Why Is My Dog Breathing So Fast While Sleeping?
If your puppy seems to be breathing rapidly while sleeping, you may be a little concerned, but puppies can breathe very rapidly while sleeping for a variety of reasons. As long as breathing is regular and you don’t notice any other unusual symptoms, there’s probably nothing to worry about.
Below we discuss ten explanations for your puppy’s rapid breathing, including possible health issues. We will also explain how to tell the difference between wheezing and rapid breathing and why it is important.
10 Reasons Why Puppies May Breathe Fast While Sleeping
As the puppies get older and grow, so do their lungs. This will help them take in more oxygen with each breath, and their breathing rate will eventually slow down. For example, their breathing will be slower at 16 weeks of age than when they were only 8 weeks old!
In general, underlying health conditions rarely cause breathing problems during sleep, says Dr. Jennifer Sperry, DVM, veterinary consultant at Pets Plus Us. However, some dog breeds may be at higher risk of health problems that lead to abnormal breathing.
If your puppy has any bizarre indications that go past fast breathing while resting, it’s continuously best to contact your vet. They can help you find the cause and fix it.
1. They dream in REM sleep
Dogs experience REM sleep, just like humans—and during REM sleep, your pup may dream about several exciting, scary, or stressful situations, says Dr. Barry.
Your dog’s sympathetic nervous system reacts as if the situation were real and releases adrenaline and norepinephrine into the bloodstream.
Dr. Simon adds that puppies use a lot of energy during REM sleep, which means they breathe faster to get more oxygen. She says that both puppies and adult dogs often breathe rapidly as they move in and out of the dream phase of sleep. This happens several times during sleep, each for a few minutes.
You may too take note of a few of these developments in a resting puppy:
• Yelling or barking
• Leg kicks or “wrong gait”
• Tense muscles
• Flickering eyelids
2. They simply practiced a lot
If you’ve been exercising right before nap time or bedtime, you’re probably breathing a little faster than normal in bed, and so is your pup.
If your puppy passes out in bed after an intense play session, you may notice rapid breathing for a few minutes. However, this rapid breathing should not last throughout your sleep, says Dr. Barry. She adds that wheezing or rapid breathing during sleep is generally unrelated to exercise earlier in the day.
If a puppy maintains a high breathing rate while sleeping and also snores, snorts, chokes, or appears to have difficulty breathing, says Dr. Sperry should contact a veterinarian.
Tip: Take a few short videos of your puppy’s breathing with your phone to illustrate the problem.
3. They’re too hot
Because dogs can’t cool themselves by sweating alone, they rely on evaporation from their tongues, mouths, and respiratory tracts to cool themselves, explains Dr. Sperry.
Puppies aren’t very good at regulating their temperature, adds Dr. Sperry, so it’s important to limit their time in hot (or cold) environments. In warm weather, it is best to take them for walks during the coolest part of the day, such as early morning or evening.
If you notice your pup panting or breathing rapidly at night, says Dr. Sperry recommends the following:
• Remove blankets
• Lower the heat
• Use a fan to keep them cool
Keep her crate or bed out of direct sunlight and keep the room at a moderate temperature. Place bedding and blankets on one side of the crate so your puppy has the opportunity to move to a cooler area.
Puppies that are too warm can become overheated. Signs of overheating include:
• Dehydration
• Excessive drooling
• High body temperature
• To puke
• Red gums
If you notice any of these symptoms along with rapid breathing, contact your veterinarian immediately.
4. They are worried
Puppies involvement a tremendous modern world for the to begin with time. As they go through the puppy stage, they experience many changes in their environment, health, emotional development, and lifestyle, says Dr. Barry.
Therefore, it is normal for them to go through phases where they feel more insecure and anxious about these new experiences. Dr. Sperry offers a few ways to help your pup deal with fears and anxiety:
• Let them explore new people and situations at their own pace.
• Provide adequate reassurance and positive reinforcement.
• Establish a reliable routine and stick to it.
• Provide a safe space, e.g. B. a bed or a box so they can retreat when overwhelmed.
Remember that rapid breathing and other anxiety-related symptoms should not continue into the sleep phase, says Dr. Barry.
5. They are dehydrated
Puppies need a lot of water, at least 40-60 ml per kilogram of body weight per day. If they are dried out, you may encounter the following after-symptoms:
• Excessive panting
• Dry nose, eyes and gums
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Dry mucous membranes
• Deep-set eyes
Give plenty of water or ice cubes to facilitate rehydration. If your puppy shows various signs of dehydration and does not want to drink, contact your vet immediately.
