Difficulty Breathing

Your Trusted Braselton Veterinarian

At Animal Emergency Care of Braselton, our team of veterinarians and veterinary staff is dedicated to providing the best in animal care. We’re the after-hours emergency clinic you can turn to when your pet needs medical assistance and your regular vet’s office is closed. One of the most common pet emergencies we see in our office is that of a pet having difficulty breathing. By understanding what to look for and what steps to take, you could just save an animal’s life.

Difficulty Breathing in Pets: What You Need to Know

When a pet has difficulty breathing, it is referred to as dyspnea. This occurs when a pet has shortness of breath. It is important to understand that this is not the same thing as shortness of breath, which is common when a dog comes back in from playing outside or when a cat has just completed a rambunctious lap around the house.
When a pet has difficulty breathing, the situation can become dangerous or even deadly very quickly. There are many reasons as to why a pet may have trouble breathing, ranging from obstructions in the airways to pneumonia, bronchitis, and even asthma.

When to Seek Emergency Care for Your Pet

As a pet owner, you can generally tell when something is wrong with your pet and when it may be time to seek veterinary care. But how can you know when your pet needs immediate emergency care? Typically, if your pet’s difficulty breathing is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it’s time to head to an emergency vet as soon as possible:

• incessant coughing or wheezing
• a blue-ish color in the gums
• a foamy or frothy mouth

Often times, cats experiencing difficulty breathing will go into “survival mode” by hiding, which can make it difficult to get your cat the emergency care that is so desperately needed. Dogs, on the other hand, may appear anxious or restless. Many owners report their dogs pacing the room while wheezing or coughing.

Contact Your After Hours Animal Clinic

If your pet is experiencing difficulty breathing, seek care from our after hours animal clinic at Animal Emergency Care of Braselton. We’re open weeknights and 24 hours Saturday and Sunday. You can find out more by calling our office at (470) 209-7222. We also offer a new client special, so ask about it when you arrive.
Have you ever experienced a medical emergency with your pet?