Most people are used to their dogs breathing heavily while enjoying some exercise. However, if your dog is breathing heavily even when they are not exercising, you may be concerned, and rightly so. Heavy breathing can be a sign of health issues. Here is a look at some of the signs that should alert you to take your pet to the veterinarian.
Heavy Breathing During Sleep
If your dog is breathing heavily while they are sleeping, then it could be an indicator of a severe health crisis. You may also notice that they are panting heavily with their mouth open or partially closed while they are at rest.
Once you see this, take your dog to the vet for a checkup. It is likely that your vet will do tests on your dog's lungs and heart to find out if there is a serious health issue developing.
Coughing and Heavy Breathing
Sometimes when your dog is developing respiratory issues, your pet may start to cough and breathe heavily at the same time. Dogs can get some of the same respiratory illnesses as humans. If you notice that they are coughing, it is best to take them to the vet to check if they are having a respiratory illness such as bronchitis. Bronchitis can become dangerous if it is not treated quickly.
Note too, that respiratory illnesses may often show themselves if your dog starts to cough, sneeze, or even wheeze. In severe cases, your dog may also start to vomit as well.
Changes In Behavior
Often it can be easy to spot that there's something wrong with your pet. If you notice that they are losing their appetite or behaving in strange ways while breathing heavily, then it is definitely a sign that they are not well.
If they start to wince once you try to touch them or they hide away, then it is likely that they are ill. Take your pet to the vet immediately to have their health analyzed.
As a pet owner, seeing your pet in any form of distress is not easy to deal with. If you notice any of the signs discussed here, you should take action to get your pet some medical care immediately. Try not to panic as your pet will sense that you are nervous and afraid. This will only increase their anxiety, so try to be as relaxed as possible.
Do you remember the last time you really stopped to think about how healthy your animals were? Although it might seem like a simple task, keeping your animals happy, healthy, and well-adjusted can be difficult for just about anyone. However, with the help of a trained veterinarian, things become much more straightforward. I began working hard on helping my animals a few months back, and it was neat to explore how much better they were behaving. This website centers around identifying and resolving veterinary challenges one day at a time. Check out this website for great tips that could help you every day.