Have you noticed your old dog panting a lot lately? While panting is a natural behavior for dogs, it can be concerning when it happens more frequently in older dogs. In this article, we will discuss the possible reasons behind increased panting in senior dogs and what you can do about it.
Understanding Why Dogs Pant
Before diving into the causes of excessive panting in older dogs, let's first understand why dogs pant in general. Unlike humans who primarily pant after physical exertion, dogs tend to pant more frequently as a means of cooling themselves down.
Panting allows dogs to release excess heat from their bodies and regulate their body temperature. On warm summer days or during vigorous exercise, you may observe your dog pant to help dissipate heat. Even when resting after exercise, older dogs may continue to pant as they recover.
It's crucial for us as dog owners to control our pets' exposure to heat and manage their level of physical activity. Dogs are prone to overheating and can suffer from heatstroke more easily than we might think. Unlike humans, who can cool down by sweating, dogs rely on panting as their primary cooling mechanism.
While normal panting serves an important purpose for dogs, changes in their pattern of panting can indicate underlying medical conditions or age-related changes.
Abnormal Causes of Panting
Anxiety
An increase in anxiety or excitement can lead any dog to start excessively panting. As our furry friends age, they may experience heightened anxiety due to sensory loss or cognitive dysfunction. Minor changes in your senior dog's pattern of breathing may be considered “normal,” but it is crucial to rule out any underlying causes by consulting with your veterinarian. Pay attention to any behavioral changes or disruptions in your dog's nighttime sleeping habits, as these could be signs of cognitive decline. Supplements that promote relaxation and cognition, such as Composure or Golden Years Calm and Confident, might help ease mild anxiety in older dogs.
Pain and Discomfort
Unlike humans, dogs cannot verbally communicate their pain to us. Therefore, they may resort to panting excessively when experiencing discomfort or pain. Dogs in pain may use panting as a coping mechanism or an attempt to distract themselves from the source of their pain. While some signs of pain can be more evident, such as yelping or crying out, it is crucial to remember that not all signs are obvious. If you suspect your dog is in pain based on increased panting and changes in behavior, consult with your veterinarian for further evaluation.
Disease and Metabolic Changes
Certain diseases like Cushing's disease can cause excessive panting in dogs. Metabolic changes can also play a role; diseases that alter the metabolic state may lead to metabolic acidosis and subsequent excessive panting. Conditions such as hyperthyroidism, cancer, hypertension, and anemia (low red blood cell levels) can contribute to panting as well. Increased respiratory effort might be your dog's way of signaling discomfort or distress due to underlying medical issues.
Medications
Some medications can have side effects that result in increased panting in dogs. Steroids like prednisone are known culprits for causing excessive panting. Always consult with your vet about potential side effects before making any changes to your pet's medication regimen.
Laryngeal Paralysis
Older dogs, particularly retrievers or retriever mixes, may develop laryngeal paralysis—a condition where the larynx becomes unable to allow proper airflow into the trachea. Dogs with laryngeal paralysis may exhibit excessive panting and make a noise known as ‘stridor.' Keeping these dogs calm is crucial for their daily well-being.
Obesity
Excess body fat can also contribute to increased panting in dogs. The additional adipose tissue restricts breathing and hampers lung expansion, leading to more frequent panting. Moreover, overweight dogs are more prone to heat intolerance, making panting necessary for regulating their body temperature.
Heart or Lung Disease
Respiratory diseases, heart disease in particular, can cause abnormal breathing patterns and excessive panting in dogs. If you observe labored breathing or high sleeping respiratory rates in your dog, it is essential to seek veterinary care promptly. Congestive heart failure is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke poses a significant threat to dogs and can be fatal if left untreated. Even on relatively mild days with temperatures as low as 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), exertion combined with inadequate acclimation can lead to heatstroke. Commonly occurring during early spring or summer when there's a sudden shift in weather conditions, heatstroke occurs when your dog's body cannot dissipate the excess heat generated during exercise through regular panting alone.
What Should You Do?
If you notice that your old dog is experiencing excessive panting or exhibiting signs of respiratory distress such as difficulty breathing, it is crucial to contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance. Breathing difficulties require urgent attention and can have various causes.
For cases where your dog seems stable but still exhibits increased panting without any apparent triggers, it is still important to reach out to your vet for further evaluation. Document any episodes of excessive panting by capturing videos and noting the time and circumstances surrounding these incidents. Discussing these observations with your vet can help rule out potential causes discussed earlier.
Your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostics, such as bloodwork or X-rays, to investigate the root cause of your dog's excessive panting. Managing underlying diseases or chronic pain, maintaining a healthy weight, and implementing lifestyle adjustments can help alleviate excessive panting in senior dogs.
Keys to Take Away:
- Panting is a normal behavior for dogs but can become a concern when it happens more frequently in older dogs.
- Excessive panting in senior dogs may be due to anxiety, pain/discomfort, disease/metabolic changes, medication side effects, laryngeal paralysis, obesity, heart/lung disease, or heatstroke.
- It is important to consult with a veterinarian if you notice changes in your dog's panting patterns or signs of respiratory distress.
- Document any episodes of excessive panting by taking videos and noting relevant details.
- Your vet may recommend further diagnostics and develop an appropriate treatment plan based on the underlying cause of the excessive panting.
To learn more about pet care for old dogs HowPetCare.com has extensive articles related to senior dog health.
Here are some key points about old dogs and excessive panting:
- Panting is normal for dogs as they cool themselves down; however an increase in frequency could signal an underlying issue
- Older dogs might exhibit increased anxiety leading to excess panting; consider supplements that promote relaxation
- Pain or discomfort from medical conditions could be causing excessive panting; consult your vet for diagnosis
-Diseases such as Cushing’s alter metabolism while others like cancer or hyperthyroidism can affect respiration resulting in increased breathing rates & frequent need for water intake alongside heavy symptoms like feverishness. Dogs experiencing these changes should visit their vets! - Some medications can also cause excessive panting; consult with your vet before making any changes to your pet's medication regimen
- Laryngeal paralysis, obesity and heart/lung disease are other potential causes for increased panting in older dogs
- Heatstroke is a serious concern especially during warm months – ensure proper temperature regulation and don't overexert your furry friend. Watch out for heavy panting!
Make sure to bring up changes in breathing patterns with your veterinarian as they may indicate underlying conditions or pain which might not be obvious at first glance – timely intervention leads to happier days ahead!