[Lucy Lu]

Huck seems to be having trouble breathing at times. He is not gasping for air but seems to pant and breathe heavy/quickly. I understand the panting after playing or being outside in the heat. But sometimes he just lies there breathing fast and not getting any better. Can dogs have asthma? What are the symptoms? What can you do about it?
Thanks.

 

[Betsy Iole]

While cats can develop asthma, there's not much discussion of asthma in dogs, which suggests that it's not a common condition. From Pets with allergies and asthma

Dogs also suffer from inhalant allergies triggered by pollens, dust mites, danders, and molds. These are common Asthma triggers in human, but dogs react differently. Instead of respiratory problems, dogs often react with skin problems. Symptom for dogs include scratching, biting, chewing and constant licking of the feet. Treatment includes eliminating triggers, antihistamines, corticosteroids, and immunotherapy.

Sled dogs develop a condition similar to an asthma-like condition experienced by some human cold-weather athletes. See Sled dogs may shed clues on 'ski asthma' (Reuters Health) and Racing Alaskan Sled dogs as a model of "ski asthma" (Medline abstract).

[ August 15, 2003, 12:15 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]

 

[Mikey T]

Is sounds like what you are describing is known as hyperventilation"Rapid or deep breathing in excess of that needed to supply oxygen to the body."


For many dogs Hyperventilation
is one of the signs of stress/anxiety but it can also be a symptom of a whole host of diseases, like Hypothyroidism,and heatstroke

Panting is not as efficient a mechanism for cooling as sweating. It takes a dog longer than a human to cool down after exposure to heat or when they exercise.

It would be a good idea to consult with your vet, and if you keep a diary of when the events occured and what the dog was doing during and prior to the breathing episode it will help in making a proper diagnoses.

[ August 15, 2003, 07:59 PM: Message edited by: Toughynutter ]