A puppy’s arrival at home is usually a joyful and exciting moment. However, many circumstances when caring for the puppy create anxiety and worry for pet parents.
One of the most common concerns that plague parents of puppies is the fact that they notice their adorable puppy’s breathing rate increase during sleep. Does this sound normal? Do you have to be concerned?
Find out more about how your puppy breathes and why it could be breathing rapidly while asleep, whether or not it is a reason to be concerned, and what to take action if you spot rapid breathing in your puppy while sleeping.
Understanding Puppy Respiration
Before we can say that the puppy is breathing “too quickly,” it is essential to understand the regular respiration rate of a puppy. The average respiration rate for a puppy at rest is 15-40 breaths per minute. This is more than for an adult dog’s respiratory rate, which is between 10 and 30 breaths per minute during rest.
Puppy dogs take in more air at rest than adult dogs because they grow and need more oxygen to fuel their rapid metabolic rate and increase their cellular size.
The most effective way to assess your puppy’s breathing rate is when they’re sleeping. It’s not the equivalent of lying down – they should be asleep. So, you’ll know they’re not breathing rapidly because they’ve just finished playing and are ecstatic, hot, etc.
To determine the speed at which your puppy’s breath is taken, Set a timer to 60 seconds. Then, please select the number of times their chests rise and fall as they breathe when asleep.
Why Does My Puppy Breathe Rapidly While Sleeping?
If your puppy’s breathing rate is between 15-40 breaths a minute, it is normal, and there is nothing to worry about.
If, however, you notice that your pet’s respiratory rate is higher than the normal range, There are several possible reasons for this. Certain conditions are harmless, and others might need a consultation with your vet.
Common The causes of fast breathing in dogs.
Here are some common reasons why your puppy’s breathing quickly while asleep:
Recent play or exercise. The most common reason that a puppy is breathing fast when resting is due to an exercise session or play. Suppose your puppy is just playing with a brand-new toy and is chasing you around your area or jumping onto other pets. In that case, they will require more oxygen than usual to release all the accumulated carbon dioxide and recharge their cells. It is a normal and normal cause of rapid breathing in puppies. If your puppy’s breathing rate is high, their breathing rate will slow while they rest. This usually happens within the first 10 to 15 minutes.
Temperature. If your puppy is asleep outside on a warm day, and they’re lying on a heating source such as a heating pad when it’s warm inside their enclosure or if they have just completed their outdoor play on a day that is warm, it could be that they are breathing fast to lose heat. Living quickly or in a hurry is the most effective method for dogs to shed heat.
If you suspect this is why your puppy’s breathing is too fast, It is essential to help cool them down because puppies are more vulnerable to heat stroke. Please turn on the heater, turn off your heating pad directly with a fan, or bring them inside the air conditioning to ease them into a more relaxed environment. Always ensure that they have plenty of water.
The dreaming. Perhaps the cutest reason for a puppy to breathe quickly while asleep is to dream. Yes, puppies dream just like we do! The type of dream they have occurs in REM asleep, and various physiological changes are also observed, such as increased heart rates. Dogs breathing quickly because of a plane often exhibit other indicators of a vivid night, like blinking or even crying. There’s no need to get your puppy up if you see these symptoms, but the easiest way to determine whether they’re dreaming is to wake them awake gently. See whether their breathing stops.
Anxiety or fear. The puppies may experience elevated stress levels once they arrive at a new place and may also experience an anxiety-like feeling after being separated from their littermates and mother. Stress or anxiety is likely to trigger increased cortisol levels, that hormone that triggers a combat or flight reaction. This hormone increases the rate of heart contraction, increasing the rate of breath. The stress response is lessened when a puppy is asleep. In time your puppy will get comfortable with their new surroundings and family.
The causes of fast puppy breathing are often abnormal. Breathing
We’ve now covered the most common reasons a puppy is prone to breathing fast when asleep. Let’s look at some possible causes that might cause anxiety:
Pain. Puppy dogs are more uncoordinated than cute, and, unfortunately, they’re frequently injured occasionally. They may also be dropped, kicked, or stepped upon due to their tiny size. If your pup is suffering and breathing is slow, they’ll be more agitated. Most often, you’ll see an unsteady gait or perhaps swelling in the area to guide you to know that your dog is suffering from discomfort. If this is the probable reason, it is recommended that your dog be examined by a veterinarian to be treated with safe and efficient pain medications and any other treatment your puppy might need.
Heart disease. Sometimes newborns are diagnosed with congenital heart issues. Within the uterus of your puppy’s heart is one large, open-air pump with gaps between the different chambers. As a puppy is born, these openings are supposed to close so that blood can be directed to the lungs or the rest of the body. When one or more of the holes cannot complete, it could result in murmurs and an insufficient heartbeat in the puppy affected. The puppy may also have narrowed vessels or weak heart valves that leak.
