Breathing is essential to the wellbeing of all animals, and changes or injury to any part of the respiratory tract may be acutely and unexpectedly fatal.
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Breathing patterns in our pets will change based on factors such as activity level, ambient temperature, the presence of irritants or toxins in the air, illness and emotions such as excitement, fear or anxiety.
Dogs and cats at rest have a normal respiration rate of 10 to 35 breaths per minute.
To check your pet's respiration rate, count their chest movements (in and out counts as one) for 15 seconds and multiply by four to get the total number of breaths per minute.
If a respiration rate is persistently high and cannot be attributed to the environmental factors listed above, it may signal a health problem such as anaemia, congestive heart failure or various respiratory disorders.
Shallow or slow breathing is also a concern as an animal with a very low respiratory rate may be in shock.
This can be the result of a number of factors such as trauma (like being hit by a car), poisoning or certain neurological disorders.
Other signs of respiratory problems to be aware of are noisy breathing, difficulty breathing in or out, a blue tinge to the tongue, deep, forceful breathing, or coughing, especially a dry cough or one that brings up mucus.
Shallow or slow breathing is also a concern ...
Needless to say, any change in your pet's breathing may warrant a trip to the vet ASAP.
What can you do if you notice a change in your pet's breathing?
Contact a veterinarian immediately and allow your pet to rest to reduce the body's need for oxygen.
Gentle and slow handling avoids undue distress, and provide shade or remove the animal from potential irritants (eg dust or smoke). Also ensure your pet's airway is clear by gently extending out their neck while laying them on their stomach with their head between their front paws and closely observe and monitor both the respiratory rate and effort of breathing.