My dog is breathing heavily at rest. Is an emergency vet needed?

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Lacey Mae's breathing appears labored or she is breathing quickly (faster than 40 breaths a minutes) or panting heavily, and you feel Lacey is in distress, I would recommend having her seen right away. Underlying cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary conditions can cause and contribute to labored breathing and respiratory distress which would require an emergency veterinary visit. You can also request a consult with me and I will be happy to review the video and advise further. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Honey Bear The heart rates you are counting are normal. If she is breathing fast then that is an emergency so she absolutely should be taken to the Vet to be sure she is oxygenating properly. Having trouble breathing is very uncomfortable for a pet. Causes for increased respiratory rate in an older dog are: heart failure, anemia from internal bleeding, cancer, pneumonia, fluid around the lungs, hot outside, fever, Cushing's disease. I wish Honey Bear the very best!

This is a quite generic but concerning sign. Differentials are many, from any disease that can spread systemically (causing lethargy for example) like infection, or anything that can cause pain/discomfort. Heavy breathing could be a reaction to pain or caused by primary respiratory disease. A check up is definitively needed to understand underlying cause and treat appropriately. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question. I'm quite concerned about her. Her breathing rate is high for resting, and labored breathing is a medical emergency. I think you should take her into an ER vet now to get checked out. Best of luck.

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry for your concerns about Louie. If you are very concerned then you should have him seen as soon as possible. I can not make any other recommendation since I have no way to asses his vitals. But, if his heartrate is strong & steady at around 140-160 beats per minute, respirations around 30-40 breath per minute, his gums are nice & pink, not pale or extremely red, then he should be OK until the morning. But please, if you are concerned, have him seen as soon as possible. Take care.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds as though your dog is in respiratory distress and should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Breathing problems are a medical emergency and should not be ignored. There maybe a life threatening problem.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. With these symptoms I am very worried about what could be going on with Miss Piggy. If she was exhibiting respiratory problems last night and then fell over, she could have passed out due to lack of oxygen / blood to the brain. I would be worried about primary heart disease / failure and respiratory disease that has lead to these symptoms. Seeing that Miss Piggy is older in the photos, heart disease and respiratory disease are definitely my top suspicions. I would strongly recommend that you get her seen by an emergency veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would have her blood tested and have x-rays taken of her chest to see what is going on. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do in the meantime for her if this is her heart or respiratory disease. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.