 15-35 sighs. It is also considered normal for a dog to start breathing quickly and heavily before giving birth.

Why is my dog ​​breathing heavily and shaking?

There may be several reasons for trembling, which is accompanied by heavy breathing, and in some cases this phenomenon is considered absolutely normal.

Cases when heavy breathing and trembling in a dog should not cause concern:

  1. The dog is decorative breed: in such cases, shaking in a dog is considered to be some kind of physiological feature breeds
  2. The dog decided to show emotions: anger, aggression, fear, which provoked trembling and rapid breathing.
  3. The pet has entered the period of estrus or mating. Male dogs become aggressive during the heat period, and aggression, as already mentioned, causes trembling.
  4. The dog was simply frozen.
  5. The pet ended up in another city or country, with different air humidity and temperature. Often the period of acclimatization and getting used to new conditions is accompanied by such physiological manifestations like trembling and heavy breathing.
  6. The dog was afraid of something or someone.
  7. During the trip, the pet became very seasick. Often in such cases, trembling and rapid breathing are accompanied by vomiting and an unsteady gait.
  8. Increased excitability of the central nervous system at the dog.
  9. Magnesium deficiency.

Cases when trembling and heavy breathing in a dog should be taken more seriously:

  1. The pet's skin begins to peel, and the coat becomes dull and dry.
  2. The dog's temperature is too high or, conversely, too low.
  3. The pet refuses water and food.
  4. The dog's condition is extremely unstable; Lethargic and apathetic, she sometimes whines and does not respond to commands.
  5. The pet has diarrhea and vomiting.
  6. The pulse either quickens or slows down.
  7. The dog becomes aggressive for no apparent reason.

In addition to all of the above, trembling and heavy breathing in a dog causes labor, diabetes and even allergic reactions.

Why is my dog ​​breathing heavily and frequently?

First, you need to establish the reason why your pet is having heavy breathing. To do this, you need to urgently call a veterinarian to your home. Only he can identify the problem. If heavy breathing occurs as a result of a difficult birth, you will need surgery. If the dog has problems with the respiratory system, then it will be necessary to prescribe a course of treatment for the identified disease. If there are no accompanying symptoms, and the pet is absolutely healthy, then a series of studies must be done to determine the cause of heavy breathing: ECG or ECHO of the heart, x-ray examination.

If heavy breathing occurs as a result of a difficult birth, then surgery will be required. If the dog has problems with the respiratory system, then it will be necessary to prescribe a course of treatment for the identified disease.

Why does a dog breathe heavily with his tongue hanging out?

A dog's tongue sticking out while breathing is normal, even if the breathing may be considered heavy. The point is this. To provide thermoregulation for its body, the dog is forced to cool its body temperature. Her tongue helps her in this, which, by evaporating moisture from its surface, that is, saliva, lowers body temperature. Dogs do not tolerate heat well, so nature has given them the ability to arbitrarily lower their body temperature.

Why is my dog ​​breathing heavily and wheezing?

The condition in which dogs begin to breathe heavily and wheeze is not dangerous. Most often, this is the so-called “reverse sneeze” - a situation in which the dog sharply sucks in air through the nose. For a moment, it may seem as if the dog is choking, but he just wants to clear his nose and nasopharynx in this way.

It’s another matter when a dog’s tongue turns blue due to rapid breathing and wheezing. This indicates that it has begun heart attack. Heartworms can also cause similar abnormalities.

Why is my dog ​​breathing heavily and drinking a lot of water?

The situation in which a dog breathes heavily and drinks a lot on a hot summer day is extremely clear and does not require close attention - this is natural. But there may be other, sad reasons. These include:

  • diabetes;
  • oncological diseases;
  • hypercalcemia;
  • infectious diseases;
  • pathologies of the kidneys and bladder;
  • poisoning;
  • polydipsia.

In all of the above cases, you need to look at associated symptoms and, of course, seek help from a specialist.

How to help a dog who is breathing heavily

By calling a doctor to your home, you take the measures prescribed by him. If it was heatstroke, then moistened cold water towel and plenty of fluids.

If the cause of heavy breathing is any heart disease like, say, a heart attack, then you need to apply heating pads or bottles with warm water. You also need to cover the animal with a warm blanket or towel. Of course, these measures should complement basic drug treatment.

First of all, let's understand what the respiratory system is and how it functions.

The respiratory system is a set of organs that ensures the movement of air from the atmosphere into the lungs and back (inhalation-exhalation breathing cycles), as well as gas exchange between the air entering the lungs and the blood.

The airways and lungs are the respiratory organs. They include the nasal and oral cavity, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar sacs, as well as arteries, capillaries and veins of the pulmonary circulation.

The main function of the respiratory organs is to ensure gas exchange between air and blood, i.e. saturation of the blood and the organs it supplies with oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide from the body.

Typically, at rest, a dog makes from 10 to 30 respiratory movements per minute (one breathing movement- this is an exhalation-inhalation). However, certain body conditions may cause dogs to experience increased breathing. The animal begins to breathe with open mouth and sticking out his tongue. Such conditions can be divided into physiological (normal, not associated with disease) and pathological.

