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Dogs panting is totally normal and how they cool themselves off. Sometimes they do it when they are scared, stressed and sometimes for no reason at all. If you notice your dog panting a lot more than usual you may want to consult a vet.
Here is some more information you help you fully understand panting in dogs:
Excessive panting can be a sign of a medical problem, including obesity, heart problems, diseases of the lung, laryngeal paralysis, canine cognitive dysfunction and other disorders that cause anxiety, steroid use, Cushing’s disease, and more. If your dog has begun panting at what appears to be inappropriate times, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with your veterinarian.
My normal work-up for a dog that is panting a lot includes a history, physical exam, chest X-rays, a blood chemistry panel, complete blood cell count, urinalysis, fecal examination, and heartworm test if prevention and testing is not current. Depending on my findings, I might also recommend an EKG, blood pressure testing, a laryngeal exam under light sedation, and additional testing for Cushing’s disease.
If there is nothing wrong with your pooch it may just be a sensitivity to heat as they age. Just keep an eye on them and make sure the temperature is comfortable for them too. After all they are an important part of your family.
What do you do for your doggie when they are hot and panting?
Image Source: Jan-Erik Finnberg on Flickr
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