My Dog Is Breathing Fast: When It's an Emergency

Dogs breathe faster than humans at baseline, typically between 15 and 30 breaths per minute at rest. Rates above 40 breaths per minute at rest, or any laboured, noisy, or effortful breathing, are abnormal and should be assessed. Some causes are benign; others are life-threatening.

Is This an Emergency?

Go to a vet or emergency clinic immediately if your dog:

• Is breathing with an open mouth at rest (other than when panting after exercise)
• Has blue, grey, or white gums
• Is struggling visibly to breathe, with nostrils flaring or the chest heaving
• Is breathing with the elbows wide and the neck extended (classic respiratory distress posture)
• Has collapsed or is unable to stand alongside rapid breathing
• May have inhaled a foreign object

Call your vet the same day if:

• Your dog is breathing faster than normal at rest and has been for several hours
• Your dog is panting persistently without obvious cause such as heat or exercise
• You notice a change in your dog's breathing pattern over several days, particularly at night

Wait and monitor for a short period if:

• Your dog was just startled, anxious, or has been active and is breathing fast as a result
• You are in a very hot environment and your dog is panting normally to cool down

What Causes Fast Breathing in Dogs?

Pain or anxiety

Pain and fear both increase respiratory rate. A dog breathing quickly at rest, particularly in a new or stressful situation or after injury, may be in pain.

Heart disease

Heart disease, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or mitral valve disease, can cause fluid to accumulate in or around the lungs, making breathing difficult and fast. This is common in older dogs and certain breeds.

Respiratory infection

Kennel cough, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections can cause rapid, laboured breathing alongside coughing and lethargy.

Pleural effusion

Fluid accumulating in the chest cavity compresses the lungs and causes rapid, shallow breathing. The underlying cause may be heart disease, cancer, or infection.

Anaemia

Low red blood cell count reduces oxygen-carrying capacity, causing the body to compensate with faster breathing. Dogs with anaemia are often lethargic and have pale gums.

Heat stroke

Rapid, noisy panting in hot weather or after being left in a car is a medical emergency. Heat stroke in dogs can be fatal without prompt cooling and veterinary treatment.

Which Breeds Are More Prone to Breathing Problems?

• French Bulldog, Pug, Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Brachycephalic breeds frequently experience breathing difficulty due to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which can cause chronically elevated respiratory rate
• Dobermann, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound: High incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), leading to heart-related breathing problems
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Very high incidence of mitral valve disease, especially in later life

What Will the Vet Do?

Your vet will observe breathing pattern, examine the chest, and assess gum colour and heart sounds. Depending on findings, they may recommend:

• Chest X-rays to assess the heart and lungs
• An echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
• Blood tests including a red blood cell count
• Emergency oxygen therapy if your dog is in respiratory distress

Do not delay seeking help if your dog appears to be struggling to breathe.

How to Help Your Dog at Home

• Keep your dog calm and cool, and minimise exertion
• If you suspect heat stroke: move your dog to a cool, shaded area, apply cool (not cold) water to the body, and go to a vet immediately
• Do not muzzle a dog that is struggling to breathe
• Do not give any medications without veterinary guidance
• Count breaths per minute when your dog is relaxed: more than 40 at rest is a reason to call your vet