Why is my dog excessively panting?

Question

I have a 15 year old Samoyed. Two days ago, he started panting constantly. This is a fast, hard pant like if he had gone on a long walk. He's also coughing occasionally. Don't bother responding if you think he's just hot -- it's only in the upper 60s here. I'm worried that his heart is failing or something.

Answer 1

I'd be calling my vet and having the dog seen.  I suggest you do the same.  

No one here can tell you whats wrong because none of us are vets.  

Call your vet and have the old boy checked out!

Answer 2

Considering the age of the dog, It's been my experience that he is probably developing some fluid around his heart (congestive heart failure) Fast breating without exertion, panting, coughing, fluid (swelling) build up. Old age eventually gets all of us, including dogs. I suggest you get the dog evaluated by a vet. They can give it fluid pills (If that's what it is) to ease the dog's discomfort.

Having raised so many dogs over the last 50 years, and having faced this many times, I suggest you start preparing emotionally for the inevidible......Of course, he could live several more years. Just take good, loving care of him.

Answer 3

He may have something wrong with his lungs, such as pnuemonia or a chest infection. I would visit the vet for a prescription for antibiotics.

Best of luck

Answer 4

Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Its the best thing you can do for him now.

Answer 5

I agree with the others.  Since it's not heat-related, there's something else going on and you need to get this poor old guy to the vet.  Good luck!  

Answer 6

your first instinct is correct take him to the vet if he is panting with a cough it could be a heart problem or he could have fluid building up in his chest. With an older dog there is always a chance of heart problems have him checked there are medications they can use for heart issues and if it is fluid build up they have pill which can get the fluid out.

Answer 7

It definatey sounds like a heart or lung problem.

My original thought was heartworm.  Dogs can get it even if they are on preventative.  It would not be practical to treat a 15 year old dog though as the treatment is very hard on them.  This would be tested via a simple blood test (under $30).

It could be congestive heart failure (CHF).  You would need an x-ray to diagnose this.

It also could be something in the lungs like fluid or possibly pneumonia.

I would definately recommend visitng your vet if possible.  Sometimes a good round of antibiotics or else there is heart medicine that can help with CHF.

I wish you the best...

Answer 8

Constant panting is a sign that there could be something seriously wrong, also with the coughing it makes it more serious.

It could just be that something is stuck in his throat but can also be a sign of respiratory disease, heart disease, pain, stress, fever, shock, lots of possible causes, but with his age l would get him to the vets sooner rather than later.  

Answer 9

Panting can be a sign of pain or discomfort, particularly hard, fast panting.   Heart disease could certainly cause pain and discomfort as well as the coughing.  Stress can also cause increased panting, although if it were simply stress I would not expect it to last two days.  Really the only way to know what is wrong is to go see your vet.  If it is pain then there are several pain relief options.  If it is heart disease, then the vet will need to work up his heart to find out what the problem is and figure out the best course of treatment.  Heart disease is progressive, but depending on what exactly is going on there are several treatment options to improve a dog's quality of life and comfort for the time that he has left.