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I have a 12 year old female Yellow Lab who pants constantly. We have an air conditioned home so ambient temperature should'nt be a problem. She pants even at rest. She is well cared for, not over-weight or under any stress. Our vet has proscribed a pill for her breathing which we give her daily. It has not helped at all. She does not pant during sleep. What could be the problem and what do I do to help her?
HiCustomer Many different things can cause constant panting. Heavy panting can be caused by heart problems, lung problems, fever, or bronchitis. You can read about this here: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/panting-in-dogs/page1.aspx Dogs pant for various reasons. They pant to cool down, but they also pant when they are under stress, in pain, or afraid. There can also be medical causes such as neurological problems, respiratory disorders, and Heart problems such as heartworm, anemia, and fever. If your dog is panting but has no other symptoms, keep a watch on him. If it still seems excessive after a day or so, or if he develops more symptoms, I'd schedule an appointment with your Vet. At 12 years of age, your dog is quite elderly and probably needs a full workup to determine the actual cause. Given her age, your vet may be just trying to make her comfortable for her remaining time. I hope this information is helpful to you.
Experience: Former vol Vet Assistant.Breeder 16+ years Dog trainer / behaviorist