Why is my pet-sitting Yorkie panting heavily? Is she too hot or sick?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If you have noticed a change in her breathing pattern and she appears to have labored breathing, I would recommend getting her in to be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Without a video, it is difficult to say for sure what the problem is. I hope this helps! Please let me know you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like Lassie may have gotten very hot outside and needs to pant to cool off. Dogs cannot sweat to release heat, so they have to pant to breathe off heat. As long as Lassie can settle down and act normally, eat, drink, etc, he should be OK. I hope this is helpful!

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.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the symptoms you are describing, it is difficult to say for sure what the cause could be. It sounds as though Sugar is not feeling well. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction and that Sugar gets better soon! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

I can understand your concern about Leona's increased panting. As you know, dogs can pant for a ton of different reasons. Some of these can include behavioral issues, such as anxiety, or medical problems, such as heart or lung diseases, heat stroke (unlikely in this case, I understand), or pain from an injury or arthritis. I'm glad that you've tried to actively cool Leona by using the air conditioner and by grooming her. Since it doesn't sound like that's changed her panting, I think it would be best to take her to the vet for a full physical exam. Your vet will be able to listen to her heart and lungs, and check her for sources of pain. It's really important to rule out any medical causes of this excessive panting, as some can be quite serious. If medical issues have been ruled out, your vet will be able to discuss possible causes and treatments of anxiety. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Based on the pictures Chutki doesn’t look pale. If she is having a change in her exercise pattern, I would recommend an exam by a veterinarian to rule out pain (which can cause panting) or a heart condition. These are common signs seen for both. Good luck and kisses to Chutki!

It could be due to excessive heat that she is panting, but it could also be due to something else such as a heart condition or pain. Given your geographical location, I do not believe the excessive panting is due to hot weather. I would definitely recommend having Storm checked by a vet first.