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Why does my senior dog struggle to breathe and wheeze after exercise?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | 12 years and 10 months old | 150 lbs
My yellow lab is almost 13 years old, a little weak but still eating and drinking. The only problem is that she has a horrible time breathing after being physically active even for just a few minutes. She heaves and wheezes and can't eat until her breathing calms down to normal. Is she just old and her lungs are giving out or is there something we might do to help her?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 12th, 2018
This could be due to a few different problems that can likely be treated effectively. One possibility is heart failure. They tend to have a decrease in activity and tire more easily after exercise with this condition. It can also cause them to have labored breathing and wheezing after exercise. This can be dramatically improved with medication.
Another possibility is that she has a condition known as laryngeal paralysis. This can cause very noisy breathing after exercise. This can be corrected with surgery.
It's worthwhile to at-least have Sammie evaluated by a veterinarian. They can likely narrow-down the possibilities with an exam and possibly a few tests.
I hope that helps and Sammie gets better soon.
Another possibility is that she has a condition known as laryngeal paralysis. This can cause very noisy breathing after exercise. This can be corrected with surgery.
It's worthwhile to at-least have Sammie evaluated by a veterinarian. They can likely narrow-down the possibilities with an exam and possibly a few tests.
I hope that helps and Sammie gets better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful