Excessive Panting in Dogs

Causes of Excessive Panting in Dogs

• Acute Painful Abdomen
  When a dog has an acute pain in his stomach, he pants and drools. He will also show signs of distress and restlessness - he seems unable to find a comfortable position to lie down. He will cry out in pain if his stomach is pressed. Acute stomach pain can be caused by various problems, such as bloat, poisoning, trauma and internal injuries to the abdomen, peritonitis (inflammation of the cavity containing the abdominal organs), to name a few. All these conditions are serious and potentially life-threatening and should be treated by a vet right away.
• Heat Stroke
  Heat stroke is a common cause of excessive panting in dogs. If your dog has been out in the sun for a long time, and he starts panting and drooling, he may be suffering from heat stroke which is potentially life-threatening. Other symptoms associated with heat stroke includes thick saliva, vomiting, and a bright red tongue. The rectal temperature can go up to 104°F to 110°F. Heat stroke is an emergency and requires immediate treatment.
• Anxiety
  Some dogs may pant excessively when they have anxiety or are under stress. For example, you may notice that your dog pants more frequently and excessively the first few days after moving to a new environment, or when your new puppy first joins your family. If the panting stops after a couple of days, all is well and fine. However, if the excessive panting does not stop in a few days, get the dog to the vet for a check-up.
• Heartworm
  Heartworm is caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis transmitted by mosquitoes. The typical signs of heartworm infestation are exercise intolerance, a soft, deep cough, weight loss, and panting. Dogs should be put on a heartworm prevention program. If you suspect that your dog's excessive panting is caused by heartworm infestation, get your dog to the vet immediately for treatment.
• Severe Anemia
  Anemia is defined as a deficiency of red blood cells in the circulatory system. It can be caused by blood loss, hemolysis (an acceleration in the normal process of red blood cell breakdown), or inadequate red blood cell production. Signs of anemia include lethargy, weakness, and lack of appetite. The gums and tongue are pale pink or white. In severe cases of anemia, the dog pants, has a rapid weak pulse, and may collapse with exertion.
• Heart Disease
  Dogs with heart disease, such as dilated cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart chambers), cardiac arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure, pant and have rapid labored breathing. Other signs of heart disease include lethargy and weakness, coughing, exercise intolerance, and sometimes fainting spells. Excessive panting in older dogs, especially if the panting occurs at nighttime, may indicate congestive heart failure (CHF).
• Eclampsia
  Eclampsia (milk fever) is a condition that resembles seizure and is caused by low serum calcium. It occurs in dams two to four weeks postpartum. Usually, small toy breeds are more likely to have this condition. Besides heavy panting, other signs of eclampsia include restlessness, anxiety, uncoordinated movement, and pale mucus membranes. If your dog has recently given birth to puppies and is panting excessively, beware - eclampsia is an emergency and should be treated immediately.

Fido Says: While it is normal for us to pant when we are hot, it is not normal for us to pant when we are resting and cool. Be more observant and you will likely to notice any abnormal breathing pattern in your dog. Remember, excessive panting in dogs indicates something's wrong.