Healthy dogs pant after rigorous exercise or if they’re left outside to sweat it out on a warm day. After all, that’s how they eliminate excess body heat.
Some dogs pant when they’re nervous—during the dubious car ride to the groomer or a booming thunderstorm. Dogs will frequently pant when they’re excited—and for some dogs, that’s just about all the time!
But if your dog pants for no obvious reason, you should be concerned.
Causes
Aside from exercise and high temperatures, many medical conditions, such as heatstroke or fever from infection, can cause heavy panting. Such short-nosed breeds as bulldogs are especially prone to panting and heatstroke because they can’t always process enough air through their crowded nasal passages.
Some health problems reduce your dog’s ability to take in enough oxygen or deliver it to the tissues, including anemia, heart disease, respiratory disease, and abdominal enlargement. Dogs also pant when they’re in pain. Common causes include spinal (disk) disease, arthritis, and gastrointestinal disorders, such as pancreatitis and obstruction.
Other conditions that cause panting include:
• diabetes (Mellitus, Insipidus)
• Cushing’s syndrome
• kidney failure
• hyperthyroidism
• poisoning
What you can do at home
A cool place to lie down and a drink of water may help your dog beat the heat. On extremely hot days, keep your dog indoors or provide shelter in a shaded grassy area with access to water. Don’t let your dog lie on the concrete—it absorbs heat like a sponge.
Obesity taxes many of your dog’s body systems, and pudgy pets may pant more easily. Help your dog maintain a healthy weight by feeding him the right amount of high-quality food. Regular exercise is crucial, but take it easy on hot summer days.
If your dog feels feverish, you can take his temperature with a rectal thermometer. Hold your pet tightly against your chest, coat the metal tip with petroleum or other lubricating jelly, and insert it slowly into the rectum about 1 inch. After two minutes, remove and read the thermometer. A normal reading is 100.5 F to 102.5 F.
When to call the veterinarian
Make an appointment with the veterinarian if you suspect your dog is in pain or if he exhibits other symptoms, such as fever, appetite loss, lethargy, or vomiting.
Seek immediate medical care if your dog exhibits symptoms of heatstroke (weakness, panting, and a temperature above 104 F) or if you suspect poisoning or airway obstruction.
If your pet is suffering from heatstroke, try to lower his body temperature by covering him with wet towels. Place him in the car, apply ice packs around his abdomen and chest, and take him to the hospital.
What your veterinarian will do
Your veterinarian will take your dog’s temperature and thoroughly examine him for other signs of illness—paying particular attention to the heart and lungs. If your dog is in shock, the hospital team may initiate such emergency measures as administering CPR, intravenous fluids, and medications.
If your pet’s condition isn’t life-threatening, your veterinarian may perform blood and urine tests, X-rays, or ultrasound to pinpoint the problem. Many conditions cause panting, and your veterinarian can discuss specific treatments and your dog’s prognosis once he or she makes a diagnosis.
