Panting and Trembling in Dogs: Causes and Treatment

Written and verified by the biologist Paloma de los Milagros

Last update: 22 December, 2022

Panting and trembling in dogs can range from natural responses of the body to prolonged exertion, to indicators of underlying pathology. Observing the animal’s mood and the frequency of these or other symptoms can clarify the diagnosis.

Certain situations, such as excessive heat, intense exercise, old age, or excess weight can favor these basic signs of exhaustion. Panting contributes to body cooling, as does agitation, also present in times of excitement. However, tremors or trembling in dogs, perceived as small, uncoordinated movements, may indicate a larger physiological disorder.

Owners may suspect a sign of illness when both symptoms are present simultaneously. However, not all reasons leading to their onset need be difficult to address.

Respiratory rate, trembling in dogs, and canine health

A dog’s normal respiratory rate is between 16 and 18 cycles per minute, slightly more for puppies (20) and less for older dogs (14). This rate may rise considerably when the canine is exercising or excited during an activity, but this isn’t normal during rest.

The canine is considered to have tachypnea (rapid breathing) when its respiratory rate is higher than expected at various times of the day when it isn’t warranted, or if this occurs constantly. This is also often accompanied by dyspnea, i.e. difficulty in obtaining oxygen (manifested by rales, strange sounds, and mucus, for example).

You should measure your dog’s respiratory rate per minute several times and average it before suspecting tachypnea. The rapid breathing should remain more or less constant.

On the other hand, tremors are muscle movements typical of times of agitation. They also occur when it’s very cold, as this is one of the primordial mechanisms of thermogenesis (obtaining body heat) in mammals. In general, dogs tremble when they’re afraid, excited or suffering from an illness.

Diseases associated with panting and trembling in dogs

Among the most frequent conditions that lead to the combined appearance of these signs, we highlight the following. Don’t miss them.

Heat strokes

Heat strokes usually occur in summer, after exertion, and are accompanied by increased heart rate and ocular moisture build-up. Dogs with a less athletic build such as bulldogs, small breeds or those with a lot of hair are more prone to suffer from them. It’s also a common event in brachiocephalic dogs.

Brachiocephalic dogs, such as pugs, have very short airways and don’t pant efficiently. As a result, they dissipate excess heat poorly.

Heat stroke should be treated with cool baths, water or ice and, in severe cases, a veterinarian should be consulted. If action isn’t taken promptly, the dog could die from multi-organ failure. Avoid subjecting your dog to intense exercise during the hottest hours of the summer, especially if they’re obese or already sick.

Infections or intoxications

Whether it’s due to having eaten something bad, a food allergy or a possible infection, the presence of fever will be a potential symptom. This tends to be accompanied by trembling in dogs in the most severe peaks, something that can be explained by the thermal dysregulation of the animal. In such a situation, it’s advisable to see a specialist as soon as possible.

These physiological imbalances are also often accompanied by accelerated (or decreased) breathing, lethargy, apathy, lack of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting and other general symptoms. If your dog has a body temperature above 39-40°C (102 to 104 Fahrenheit), it’s time to worry.

Heart disease and respiratory problems

Both types of disorders can occur in isolation or in combination, even with other problems such as obesity. Bronchitis can lead to wheezing and the shortage of oxygen can lead to muscle fatigue. An enlarged heart can put pressure on the lungs, altering gas exchange. Your veterinarian will be the only one able to address them.

Some of the most common conditions of this nature are as follows:

1. Dilated cardiomyopathy: In this condition, the cardiac musculature dilates and atrophies, so the heart can’t pump blood properly. It’s an incurable disease, but can be managed with certain medications.
2. Mitral valve regurgitation: The mitral valve of the heart doesn’t close properly, resulting in blood return to the heart and inadequate fluid mixing.
3. Pneumonia: This is an inflammation of the pulmonary system that can be caused by different viruses, bacteria and fungi. The treatment to be applied will depend entirely on the causal agent.
4. Bronchitis: This is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry oxygen to your lungs. It’s very common in small breeds and can cause permanent damage if not addressed promptly.

Altered blood glucose levels

Both diabetic dogs and certain breeds, most notably the Italian Greyhound or Chihuahua, can suffer from what are commonly called ‘sugar lows’. Providing some easily digestible fruit and keeping the animal’s body warm will help its recovery. If the canine doesn’t improve, a veterinarian should be consulted, and even more so in cases of diabetes.

Other reasons leading to trembling in dogs

Other reasons, of apparently lesser severity, responsible for shortness of breath and trembling in dogs, are:

• Stress, usually associated with fear or anxiety of a particular stimulus, such as the presence of strangers. The easiest option is to avoid the stimulus that causes the discomfort, but the ideal thing is that they get used to it. In addition, eliminating certain situations is unfeasible, as is the case of storms, hence the importance of helping them to get used to them with professional help if necessary.

• Pain. An injury or chronic pain can alter the animal’s body mobility. The most difficult situations to treat, and those that normally lead to incoordination in the dog, are those that occur internally. These can be accompanied by an atypical appearance of the gums, such as pallor, and because of the complexity involved, a veterinarian should be consulted for further diagnosis.

Shortness of breath and trembling in dogs can be caused by many different factors. Physical exhaustion, fear, obesity and old age are the most obvious, but, in other circumstances, the veterinarian will be the only one capable of treating them, with the appropriate prior diagnosis.