6. They are injured or in pain
Puppies have a more noteworthy chance of damage as they mature.
If your puppy has harm, you may take note of a few of these signs of pain:
• Postural changes and stiff movements
• Behavioral changes, such as unusual lethargy, hiding, or whining
• Shaking or vibrating
• Skit
• Dilated pupils
If your puppy shows signs of pain for more than a day or two, it’s always a good idea to contact your vet so they can determine the cause of the pain and treat it.
7. They have a respiratory infection
Puppies are at a higher risk of developing lung and respiratory diseases because their systems are not yet fully developed. Respiratory infections such as kennel cough or pneumonia can be serious for young puppies.
In addition to rapid breathing (whether your puppy is awake or asleep), you may notice the following:
• Nasal discharge (eg mucus, pus, blood)
• Cough (dry or wet)
• Easy breathing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
Make sure you give your puppy enough water to keep him hydrated. You can also add moisture to the air to make it easier to breathe. Your veterinarian can help you diagnose and treat respiratory diseases.
8. They have a heart problem
Experts believe that heart problems, such as congenital heart defects, are passed from mother to puppy. However, these problems are very rare in puppies.
Signs of heart problems in dogs may include:
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Lethargy
• Fainting
•Accumulation of liquid in the lungs or abdomen
A veterinarian can recommend appropriate medical or surgical treatments to improve your dog’s quality of life.
9. They have a low number of red blood cells (anemia)
There are several causes of anemia in dogs, including toxins, trauma, infection, and disease. These diverse causes can play a part in how long the iron deficiency endures and how serious it is
In addition to rapid breathing, signs of anemia in puppies can include:
• Blood loss
• Low blood pressure
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Pale, pink gums
If you notice any of these symptoms in your puppy, your vet can give you further advice on diagnosing and treating anemia or other health problems. For example, they may recommend a complete blood count, blood and urine tests, and X-rays before recommending treatment.
10. They have a diaphragmatic hernia
The diaphragm is a muscle that helps draw air into the puppy’s lungs. Trauma or hereditary qualities can cause a diaphragmatic hernia to create, and the hernia can influence your puppy’s breathing.
Symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia may include:
• Cough
• Loss of appetite
• Decreased activity
• Breathing problems
• Fever
• Collapse
A veterinarian can diagnose a hernia through a physical exam and X-rays. From there, they may recommend surgery or other treatment based on your puppy’s symptoms and condition.
Is my puppy breathing fast or panting?
You can tell the difference between rapid breathing and panting by looking at your puppy’s mouth. When it’s open, they pant. When it is closed, they breathe quickly.
According to Dr. Simon, it’s not common for puppies to pant in their sleep, even if they’re overheated or anxious.
You can help by making sure your child sleeps in a cool, well-ventilated room and paying attention to sources of stress in his or her environment, such as new people or frightening noises.
If you notice that your puppy is panting in its sleep, you may not need to take immediate action. But if the panting seems excessive, lasts a long time, or is accompanied by other signs of discomfort, you can contact your veterinarian for further advice, says Dr. Michael Thompson, DVM, Founder and Chief Veterinarian of Pets Food Safety.
While observing a panting puppy, Dr. Thompson recommends paying attention to the pattern and duration of panting, as well as any accompanying behaviors or signs of discomfort.
You can at that point share this data with your vet to deliver them more context.
Check how fast your puppy breathes while sleeping
To determine your puppy’s baseline breathing rate, you can measure it while he is sleeping comfortably and deeply.
How to measure your puppy’s breathing rate:
1. Notice how the ribcage moves in and out as they breathe. Breathing in and out counts as one full breath.
2. Set a timer for a full minute.
3. Count how many breaths you take this minute. A puppy’s normal breathing rate can vary from 15 to 40 breaths per minute.
4. Repeat this process while your puppy sleeps to get a better idea of his baseline breathing rate.
If your puppy is breathing unusually fast, you can check his breathing by counting his breaths
breathe again to check exactly how fast they are breathing.
When is a puppy’s rapid breathing an emergency?
In some cases, a puppy’s rapid breathing can indicate a serious health problem.
Dr. Thompson shares some acute symptoms to look out for, including:
• Hard to breathe
• Excessive drooling
• Pale gums
• Signs of extreme stress
If you take note of any of these side effects, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Your vet will examine your puppy to check his general health and may run tests to identify any underlying health problems, says Dr. Thompson. From there, they can prescribe the right treatment for your puppy.Click for more
