Breathing Problems

What conditions can cause breathing problems in pets?

Breathing problems develop secondary to many medical conditions, including:

• Heart disease
• Laryngeal paralysis
• Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
• Polyps
• Immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)
• Fungal, bacterial, or viral infections
• Foreign object obstruction
• Cancer or tumors
• Heartworm disease
• Feline asthma
• Trauma 
• Obesity

Hot weather, intense exercise, and overexcitement can also create breathing problems, so evaluate your pet carefully for other illness indicators, taking their situation and environment into account.

How can breathing problems affect my pet’s quality of life?

Pets who struggle to breathe experience decreased energy and activity levels, which contributes to a poor quality of life if they cannot move, rest, or enjoy their daily routine comfortably. Depending on the cause, your pet may be unable to eat or drink well, or may be restless at night if they cannot breathe well while lying down to sleep. 

How can I manage my pet’s breathing problems at home?

Your family veterinarian will likely recommend testing to determine the underlying cause and prescribe medication to treat the source of your pet’s problem, and help improve their breathing, but you can undertake a few tasks at home. Try the following to help your pet breathe more easily:

• Keep your pet at an ideal body condition to prevent obesity-induced breathing issues.
• Engage in low-intensity exercise rather than vigorous play.
• Soften your pet’s dry food or feed canned food to help them eat better. 
• Do not smoke, use strong perfume or cologne, air fresheners or light candles in your home, to minimize heavy scents.
• Avoid taking your pet outside for long periods of time when it’s hot or humid.

When should I seek veterinary help for my pet’s breathing problems?

If your pet has a chronic condition, you should maintain close contact with your family veterinarian about their progress and management. Contact your family veterinarian in these situations:

• Your pet is panting excessively, despite not exercising
• Your pet’s gums have a purple or blue tinge
• Your pet appears to struggle to breathe, including when resting
• Your pet cannot rest comfortably because they cannot breathe well

Your family veterinarian may have additional management tips, administer oxygen therapy or breathing treatments, or prescribe medications to better manage your pet’s condition, based on their diagnosis. 

Before your pet’s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life, beginning end-of-life care discussions is vital. Learn more about pet hospice, in-home euthanasia, and our telehospice services, or contact a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area, so you can feel fully prepared for this difficult time.