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Why is my dog breathing fast, heart racing, bloating, drinking a lot?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | 11 years and 1 month old | 8.82 lbs

My dog seen the vet today and came home. She's been breathing fast and fast heart rate since yesterday. Hb is 140 when sleeping. Usual is 60-80 n breathing 20. Her gums go from red to bright pink. Poops and pees tho she seems constipated. She's been bloating lately too. She'll stay that way for hours. Been to 2 docs and they sent her home saying she felt normal and was stable. She's also whines for water and drinks a lot! Hasn't vomited. Doesn't have diarrhea. Temp was normal.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 20th, 2017

Oh my. Poor girl! These symptoms are suggestive of a possible adrenal gland problem. Increased drinking, stomach bloating, tachycardia (increased heart rate) as well as tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) are common signs of Cushing disease, Pheochromocytoma and heart disease. I would highly recommend seeking yet another vets opinion about Twinklesa and get some actual tests ran on her. She needs baseline bloodwork (CBC, biochemistry) and radiographs of her abdomen and chest in order to diagnose her underlying condition. The results of those tests should be able to point the vet in the right direction towards her treatment. If she has already had those tests done and the vets are still unable to come up with a diagnosis, then I would recommend considering a referral to an internal specialists. Your vet should be able to send the referral through and get Twinkles seen within a weeks time. I hope you get to the bottom of what is causing Twinkles symptoms and can get her the proper treatment soon. Best of luck!

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