My dog with heart disease is wheezing. Should I go to the ER vet?

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.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Rocco. I'm sorry he isn't doing well. It could be heart disease, but it could also be a respiratory infection. As long as he isn't in respiratory distress and having severe trouble breathing, you can wait until the morning. Should he go into respiratory distress, this cannot wait until the morning. In that case, please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. I hope this helps!

Hello. Any new breathing problems should be looked at immediately. Even if Boris has had this problem for a while, if it has suddenly gotten worse, he should be looked at quickly, even if it means a trip to the emergency clinic. I hope he is doing better soon & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Roxy! If Roxy is having trouble breathing she needs to see a veterinarian right away. We have to assume she is in congestive heart failure. Just increasing the medication likely will not be enough. You can give her another 1/2 of furosemide while you find an open emergency room. Oral medications are not quick enough in situations like this. She likely needs oxygen and injectable medications. I wish Roxy the best!

This may be due to allergies, infection, laryngeal paralysis or hyperthermia just to name a few causes. In an older dog, heart disease cannot be ruled out. Respiratory distress should be addressed as soon as possible by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. If it is hot outside or inside, remove Burt to a cooler area. Use a fan and cool cloths to gradually cool him off.

Heart disease is tough. This is true for humans or animals. Pets can quickly go from ok to not ok in minutes. Most forms of heart disease are progressive which means they get worse over time. Signs of worsening heart disease can be increased heart rate and respiratory rate, collapse, exercise intolerance, or coughing. There are many medications that can help improve quality of life. Please see your vet ASAP for an exam and possibly more tests or meds. Hope Boomer feels better!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Wheezing can be a sign of many conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Jayme evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include thoracic radiographs and bloodwork. Treatment would be dependent on findings. Good luck and have a good day!