Hi all. I have noticed recently that when i have wat hed my assistance dog in the late evening while he is resting he is scarily steadily as for breathing. Is that a lab thing? He has his eyes opens at that stage though, but then through the night when actually sleeping he will snore loudly; but unsure of breathing motion as im settled too. Am visiting vets next week so thought id ask them but just noticed it and was bit concerned as its likes hes holding breath so long. If i call him its like someone has turned out the lights for most the night. Thanks for any advice
Do you mean you are worried that he’s not taking breaths often enough? Generally a lower breathing rate while resting is totally normal. A fast breathing rate while resting would not be normal. Just have a chat with your vet about what to expect from a dog his size, in terms of breathing rate and heart rate while resting. And before you go to the vet count how many breaths he takes per minute while totally relaxed and resting. Do this a few times on different days to get an average. Then you can chat about this with the Vet. You can tell us too and we can do the same with our dogs to get an idea of what to expect from a Labrador I’d do it now with my dog except I’m sitting in the cinema about to watch the Star Wars movie.
Tjanks for reply, enjoy your movie. We saw a movie recently and there were yetis and star troopers abouts. Is there at your cinema? Thanks i will count his breathing and record so can discuss with vet. You mean just watch how much his chest rises ands falls not feelling his heart rate during right?
Yeah, just watch his chest rise and fall. I only mention heart rate too because it’s good to have an idea of what’s normal for your dog. Then you have something to compare it to if you’re ever worried that something isn’t right. Get the vet to show you how to check his gums and skin for dehydration too. If you have a baseline for breathing, heart rate, capillary refill time (that’s the gum thing which is a dehydration check) and temperature then that’s a good ‘vital signs’ checklist.
Sounds quite normal to me. I have found they don't breathe as quickly as us when they are resting. Harley snores too but is breathing normally. Good advice from Rachael above to take to your vets.
Thanks, I know how to check all those as the charity who done the training for the assistance dog showed me, but didn’t show me the part of counting the heart rate and breathing rate.