A slow heartbeat may cause blood not to be adequately oxygenated, which requires the heart to beat faster and the breathing rate to increase to obtain more oxygen. Children born with a congenital heart defect are usually weaker, fatigued more efficiently, and have an increased breathing rate than the average. These conditions can be fatal, and a visit to the vet is essential.
Lung disease. Puppies have weaker immune systems than adult dogs. They are, therefore, more susceptible to airway infections and illnesses like influenza, pneumonia, kennel cough, and more. These illnesses hinder the exchange of carbon dioxide from the lung. As a result, puppies suffering from lung problems need to breathe faster to compensate for the lower oxygen levels they get with every breath. The more severe the condition more powerful, the more difficult it will become for the puppy to get sufficient oxygen.
Pets suffering from lung disease typically exhibit other signs of illness, such as cough, lethargy, nasal discharge, and appetite loss. They must see a veterinarian immediately for treatment since the earlier the condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of recovery is.
Anemia. Red blood cells are required to carry oxygen throughout your body and to distribute oxygen to the areas needed. Suppose a puppy lacks Red blood cell count, which is also called anemia which is a condition that requires them to exert more effort to move these red blood cells that they have in the body at a faster rate. This will cause the lungs and heart to work more intensely than usual, and you’ll notice an increase in the respiratory rate of your puppy.
The most frequent reason for the anemia of puppies is parasites. Internal parasites like hookworms and external parasites like fleas can cause severe bleeding in puppies. Other illnesses, such as parvovirus infections, can trigger severe anemia in puppies. Anemia of any cause is a risk for puppies if not treated. Affected puppies often suffer from soft gums and are often cold, tired, and sluggish.
Severe dehydration (hypovolemia). Another blood component that is vital for transporting oxygen is the volume. A significant portion of the blood is made up of water. If the puppy becomes dehydrated, there’s insufficient blood to circulate red blood cells and disperse oxygen effectively.
Puppy can quickly become dehydrated because of heat, illness, and too much playing. A puppy suffering from vomiting and diarrhea may become dry in a matter of a couple of days. Make sure that your puppy can access clean drinking water. Never keep moisture away from puppies. They require three to four times the amount of water that dogs of adulthood need. Anyone who has vomiting or diarrhea should visit the veterinarian immediately.
Diaphragmatic hernia. Another congenital abnormality puppies can be born with is a diaphragmatic hernia called a peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH). It occurs when the diaphragm, the organ that separates abdominal organs from the lung, doesn’t develop properly. Organs in the abdomen, such as the small intestine and the liver, may slide through the gap in the diaphragm. They can also cause compression of the lungs in affected puppies. This causes rapid breathing that is not resolved in time. The condition could be life-threatening.
Puppy Breathing Speed Is it average?
Most of the time, a puppy breathing rapidly during sleep is typical and not something to be concerned about. This is especially true when the breathing speed is only for several minutes and is not frequent. Likely, they have just finished an excellent play session before taking an afternoon nap, or perhaps they’re experiencing the vivid dream of a puppy.
However, certain instances, as mentioned above, are alarming and require a visit to the vet. If your puppy’s rapid breathing can’t be resolved or you notice other troublesome symptoms, consult your veterinarian.
What To Do If Your Puppy Is Breathing Fast During Sleep
If you observe your dog breathing quickly while asleep, reacting immediately is unnecessary. First, ensure that you are sleeping, not lying on your back,s and then take note of the number of times they take a breath over 60 minutes. If the number exceeds 40, you should continue to watch their breathing rate to see how much it has slowed down after a few minutes. The breathing rate is likely to slow if your puppy was playing or was nervous before they took their snooze. It would help if you also looked for other indicators indicating that they’re sleeping, such as twitching and making small sounds.
Suppose the breathing rate remains elevated even after having been asleep for a few minutes, and you do not detect any other indications of sleeping. In that case, it may suggest something more serious is happening below the surface. At this moment, it’s a good idea to ensure they’re not too hot, mainly if it’s warm in their sleeping area, and also ensure they have access to drinking water. Make sure to check their gums to be sure that they’re clean and pink.
If you notice your gums are pale or other indications of illness like weakening, lethargy, decreased appetite or diarrhea, vomiting, a bloated stomach, fleas, and limping. Your puppy needs to be examined by a veterinarian as quickly as possible. It is recommended to schedule an appointment with a vet at most, as diseases and illnesses can develop rapidly in puppies. So please bring them to an emergency clinic when needed.
In conclusion, when you next notice your dog’s breathing speed increase while asleep, remember that it’s likely not something to worry about, mainly when they don’t show any other symptoms of the disease. Make sure your dog gets an inspection, and make sure to contact a vet when you spot something unusual to be sure. The faster an issue can be discovered, the simpler it is to address and the better chances your dog will be to recover fully.