Conditions associated with increased metabolism, and therefore an increase in the amount of oxygen consumed, can lead to physiological increased breathing:

Psycho-emotional arousal - fear, aggression or joy;

Physical activity, such as long running;

Other physiological conditions (estrus, pregnancy, childbirth);

Increase in air temperature.

Rapid breathing in a dog, not provoked by the above factors, can be explained by pathologies in respiratory system and/or be associated with others systemic diseases in which tachypnea is a concomitant symptom.

Such diseases and pathological conditions can be attributed:

Impaired air flow through the airways, for example, neoplasms in the lumen respiratory tract, collapse of the trachea, blockage of the larynx or trachea by foreign masses;

Inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, both infectious and non-infectious origin;

Respiratory injuries;

Disturbance of the normal innervation of the respiratory organs;

Pathologies of the cardiovascular system;

Pathologies of the urinary system;

Difficulty in normal chest movement;

Increased body temperature;

Disturbances of the endocrine system;

Allergic reactions.

Pathological reasons that can provoke frequent hard breath your dog, a great many. Very often the answer does not lie on the surface and is difficult to find even for highly qualified veterinarians. Don't try to find the reason yourself! In the event that increased breathing is not caused by the above physiological reasons, contact your veterinarian for help. Timely appeal to the veterinary clinic will allow you to go through all the necessary diagnostic procedures, make a diagnosis and receive quality treatment.

What to do if trouble takes you by surprise and there is no veterinarian nearby? First aid in in this case will consist of providing the animal with a sufficient amount of oxygen and reducing the body’s need for it. To begin, remove your dog's leash and collar and open the windows. Next, you need to reduce the impact of any factors that stress the animal: calm down yourself, try to calm the animal, isolate the dog from external noise. After taking all initial measures to improve the dog’s condition, consult a doctor.

When an owner sees that his dog is breathing heavily and frequently with his mouth open, he should be wary. This may not just be rapid breathing after a walk, but an alarming symptom. Below we will look at what are the reasons for what happens to the dog.

Excess body weight and heart problems

This happens more often with breeds large dogs who have overweight bodies, move little and rarely leave the house. 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, while 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 save you from 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.

Incorrect transportation in hot weather

In hot weather, when transporting a dog, owners may also notice that the animal begins to breathe heavily. Breathe in a way that is not typical for him - often, with effort, with his mouth open and his tongue hanging out, 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 truly 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.

Lack of physical activity

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. People only walk with them 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-time walk 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.

Stress factor

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 The best way accustom the animal to loud sounds, this is to start her training and socialization as early as possible. How bigger dog will find out the world, hear the sounds of the street, meet other people and animals, the more stress-resistant she will be in adulthood.

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Tachypnea (polypnea) is abnormally rapid breathing. Tachypnea, unlike shortness of breath, may not be a sign of a serious illness.

Causes

There are many reasons rapid breathing in dogs. They may be as follows:

Problems associated with top respiratory tract

  • Damage to the nostrils and sinuses (infections, narrowing, inflammation, tumors)
  • Damage to the soft palate
  • Diseases of the larynx (tumor, collapse, paralysis, spasm)
  • Tracheal diseases (tumors, collapse, foreign bodies)
  • Damage (compression) of the upper respiratory tract (tumors, lymph nodes)

Problems associated with lower respiratory tract

Lower respiratory tract disorders include obstructive diseases and restrictive diseases:

In most cases, tachypnea is not dangerous, but it can also cause serious illnesses which can even be life threatening. Therefore, tachypnea should not be ignored and should be contacted by a veterinarian.

When your dog has breathing problems and you, not knowing what to do, are looking for advice on this topic on the Internet on forums, we recommend not to self-medicate or experiment on your beloved pet. The fact is that there are many reasons for tachypnea in an animal, and the consequences of your experiment may disappoint you and your family.

Symptoms

  • Cough
  • Labored breathing
  • Blue gums
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Poor appetite
  • Excessive thirst or frequent urination
  • Vomit
  • Diarrhea

Diagnostics

Before testing begins, factors that may cause tachypnea (overheating, stress, excessive physical exercise). If tachypnea continues or progresses despite removal possible reasons, then it is necessary not to ignore this problem and contact your veterinarian immediately. Your doctor may order the following tests:

Treatment

  • If possible, the underlying causes (heat, stress, strain) should be identified and eliminated.
  • Symptomatic therapy
  • Oxygen therapy if the pet is in serious condition
  • Antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications for infectious or inflammatory diseases
  • Fluid therapy is indicated for dehydration or systemic diseases(eg uremia)

Care and maintenance

Follow all directions from your veterinarian. Place your pet in a well-ventilated place and protect your pet from stress.

How to call a veterinarian at home?

What questions will need to be answered?
In order to call a veterinarian, you need to:

  1. Call the operator at the numbers specified in the section;
  2. Tell what happened to the animal;
  3. Provide the address (street, house, front door, floor) where the veterinarian will arrive;
  4. Specify the date and time of the doctor’s arrival

Call a veterinarian at home and he will definitely help you.
At home, as they say, even the walls heal.