Flat faced dog breeds, including pugs and French bull dogs, were in the headlines last week for all the wrong reasons.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) warned prospective dog owners about the health complications that can affect them throughout their life. Amongst the problems that these dogs face are breathing difficulties.
This advice from your Knutsford Vets will help you identify if your dog could be having breathing difficulties.
Signs of breathing difficulties in dogs
There are a range of signs that your dog is experiencing breathing difficulties. The severity and nature of these signs can dictate how urgent medical attention is. Under all circumstances, if your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms for the first time and they have not already been seen by a vet you should arrange an appointment immediately. Signs of breathing difficulties include: –
- The belly and chest moving together with each breath
- Breathing with an open mouth and excessive panting, which can be particularly concerning if the pet has not undergone strenuous exercise.
- Pet breathing heavy with its head bowed low beneath its body
- Noisy or rapid breathing rate
- Shallow breathing
- Coughing or wheezing
What can cause breathing difficulties in dogs?
Breathing difficulties in dogs can be caused by a range of chronic conditions, structural abnormalities or genetic disorders. Breathing difficulties can be a mild condition that bother your dog throughout their life, or they might develop quickly and be more severe. Below are a few conditions that could be causing breathing difficulties for your dogs: –
- Bacterial infection
- Structural abnormality such as soft palate
- Heart Failure
- Allergies
- Tumours
- Foreign objects
What to do if my pet experiences breathing problems?
If your pet is experiencing any of the breathing problems that were outlined above, it should be a cause for concern. You should contact the vet immediately and arrange for a consultation with your veterinary team. Knutsford Vets Surgery are one of the best equipped vets in Cheshire, with a range of diagnostic equipment that will help us get to the bottom of your dog’s breathing problems.
Can my dogs breathing problems be treated?
The treatment for your dog’s breathing conditions will depend on the severity of the condition, the causes of the issue and their breed. Where possible we will offer medication if we think it will improve your dog’s health or we will refer them to a specialist should they require an operation.
Our team at Knutsford Vets Surgery are experienced in dealing with all veterinary ailments and will give you the advice that your dog needs.
