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Breathing Fast While Resting in Dogs
Written By Darlene Stott
Published: 07/23/2017Updated: 10/28/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Breathing Fast While Resting?
Many factors control fast breathing in dogs, and sometimes the underlying problem can be life-threatening, especially if it happens when your dog is at rest. You should definitely be watchful if your pup has a breathing rate over 30 breaths a minute, because this is considered too fast. Excessive and rapid breathing while resting is called tachypnea and may be a symptom of the following medical conditions:
- Heat stroke
- Fluid in the lungs
- Heart failure
- Anemia
- Onion poisoning
The severity of your dog’s tachypnea will depend on the underlying condition causing him to breathe fast. It is important to bring your dog to the veterinarian to determine how serious the threat is and how to treat rapid breathing best.
Why Breathing Fast While Resting Occurs in Dogs
There may be several reasons why your dog is breathing fast while at rest. If he has just finished playing hard and is taking a rest, it is normal for him to pant or breathe rapidly for a few minutes. However, if he does not settle his breathing or breathes fast without exerting himself, there may be an underlying medical reason.
Heat Stroke
Dogs do not have sweat glands and use their breathing as a means to cool themselves off. When they become overheated, they will breathe rapidly and excessively. Signs of heat stroke, also known as hyperthermia, include elevated body temperatures of 103F or higher, drooling, weakness, and seizures. Dogs who have flat faces, such as Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, and Bull Mastiffs are at increased risk of heat stroke because they cannot pant as effectivity.
Fluid in the Lungs
Rapid breathing in your dog may also indicate he has fluid in his lungs. Though a small amount of fluid is usually present in a dog's lungs, excessive build up can become a serious health concern and may indicate other underlying medical conditions. Other symptoms, such as blue-colored gums, low body temperature, and difficulty breathing may also accompany fast breathing.
Heart Failure
Rapid breathing may be a response to congestive heart failure. When a dog's heart starts to fail his body is not circulating enough oxygen, and rapid breathing develops to counteract the lower levels of oxygen in circulation. Breathing can also quicken due to fluid build-up on the lungs and compression of the lungs due to an enlarged liver and/or fluid in the abdomen. Dogs with heart failure often have a persistent cough. Breathing will be labored as well, and your dog may show an increased intolerance for exercise.
Anemia
Anemia can occur when your dog's immune system attacks red blood cells as if they are a foreign threat, or experience blood loss, or when the bone marrow is not making red blood cells as it should. A lower red blood cell count means less oxygen is in circulation, and your dog's body may react by increasing respiration. Other common symptoms of anemia include weakness, jaundice, pale gums, and lethargy. Certain breeds are predisposed to develop anemia, such as Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Shih Tzus. Additionally, tick-borne infectious diseases have been associated with immune-related anemia.
Onion Poisoning
A dog's diet plays a huge role in their health and feeding him table scraps meant for human consumption can have negative impacts. Onions, when consumed in large quantities or over a long period of time, can cause fast breathing in your dog due to them causing haemolytic anaemia. Your dog may also excessively salivate, vomit, or have diarrhea. Garlic is an even more potent a poison than onions and should be avoided as well.
Lung Disease
Diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract can result in faster breathing. Conditions such as tracheal collapse, laryngeal paralysis, bronchitis, lungworm, pneumothorax and pneumonia would all need to be considered.
Lung Disease
Diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract can result in faster breathing. Conditions such as tracheal collapse, laryngeal paralysis, bronchitis, lungworm, pneumothorax and pneumonia would all need to be considered.
What to do if your Dog is Breathing Fast While Resting
It is critical that you seek medical help if you have determined your dog is not breathing fast due to recently exerting himself and that he may be suffering from a medical condition. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency care. If you believe your dog is experiencing heat stroke, take him to the hospital immediately. While in transport, make efforts to cool your dog down using a wet, lukewarm towel and moving air. If possible, record your dog's rectal temperature every five minutes while in transport.
Once at the hospital, the veterinarian will work to stabilize your dog's respiration and lower his body temperature. In severe cases, your dog may have to be intubated to assist with respiration and fluid therapy is administered for stabilization. Antibiotics may be given to prevent sepsis from bacteria if your dog is vomiting or has bloody diarrhea. Heat stroke is a serious illness that requires immediate, early, and aggressive treatment to save your dog from organ and system failure.
Even if you do not suspect heat stroke, you should still take your dog to the veterinarian to determine why your dog is breathing fast. Your vet will perform a physical examination and ask you when you first noticed signs of rapid breathing. The vet will also ask for a full medical history including your dog's diet and any medications he is taking.
Your veterinarian will listen to your dog's heart and lungs. The vet may order chest X-rays if he suspects heart or lung issues as well as an echocardiogram to assess the heart structure and check for fluids on the lungs.
