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Breathing Problems

Dog or cat breathing heavy? Get help now.

Heavy or labored breathing at rest can mean heat stroke, heart disease, fluid in the chest, asthma, pneumonia, or pain, and some of these are emergencies. Encino Pet Hospital & Emergency sees dogs and cats with breathing problems same day. If your pet is struggling to breathe, call (818) 922-2209 and come in right away.

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Care for breathing trouble
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Breathing signs that mean go now.

Panting after a walk on a warm day is normal. Breathing hard while resting is not. Come in immediately if you notice:

  • ✓Open-mouth breathing in a cat, which is always an emergency
  • ✓Blue, gray, purple, or very pale gums or tongue
  • ✓Belly heaving with each breath, neck stretched out, or elbows held wide
  • ✓Fast breathing while your pet is asleep or resting quietly
  • ✓Noisy, raspy, or high-pitched breathing, or choking
  • ✓Heavy panting, drooling, or collapse after time in the heat or a hot car
  • ✓Coughing with weakness, fainting, or a swollen belly
  • ✓Any breathing trouble after a fall or being hit by a car

Heat stroke is a real risk in Southern California summers, especially for flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs. Move an overheated pet out of the heat and into air conditioning, and drive straight to us. Keep your pet calm and avoid pressure on the neck. Our emergency and urgent care page explains what to expect.

After 7:30 PM, a pet struggling to breathe should go directly to the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital.

Common Causes

Why pets breathe heavy or struggle for air.

Breathing trouble can start in the airways, the lungs, or the chest, or somewhere else entirely, such as the heart or the blood.

  • ✓Heart disease and congestive heart failure, which can cause fluid in or around the lungs
  • ✓Feline asthma, which may look like coughing or a cat crouched low with its neck extended
  • ✓Pneumonia and other lung infections
  • ✓Upper airway problems, such as brachycephalic airway syndrome, laryngeal paralysis, or a collapsing trachea in small dogs
  • ✓Heat stroke
  • ✓Anemia, which leaves less oxygen in the blood
  • ✓Pain, fever, or anxiety
  • ✓Trauma, including bleeding or air in the chest
  • ✓Tumors in the chest or lungs, more common in older pets

If your older dog or cat has a known heart murmur, faster breathing at rest can be an early warning sign. Our senior care team can help you keep track.

At Your Visit

What happens when you come in.

Pets in respiratory distress are fragile, so our first step is to stabilize, not stress. That may mean oxygen and a quiet space first.

We listen carefully to the heart and lungs and check gum color and temperature. Chest X-rays show the lungs, heart size, and any fluid, and ultrasound, including an echocardiogram of the heart, shows how well the heart is working. A board-certified veterinary radiologist reads our X-ray and ultrasound studies. Bloodwork checks for infection, anemia, and organ function.

For nasal and upper airway problems, a CT scan gives a detailed three-dimensional view, and our team can arrange a look inside the airway with endoscopy when needed.

Treatment depends on the cause and may include oxygen, medication to clear fluid or open the airways, cooling for heat stroke, or antibiotics. Pets who need oxygen, IV fluids, and close monitoring may stay with us through pet hospitalization. We welcome pets from across the Valley, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, and Ventura, and families coming from Ventura can call from the road so we are ready.

Common Questions

Breathing problems FAQ.

Why is my dog breathing heavy while resting?
Heavy breathing at rest can be caused by pain, fever, heat, heart disease, lung problems, or anemia. Unlike panting after exercise, it does not settle after a few minutes. If your dog is breathing hard while lying still, call us for a same-day visit, and come in immediately if the gums look pale, blue, or gray.
Is it normal for a cat to breathe with its mouth open?
No. Open-mouth breathing in a cat is an emergency unless it is very brief after intense play. It can signal asthma, heart failure, or fluid in the chest. Bring your cat in right away, or go to the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital after hours.
What does labored breathing look like in a dog?
A dog with labored breathing may breathe with obvious belly effort, stand with elbows out and neck stretched, flare the nostrils, or make noise with each breath. These signs mean your dog should be seen now.
Can heat stroke cause heavy breathing?
Yes. Heavy panting, thick drool, bright red or pale gums, weakness, and vomiting after heat exposure can be heat stroke, which is life-threatening. Move your pet somewhere cool and come in immediately.
How do you find the cause of breathing problems?
We start with an exam and stabilization, then use chest X-rays, bloodwork, and often an ultrasound or echocardiogram. Some pets need a CT scan or endoscopy for a closer look.

Is your pet struggling to breathe?

Call (818) 922-2209 and come straight in, we are open every day from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

Book a visit(818) 922-2209