Why Does My Dog Pant When It's Not Hot Outside?
Because dogs don’t sweat to any significant degree, they must rely on panting to dissipate excess body heat. Given this summer’s temperatures, there’s a whole lot of panting going on!
But did you know there are several reasons dogs pant even when they’re nice and cool?
Anxiety, stress, and fear: Panting is common in anxious, stressed, or fearful dogs. Other accompanying behaviors can include pacing, yawning, whining, tucked tail, hiding, clingy behavior, flattened ears, drooling, lip licking, dilated pupils, trembling, food refusal, and even loss of bladder or bowel control.
Pain: Dogs who are in discomfort or pain often pant before other pain-related symptoms arise, such as whining, limping, or reluctance to move.
Heart failure: When the heart is not doing an adequate job of pumping blood around the body, tissues become deprived of oxygen. An increased respiratory rate and panting help compensate for this.
Lung disease: Inhaled oxygen is transferred from the lungs into the bloodstream. Diseases that interfere with this cause oxygen deprivation. Just as with heart failure, the dog’s natural response is to breathe faster and harder.
Anemia: Anemia is a decrease in the normal number of red blood cells. Since these cells transport oxygen throughout the body, it makes sense that moderate or severe anemia results in oxygen deprivation and panting.
Laryngeal paralysis (LP): The larynx is the opening to the windpipe (trachea). It contains cartilage flaps that operate like saloon doors. They open wide during inhalation and close shut during swallowing. (This prevents food from being inhaled into the windpipe.) In dogs with LP, one or both of the laryngeal cartilages fail to open normally, creating turbulent, restricted airflow. Panting caused by LP is typically louder and harsher sounding than normal. Although this condition can occur in any breed, Labrador retrievers are particularly predisposed.
Cushing’s disease: Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is a hormonal imbalance that occurs primarily in middle-aged and older dogs. It’s caused by the overproduction of cortisone by one or both adrenal glands. An early, common symptom of this disease is excess panting.
Cortisone (steroid) therapy: Treatment with prednisone, prednisolone, or other forms of cortisone mimics Cushing’s disease. Many dogs who receive steroids pant excessively.
Abnormal panting deserves attention!
When you observe excess or inappropriate panting in your dog, I encourage you to consult with your veterinarian, even if everything else about your dog appears to be perfectly normal. The sooner the cause of the abnormal panting is discovered, the greater the likelihood of a good outcome.
Does your dog experience abnormal panting? If so, do you know the cause?
Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,
Dr. Nancy
Funny dogs may be doing pant-omime.