If you suspect or know your dog has eaten large amounts of onions or garlic your veterinarian may induce vomiting in your dog or administer charcoal for absorption. In severe cases, your vet may provide oxygen therapy and a blood transfusion to make up for the reduction of red blood cells as toxicosis from onions can cause anemia.
Prevention of Breathing Fast While Resting
You may not be able to prevent heart failure in your dog as he ages, but it is important to recognize the early signs of failure so you can make lifestyle adjustments and prevent further complications. Heat stroke, on the other hand, is entirely preventable.
Heat stroke can quickly escalate and be deadly for your dog. To prevent suffering from heat stroke, make sure your dog has adequate water and shade while outside and only exercise him during the cooler parts of the day. Closed in vehicles, even with windows cracked, can become extremely hot. Never leave your dog alone in a closed vehicle.
Dog food is designed specifically for your dog, while your leftovers were made for human consumption. Be extremely careful when feeding your dog table scraps as onions and garlic are toxic to your dog in large amounts. Though most dogs do not like the taste of onion and garlic plants, keep the raw food items out of reach. Over consumption of either can become deadly when consumed.
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Cost of Breathing Fast While Resting
The cost of treating fast breathing in your dog depends on the underlying medical condition. For example, it can cost around $950 to treat onion poisoning whereas it can cost around $5,000 to treat heat stroke.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Breathing Fast While Resting Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Black Mouth Cur
One Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fast Breathing
My dog has been breathing really fast and heavy for the last 2 days and earlier she sat down beside me and was shivering. The shivers have subsided but she’s still breathing fast and heavy.
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Because this doesn't seem to be getting better, it would be a good idea to have her seen by a veterinarian who can examine her, listen to her heart and lungs, and make sure that she is okay. The breathing that you are seeing might mean something is going on that needs treatment, and your veterinarian will be able to see her and let you know if there is anything to worry about.
I hope that all goes well for her.
Oct. 4, 2020
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Shihpoo
Four Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
He is breathing very heavy and he stinks I’m scared he is dying because he had bones and I’m scared he has a puncture in his stomach
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If you are concerned that he is dying, it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian right away. They will be able to examine him and see what treatment that he might need.
Oct. 7, 2020
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Great white Pyrenees
Six months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Heavy Breathing
Has heavy breathing when he’s resting but not all the time
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I am sorry for the delay, this platform is not set up for urgent emails.
The breathing that you are noticing might be normal for him, or he may have a problem. If you are concerned, it would be a good idea to have your veterinarian examine him, as they can listen to his heart and lungs, and see if what you are seeing is something that needs treatment.
Oct. 10, 2020
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Mutt
Ten Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Very Rapid Breathing Exsssive Water Drinking
Could this be heart disease?
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Breathing faster or with more effort than usual is one sign of possible heart disease, yes. If this is happening, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment.
Oct. 12, 2020
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Pit Bull
Ten Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
How can I help my dog to stop excessively panting?
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. .
He may be panting because he is hot, overweight, it is humid, or he has lung or heart disease. Since I cannot see him or see what might be causing this, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any treatment that they might need.
Oct. 13, 2020
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French Bulldog
Nugget
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bronchitis
My 24lbs dog has been breathing fast in the midnight around 2am the last 2days (not in the afternoon or night) It was 50breathes/min. She stops breathing fast if I wake her up but I'm still worried. Right now she is taking cortisone, antibiotic, cough suppressant & opening airway meds to treat bronchitis. Vet listened to her heart & said heart sound is good. So why is she breathing fast? She doesn't cough anymore after taking meds & besides breathing fast in the midnight, she eats, plays, and poops well.
Mountain cu
Blackie
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My 12 year old mountain kur is breathing fast,shallow rabid breathing while sleeping, this new. Every position is the same. He has slowed down in his years but still runs,eats well and drinks. He does has running eyes and sneezing. Allergies?
Fluid on lungs?
No medication except for an allergy pill, just started this wee
Jack Russell
Mitsey
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Loss Of Appetite
Shivering
My jack russel, Mitsey, is 10 years old and has been showing some symptoms lately and our family aren’t sure wether it’s due to an illness or her life coming to an end. Her breathing has become rapid, heart beating fast. She’s has a loss of appetite and has eaten a minimal amount of food during the week.Though, any time she has eaten her body can’t keep the food down, thus leading to vomiting. Mitsey has been shivering/trembling and after letting her outside she sat in the middle of the garden staring at a fence. Our other dog has been barking at Mitsey and we are questioning whether he senses her time is near. Any ideas? We are all so worried and hope it’s just a stomach bug, but with her age we are concerned. Thank you.
