What is Low Blood Oxygen?
Just like people, the oxygen in the blood has to be at a certain level to sustain life in dogs. Without the proper amount of oxygen in your dog’s blood, The amount needed for the health and performance of the dog’s vital organs is more than 70mm, but in hypoxemia, the blood gas is usually lower than 60mm hemoglobin. Another way to determine hypoxemia is if the dog has an oxygen saturation level of less than 90%. Hypoxemia is a life-threatening emergency situation which will result in death if not treated right away. If your dog has symptoms of not being able to breathe, you should take him to the veterinary hospital or clinic immediately.
Low blood oxygen, or hypoxemia, is a serious condition that is described as a decreased and insufficient amount of arterial blood needed for the dog’s body systems. If hypoxemia is left untreated, even for a short period, the internal organs will start to malfunction, so immediate medical attention is needed.
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Symptoms of Low Blood Oxygen in Dogs
If your dog is suffering from hypoxemia, you should notice right away because he will obviously be in distress and gasping for breath. There may be a blue tint to your dog’s skin as well. If your dog is alone at the time (common with outdoor dogs) and nobody notices the symptoms, it is likely to be fatal due to the permanent damage to the brain, lungs, and other vital organs from loss of oxygen. It is good to check on your outside dog often or bring him indoors if you are unable to do so. Some of the most common symptoms in hypoxemia are:
- Shortness of breath
- Gagging or gasping
- Difficult and rapid breathing
- Excessive coughing and gagging
- Blue or purple tint to the skin (cyanosis)
- Fast heart rate
- Pain when breathing
- Frothy discharge from nose and mouth
- Weakness
- Refusing to exercise or walk
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Fainting
- Collapse
- Seizure
- Death
Causes of Low Blood Oxygen in Dogs
The cause of hypoxemia is a lower than normal oxygen level in the blood, but there are many causes of the low oxygen levels. There are four general causes for the drop in the oxygen level, but each cause has its own reasons:
Hypoventilation
- Neuromuscular disease
- Cervical spinal cord disease
- Obstruction or disease of the airway
- Heavy sedation
- Severe respiratory muscle fatigue
V/Q Mismatch
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary hemorrhage
- Pulmonary neoplasia
- Pulmonary embolism
Intrapulmonary Shunt
- Lung collapse
- Lung disease
Diffusion Impairment
- Pulmonary fibrosis
Other
- Injury
- Heart disease
- Severe anemia
Diagnosis of Low Blood Oxygen in Dogs
Since you may be at an emergency animal hospital or clinic instead of your regular veterinarian, it is important to bring information about your dog’s medical history including vaccination records, illnesses, injuries, abnormal behavior, and changes in appetite. You will also need to give the veterinarian detailed information on the symptoms you noticed and what led up to the incident. It is also a good idea to call your regular veterinarian’s office and let them know what is going on and where you are taking your dog. Be sure to give the animal hospital or clinic your veterinarian’s name and number so they can contact their office and forward any important information.
The veterinarian at the hospital will first get your dog stabilized by providing oxygen therapy and fluids before doing a physical examination. During the exam, they will be checking heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation level.
Some blood tests will need to be done, such as complete blood count (CBC), blood gases, chemical profile, and glucose level. Other tests the veterinarian will likely perform are radiographs (x-rays) of the chest and abdomen, echocardiogram (EKG), endoscopy, and a fine needle biopsy of any fluid in the lungs and chest cavity if necessary. If further details are needed, the veterinarian will order an MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound.
Treatment of Low Blood Oxygen in Dogs
The treatment depends on the final diagnosis, but the initial care will be oxygen therapy by mask, enclosed oxygen cage, or nasal cannula.
IV medication (i.e. antibiotics, bronchodilators, antihistamines, diuretics, mucus thinning medication), and draining of excess fluid in the lungs or chest cavity will also be provided during oxygen therapy if needed. Your dog will be hospitalized until stable, and then can go home if the underlying cause is found and treated.
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Recovery of Low Blood Oxygen in Dogs
Once your dog is home, you will need to continue to provide a comfortable place to rest and recuperate away from other animals and family members that may cause stress or anxiety. It is important to keep your dog calm and quiet during recovery. If the veterinarian sent your dog home with any medication, be sure to follow the instructions and give all of the medication even if it seems like it is not needed after a few days. Failing to finish the medication can cause the illness to return, and it may be worse than the original episode.
