My dog's shallow breathing after heartworm treatment: should I worry?

Question

So my dog - intact 25 lb female, lab/staffy mix, 2 years old - is undergoing treatment for heartworms. She recently got the last two shots of immiticide about a week and a half ago. Lately I have noticed her breathing is rather shallow, about 30 bpm. At night she stretches way out to breathe and seems to be breathing with her abdomen more. No cough, no lethargy, no blood coming up. Some mild anxiety in the form of licking her chops. Gums look normal. Should I be concerned? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | unspayed | 25 lbs

Sara Farmer, DVM · Accepted Answer

Any change in breathing warrants a trip to the vet for a recheck. While it’s possible that there’s nothing wrong, you could also be noticing the beginning of a complication of heartworm treatment. Pulmonary thromboembolism can occur when dying worms become lodged in the small blood vessels of the lungs. Your vet might want to take a chest x-ray.

My dog's shallow breathing after heartworm treatment: should I worry?

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