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Dog Panting After Giving Birth | My Dog Is Panting After Giving Birth

Filed under: Dog Health — Tags: , — Nik @ 3:34 am

Dog Panting After Giving Birth

A dog panting after giving birth should not give you any cause for alarm. This seemingly excessive dog panting may last for a few weeks. This contraction of the uterus stimulates lactation. Keep in mind that panting is common behavior in dogs. All dogs pant. Panting is when a dog’s tongue protrudes out of the mouth and it breathes rapidly. Dogs do this to bring their body temperature down. Unlike human beings, dogs do not sweat. They pant. Dog panting after giving birth is normal due to the contraction of the uterus. There is a purpose behind the rapid breathing that accompanies a pant. More air enters the mucous membranes of the dog’s mouth and his respiratory tract when he pants. This results in a lowering of the body temperature. If however, you notice excessive dog panting and your dog has not been engaged in any physical activity or exposed to heat and so on, it is necessary to take him to a vet. There are many reasons that lead to excessive panting in dogs.

Some possible reasons for a dog panting excessively after giving birth could include:

  • Hematologic problems: Your dog might be panting excessively either due to anemia or carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Heat problems: Hyperthermia or heat stroke might cause excessive panting as well. Dark red gums on a dog are a symptom of hyperthermia as is a high rectal temperature.
  • Heart problems: Heartworm, congestive heart failure, heart murmurs and Cardiomyopathy could lead to excessive panting. Coughing spells, difficulties in breathing and lethargy could be signs that your dog has a serious medical problem.
  • Respiratory problems: Your dog’s nasal passage could be blocked due to upper respiratory infections and this will make the dog breathe in more oxygen. A lower respiratory tract infection or a collapsed trachea will also make your dog pant more than usual. Growths in the nose or back of the throat may also lead to excessive panting.
  • Pain: If your dog is in pain, chances are he will pant even more.
  • Fever: This is yet another cause for excessive dog panting.
  • Bleeding problems: Internal bleeding is another reason. Check to see if your dog’s gums are pale.
  • Hormonal problems: Another reason behind the excessive panting is hypothyroidism. Your vet will be the best person to determine if this is the reason.
  • Neurologic Disorders: The respiratory center could be affected if your dog suffers from any neurologic disorders. These include brain tumors, head injury/trauma or even some abnormalities in the respiratory tract.

If your dog is panting and you are unaware of the cause, do take him to the vet so that proper treatment can be started immediately.