Q. My 12-year-old golden retriever tends to pant on a regular basis. All of his bloodwork and a chest X-ray have come back normal. I take him for multiple short walks daily.
Dogs can’t sweat through their skin, so instead they pant to keep themselves cool during warm weather or during exercise. Panting is an early sign of heat stress in dogs — an indication that you should limit your dog’s activity and seek shade or air conditioning. But it can also be a sign of a problem such as respiratory disease, pain, or a common endocrine problem of older dogs called Cushing’s syndrome. (Cats also pant in response to heat stress, but — unlike dogs — they seem to be sensible enough to limit their activity and seek shade and shelter during warm weather.)
Why do dogs pant?
Panting causes air to flow rapidly over the tongue, allowing body heat to be transferred from the blood to the air. When the weather is warm, panting is a sign that you should move your dog to a cool, low-stress environment. Healthy dogs should never be left in a car when outside temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, even if they’re in shade or the windows are cracked; temperatures can rise to over 110 degrees within 30 minutes, with fatal consequences.
When dogs can’t pant effectively, they may rapidly overheat, which can be life-threatening. Dogs that have a limited ability to control their body temperature — such as those with respiratory diseases, obese dogs and puppies — should never be left unattended in a vehicle, regardless of outside air temperature. Dogs with genetic upper airway disorders (such as flat-faced dogs like pugs and French and English bulldogs) are particularly prone to overheating, as are dogs with age-related airway problems. Overheated dogs should be taken as quickly as possible to an emergency clinic for treatment.
Could it be a medical problem?
If your dog is panting regardless of the weather, it might have a medical problem. Common medical reasons for panting include:
Respiratory disease. In medium-size to large dogs, Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy (GOLPP) is a common age-related problem that can cause panting. Dogs with GOLPP gradually develop dysfunction of nerves that control movement in their back legs, larynx and esophagus. Signs include panting, a hoarse bark, scuffing or dragging their toes along the ground, and sometimes regurgitation or swallowing problems.
Small dogs such as Yorkshire terriers, toy poodles and Pomeranians are susceptible to collapsing airway disease, an age-related condition that triggers panting because of a progressive collapse (or softening) of their airways. This typically gets worse over time and is often accompanied by a harsh goose-honking cough triggered by excitement or exercise.
In contrast, dogs with pneumonia or other diseases related to their lungs or the space surrounding them breathe more rapidly, but they typically do it with their mouth closed.
Anxiety and pain. I see many dogs that pant simply because they’re anxious. Anxiety causes the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, which can lead to tremors and increased muscle activity and heart rate. These things can raise your dog’s body temperature and lead to panting.
Pain is also a trigger. Older dogs with arthritis often pant, and dogs with abdominal, chest or spinal pain may pant because normal breathing hurts.
Endocrine disease. Most dogs with the endocrine disease Cushing’s syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism or hypercortisolism) have a small tumor in the pituitary gland at the base of their brain that produces an excess of a hormone called ACTH. The ACTH enters the blood and tells the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, which in turn causes signs that include panting. As the tumor gradually enlarges (typically over a period of months to a year), the signs, which also include hunger, hair loss, and increased thirst and urination, worsen. Cushing’s syndrome also leads to progressive enlargement of the liver and redistribution of body fat to the abdomen, which puts pressure on the diaphragm and contributes to breathing problems.
In other dogs, an adrenal gland tumor is responsible for the excess cortisol. These tumors can grow rapidly, invade surrounding blood vessels, and may even metastasize to other organs such as the liver.
Regardless of where the tumor is, Cushing’s syndrome can be treated with medications that stop the adrenal glands from producing too much cortisol. In some cases, surgery is required to remove an adrenal tumor, or radiation therapy is needed to shrink a growing pituitary tumor.
Side effects of medications. A variety of medications, particularly steroids (even those applied topically to the skin or ears over a long period of time), opioids for pain, and thyroid medication, can cause dogs to pant. Depending on the underlying problem, your vet might recommend reducing the dose or suggest an alternative treatment.
What should I do if my dog is panting more than usual?
If your dog is panting more and it can’t be explained by warmer temperatures or increased activity, it’s best to see your vet, noting other signs that your dog is showing (like increased thirst, accidents in the house, coughing, lameness). Bring all your dog’s medications and supplements, including topicals, and avoid feeding your dog on the day of the appointment (in case it needs to be sedated for X-rays or an ultrasound). If possible, bring a video of your dog panting, which could help your vet figure out the underlying problem. Take your dog to the vet in an air-conditioned car and try to minimize situations that trigger stress or anxiety. If your dog’s panting is accompanied by episodes of collapse, pale or blue-tinged gums, inability to walk, vomiting, or not eating, take it to an emergency clinic immediately.
Finally, as we head into summer, it’s best to walk your dog early or in the evening, when the sun is low in the sky and outside temperatures are cooler. Or take a page out of a cat’s book and leave your dog at home to relax indoors next to the air conditioner.
Jane Sykes is a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of California at Davis. She is a board-certified specialist in small animal (dog and cat) internal medicine with a special interest in infectious diseases. She is the proud owner of two Labrador retrievers (Bodhi and Lucille) and an orange tabby cat (Freckles).
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