Why a dog has shortness of breath. Causes and treatment of shortness of breath in dogs.
Shortness of breath can have several causes, all of which require attention and treatment. Sometimes shortness of breath is congenital, determined by the breed of the pet.
Various Causes of Dyspnea in Dogs
In veterinary medicine, the following types of reasons for dyspnea in dogs are distinguished:
- Caused by heart problems. In severe cases, the condition manifests itself at rest, there may be seizures. The animal is not active, plays little, eats poorly.
- Metabolic disorders. Appears after avitaminosis, toxoplasmosis, diabetes, and other diseases. Diagnosis requires clarification.
- Respiratory. The cause of dyspnea is respiratory organs: bronchi, lungs. Caused by infections and viruses, structural pathologies.
- Central Nervous System disorders. A problem arises with the transmission of impulses responsible for breathing. MRI is recommended. Sometimes such disorders are the cause of epilepsy in dogs. In this case, special studies are conducted, medications are prescribed. Most often it is Pexion.
- Acute conditions: anemia, anaphylactic shock, heart attack. Shortness of breath after physical exertion is considered normal. When the rhythm returns to normal, it will disappear. In hot weather, dogs need abundant water and shelter from high temperatures. Overheating or intense play is prohibited for breeds with a special structure of the nasopharynx: they cannot breathe normally.
Other Causes of Dyspnea
To relieve dyspnea in dogs, it is necessary to determine the cause. Some owners overlook the fact that they themselves provoke this condition. Dyspnea also occurs in pregnant and whelped bitches, where it can be a variant of the norm. Owners of pugs, shar-peis, and pekingese do not fight it. Due to the specific structure of the nasopharynx, they snore, breathe heavily, but this cannot be changed.
Does Excess Weight Affect the Pet?
Dogs should not be overweight. They are active animals that love to play. Excess weight is a serious burden not only on the skeleton but also on the cardiovascular system. Pets with a high percentage of fat even have difficulty walking, are prone to heart failure, diabetes, skeletal diseases, and musculoskeletal problems.
Dyspnea in Dogs After Giving Birth: Norm or Pathology?
Veterinarians say that dyspnea after whelping can last 2-4 hours. The female experiences stress, has undergone intense physical exertion. Therefore, rest is recommended. Owners need to monitor the condition of the animal, if there is fever, bleeding, fainting - a veterinarian should be called.
Fighting Low Endurance
Active walks are vital for fighting dogs, large breeds such as Labradors, German Shepherds, Malamutes. They should be walked a minimum of 2-3 times a day for at least an hour or cover about 7-10 km, preferably training and obedience. Without proper exercise, breeds are prone to obesity and heart problems.
Effective Treatment of Dyspnea in Dogs
Treatment is carried out taking into account the cause. If the problem with the respiratory organs is due to a virus, antibiotics and immunostimulants are needed. Allergic dyspnea is relieved by antihistamines. But every owner needs to know what to do if a dog has dyspnea due to a heart attack. In this case, a veterinarian with a resuscitation kit should be called immediately. During this time, open the windows to provide fresh air. Place Suprastin under the tongue. These measures slightly alleviate the attack. You can massage the ears, back, keep the pet conscious. In emergency situations, inject a potassium chloride injection from 3 to 15 ml or Gamavit. If you know that the pet suffers from heart problems, always keep a resuscitation kit nearby. The disease requires a special daily routine, diet, and support with antibiotics and medications for the proper functioning of the organ.
