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What to do if your dog is breathing fast? Is it an emergency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My Dog is breathing really fast and his a King Charles Cavalier. What should we do?

1 Answer

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Answered By Laura E. McRae

Veterinary Technician

Published on February 23rd, 2015

I recommend that you have your dog examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. A dog at rest takes about 10 to 30 breaths per minutes. Breathing at a faster rate may indicate fever, pain, anxiety, or a problem with the lungs or chest. Rapid, labored breathing is indicative of congestive heart failure and/or lung disease, shock, heat stroke, dehydration, and ketoacidosis associated with diabetes, kidney failure, and some tyes of poisonings.

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