Pet breathing difficulties

Pet breathing difficulties (also known as dyspnoea) can indicate a serious issue, and may be distressing for both the affected pet and their owner.

What are some common causes of pet breathing difficulties?
Dyspnoea in pets can be caused by:

Airway issues, e.g. brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds experiencing a sudden worsening in their breathing due to excessive heat or stress
Lung problems, e.g. congestive heart failure (where the lungs fill with fluid due to poor heart function), or pneumonia
Chest problems, e.g. trauma or rat bait poisoning causing bleeding within the chest cavity
Problems such as tick paralysis can impair the function of the airways, lungs and chest simultaneously.

What should I do if my pet is having trouble breathing?
If your pet is showing signs of breathing difficulties, it’s always best to have them assessed urgently, whatever the time of day. Please phone our clinic asking to have your pet seen as an emergency appointment.

If your pet is choking, carefully check their throat (if it’s safe enough to do so) and try to remove the foreign object, and seek veterinary attention as quickly as possible.

On the way to your appointment, try to keep your pet calm. Keep the car cool with high air-conditioner fan flow.

Once your pet reaches the clinic, our veterinary team will assess the animal and provide them with supplementary oxygen and assess them further and other treatment as needed.