Low Blood Oxygen Average Cost
From 65 quotes ranging from $700 - $10,000
Average Cost
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Top
Low Blood Oxygen Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Shepherd
Sparky
16 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My dog was a 16 years old mix shepherd we took him to a regular clinic not a hospital! Because he didn’t wanna eat anymore! They did some test on him at that clinic and said it was hard for him to breath and they said he might have cancer or might bleeding inside ! Well they did an X-ray and said he had cancer and had no red blood cells ! And suggested to put him to sleep!! My question is could of they done any treatment to see if he was gonna get better !!! I’m so devastated of losing him it’s been 3 days without him and I regret not going to a Hospital and getting a 2nd opinion.
March 25, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
I'm sorry for your loss, that is very sad. Without knowing more about Sparky's bloodwork or situation, i can't comment on what might have been going on with him, unfortunately. With his age, and the signs that you describe, it seems that he may have been suffering, and your decision may have been correct. If you do have concerns, it is reasonable to follow up with the veterinarian that you saw, to ask more questions. I am sorry, again, for the loss of your Sparky.
March 26, 2018
Thank you so much for your quick response! Is gonna take me a while to overcome this pain of losing him ! Thanks so much !
March 26, 2018
Sparky's Owner
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alapaha blue blood bulldog
Frank
8 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
Snoring
Twitching
Snorting
Heavy Breathing
My dog is an 8yr old alapaha blue blood bulldog, similar to an American bulldog. He has severe allergies and has had them most of his life. He recently has had 3 seizures in the last 6 months. The last 2 happening a month apart. Now I've noticed that his breathing has seemed to change. I'm wondering if he's not getting adequate oxygen to his brain. All 3 seizures have happened between 8am-10am while he's in a deep sleep. They only have lasted 15-30 seconds each time and he comes out of them. I just had him at the vet and they want to try valium. But if this is a breathing issue I do not want to suppress it and make it worse and more vulnerable to having a seizure. What tests can I have done without seeing a neurologist or any specialist for that matter if I don't have to?
Oct. 5, 2017
1 Recommendations
A pulse oximeter will show the relative concentration of oxygen in circulation which is a non-invasive clip-on device; echocardiography may also be useful to look at heart structure and function along with ECG. Auscultation of the chest listening for heart and lung sounds is usually the first step in determining that there is an issue; other than that you would be looking at blood counts and biochemistry to assess overall internal health. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 5, 2017
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German Shepherd
Storm
3 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pale Gums
None
At it's most critical it was 12% (vet diagnosed hookworms & bad nutrition as she wouldn't eat). Raised to 18%, which is when she got discharged from vets. Originally showing symptoms (diarrhoea, reduced appetite, reduced energy levels) now has no symptoms at all except the pale gums and low PCV. Maintained at 18/17% for 2 weeks. Possibly regenerative anaemia/non-regenerative anaemia. Vet's unsure and concerned at PCV not rising since hookworms gone. Puppy eats, drinks and poo's like a normal puppy, plays a lot and is very bright and alert.
Please help.
Aug. 30, 2017
1 Recommendations
It is important to determine whether or not the anaemia is regenerative or not, the number of reticulocytes in circulation would give an indication to this or the results of a bone marrow aspirate. Working on the PCV is important, many factors go into red blood cell production starting with a hormone secreted by the kidneys called erythropoietin (you hear about it a lot in sports like cycling) which stimulates red blood cell production; more investigation may be needed to determine if the problem is an increase in destruction or a decrease in production. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 30, 2017
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Yorkshire Terrier
Nina
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Heavy Breathing
Blue And Purple Gums
My dog is heavily pantting, her gums are dark pink with blue and purple sports. It goes away for a little then she start pantting really fast. She has been eating normal about 2 meals a day she's a yorkie terrier. I don't know what's wrong or what to do?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Any type of respiratory distress should be seen by your Veterinarian especially if you are seeing dark pink gums with some blue spots which disappear when respiration increases is indicative of inadequate oxygen being supplied to the blood, this may be due to lung problems or blood problems (carbon monoxide poisoning for example). In any case, it is important to visit your Veterinarian immediately for emergency oxygen and care. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Low Blood Oxygen Average Cost
From 65 quotes ranging from $700 - $10,000
Average Cost
$3,000
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