Why is my senior Cavalier breathing heavily and gasping for air?

Question

Simon is a King Charles Spaniel who's 12 yrs young. He'll be sleeping & then wake up quickly, breathing heavily, like he can't catch his breath but then calms downs, though still breathing a little rapidly. It happens when he sleeps/naps but also when he get excited like at meal time or I come home. He has be known to snore when he sleeps sometimes. I'm worried for him. Any suggestions at to what this could be? Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Male | neutered | 20 lbs

Laura Johnson VMD · Accepted Answer

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Since he is a Cavalier I worry about heart disease. Unfortunately heart murmurs and heart failure are genetic in this breed and almost all Cavaliers develop murmurs. Since his breathing has changed even when he is awake I would have him examined by your Vet and have chest X-rays done. If a heart murmur is heard I would definitely take X-rays. If the X-rays show heart enlargement I would start him on medications and have an echocardiogram done by a Veterinary cardiologist. I wish you and Simon the very best!

Why is my senior Cavalier breathing heavily and gasping for air?

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