Respiratory Problems

When your pet is struggling for breath, you may find yourself equally breathless with fear. Animals can fall prey to a number of respiratory emergencies, from overheating-related breathing problems to life-threatening allergic reactions. In such situations, you don’t have time to wonder what you should or whom you should turn to help. That’s why our team at Urgent Pet Care wants you to know that your pet can receive that much-needed treatment right here from your emergency veterinarian in Omaha NE.

It’s neither uncommon nor particularly alarming to see your dog panting since this action is routine methods for helping animals cool themselves on hot days. Excessive panting, however, can be a sign of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. This is especially true for brachycephalic (flat-muzzled) breeds such as French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers since the shorter airway offers less opportunity for incoming air to cool the body. but your pet may suffer breathing difficulties for a variety of other reasons as well, including:
  • Asthma – Pets can struggle with asthma just as humans can, resulting in labored or noisy breathing (dyspnea) and wheezing.
  • Heart problems – Heart disease or parasitic infestations such as heartworm can make breathing more difficult.
  • Lung disease – An infected, cancerous or otherwise diseased lung may operate at lowered capacity, making your pet struggle for breath.
  • Blockages – A tumor, infection, or foreign object can cause blockages in the nose or throat that impair breathing. A total blockage can cause choking.
  • Allergic reactions – Anaphylaxis (an extreme allergic reaction) can cause excess mucus to build up rapidly in your pet’s respiratory tract, resulting in rapid, shallow breathing (tachypnea).
  • Foreign substances – Smoke inhalation or ingestion of a poisonous substance can cause panting, wheezing and other symptoms.

In addition to obvious breathing problems, a pet suffering from a respiratory emergency can also appear disoriented due to oxygen deprivation. Reddened gums are another sign that oxygen isn’t getting to the lungs. Bring your pet to Urgent Pet Care immediately so we can determine the underlying cause of the problem as quickly and accurately as possible. Your emergency veterinarian in Omaha NE can administer oxygen right away while also listening to our pet’s lungs and performing diagnostic imaging to look for suspected blockages, lung infections or heart problems. Medications can be prescribed to arrest allergic reactions, fight infections, deactivate poisons, or cool down a critically overheated animal. We can even perform emergency surgery to remove a tumor, acute injury or foreign obstruction.

You can’t afford to take chances when your pet might be a few labored breaths away from disaster — so go with the emergency and urgent pet care Omaha pet owners trust. Rush your pet to either of our offices without delay!