My 11-week Yorkie puppy has a heart murmur and labored breathing. Is this an emergency?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, that would be considered an emergency. The main reason is that dogs with heart murmurs and heart disease can develop congestive heart failure which is a medical emergency that would warrant evaluation as soon as possible for Maya. The veterinarian would be able to check for this possibility and treat accordingly. Usually if congestive heart failure is confirmed, she may need oxygen therapy, diuretic medications and medications to make her heart work better. Good luck! Wishing Maya the best!

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

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Bindi. Poor girl, I'm concerned about the amount she is breathing (breaths per minute) and the wheezing. Breathing issues can quickly become serious and life threatening, so I think it is best she sees a vet now. Please take her into an ER vet now. Best of luck.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Increased resting respiratory rate is always a concern. It could be caused by heart problems or lungs disease (infection, inflammation, lung mass etc). Sometimes faster respiration is due to collapsed trachea and upper airways infection (common in Yorkies) or abdominal pathology. Please, get in touch with your vet as Bella should be checked over. Your vet may recommend chest x-ray, heart scan or abdominal ultrasound to make the final diagnosis.

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!

Poor pup! Without being able to examine him in person and listen to his breathing, it's hard to say whether he just got choked on some water in the shower, or if this is something more serious. Breathing issues can be a life-threatening emergency in many cases, so the best advice I can give is to take him to your nearest emergency clinic right away to be assessed. The veterinarian there should be able to give you a better idea of what's going on, and see what kind of treatment is needed.

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!