You have come to the right place if you are wondering why your Bernedoodle pants so much.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about panting in dogs, including the causes of abnormal panting. Keep reading to learn more.
Panting is one of the canine behaviors we have all learned to expect, like wagging their tails.
It is natural for all dogs and happens for various reasons, such as cooling themselves and relieving anxiety. It can also happen when a dog is excited.
While panting is normal for dogs, watching your Bernedoodle continuously pant can be very worrying.
Excessive panting may indicate that your furry friend is experiencing an allergic response or difficulty breathing.
Normal Panting In Bernedoodles
All dogs have sweat glands in their ears and on the bottoms of their paws. This means sweating does not play a bigger role in cooling down their bodies like human beings.
Instead, panting is what dogs do to cool down.
The sudden intake of breath during panting causes moisture in your furry friend’s respiratory tract to evaporate.
This cools them down and helps their bodies better maintain a normal temperature.
Since the purpose of panting in dogs is to help regulate their body temperature, it is considered a normal and essential body function.
Without panting, your Bernedoodle can easily overheat and have no way of controlling it.
Examples of when it is completely normal for a dog to start panting include:
- When it is hot outside
- When your dog is excited about something
- During and directly after playing or exercising
Abnormal Panting In Bernedoodles
It can be difficult to tell the difference between normal and abnormal panting in dogs, especially if you are a new dog owner.
The easiest way to tell the difference between normal and abnormal panting is to spend much time with your furry friend.
Abnormal panting is described as panting that is heavier than normal. However, it is important to note that normal panting varies from one dog to another.
For instance, dog breeds like Shih Tzus and Pugs have shortened nasal passages that can resist airflow and cause panting.
Besides, breathing can be more difficult in fat dogs because they tend to have neck fat pressing against their airways.
This can make breathing more difficult. Therefore, observing your Bernedoodle during regular exercise is important to establish its average panting level.
In addition to the energy involved during panting, situational context can help you determine whether or not your Bernedoodle’s panting is normal.
Your dog should not be panting if it spent the last few hours relaxing in the backyard. Panting for no reason could be a sign that something is not right.
Here are a few things that indicate abnormal panting in dogs.
- When it is not
- The dog is at rest
- The panting sounds wheezy or raspy
- The dog seems unresponsive or lethargic
- Your dog’s gums are purple, blue, or white
- When the panting is considered intense
You should see your vet immediately if your furry friend is panting abnormally.
Reasons For Abnormal Panting In Bernedoodles
Here are a few reasons why your Bernedoodle could be panting abnormally.
Stress
While many Bernedoodle owners perceive panting as a way for their dogs to cool down, it could sometimes be a way for your furry friend to communicate stress and anxiety.
It could mean your furry friend is afraid, anxious about something, or unhappy with what is happening around them.
A variety of things can cause your Bernedoodle’s anxiety and stress. It may result from boredom, lack of exercise, and being left alone for many hours.
Changing your daily routine can also cause anxiety and stress in your dog.
To help your Bernedoodle, you should first find out what is causing them to be stressed.
Once you find out, you should remove the stressor from the dog’s life. You can train them to cope with the stressor if that is impossible.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a common side effect of overheating and one of the causes of panting in dogs.
Your Bernedoodle may become dehydrated even when it is raining outside. Dehydration will mainly occur if your Bernedoodle does not drink enough water.
If you notice your Bernedoodle’s saliva getting very thick and sticky or its tongue being bright red, it could be a sign of dehydration. They will also be weak and struggle to get up or move around.
The best way to help a Bernedoodle panting because of dehydration is to give them as much drinking water as possible.
If they refuse to drink, you can allow them to cool down first in the shade before trying to give them again. You can also see your vet to rehydrate them.
Overheating
As mentioned, dogs have more difficulty expelling heat than human beings. They cannot sweat profusely through the skin to regulate body temperatures.
Instead, they sweat through their paws and through panting. The Bernedoodle’s thick fur coat often prevents it from using sweat mechanics to cool down.
They have fewer sweat glands than human beings. If you suspect your furry friend is overheating, check his body temperature.
Your dog is too hot if the temperature is more than 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other overheating signs include:
- Glazed eyes
- Bright red tongue or gums
- Panting and drooling
You should act immediately if your furry friend shows any of these signs. You can move them to a cool place and give them water. If the condition does not improve, see your vet immediately.
Pain From an Injury
Your Bernedoodle’s panting could result from pain caused by a recent injury.
A broken leg or an open wound could be an obvious reason your furry friend is in pain. In such cases, panting might be your Bernedoodle’s way of dealing with pain.
Joint pains can also make your dog pant as a way of communicating or soothing themselves.
If you suspect your furry friend is panting abnormally because of pain from an injury, make sure you see your vet as soon as possible.
Medical Conditions
Abnormal panting can sometimes be a side effect of a medical condition. These life-threatening conditions can easily lead to death if not addressed on time.
Therefore, it is important to see your vet immediately.
Here are the common medical conditions that can cause abnormal panting in Bernedoodles.
Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease is a condition that makes a dog’s body too much cortisol (stress management hormone).
The common symptoms of the conditions are panting, hair loss, and a pot-bellied abdomen. Your furry friend may also experience increased urination.
Heart Failure
Heart disease is not only dangerous to human beings but also to dogs too. When the heart cannot pump the right amount of blood throughout the body, some tissues will suffer from a lack of oxygen.
The body’s natural attempt to remedy the situation increases the respiratory rate. This may lead to abnormal panting.
Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse is a common medical condition in small-sized dogs. Therefore, it can be common in mini and toy Bernedoodles.
The condition happens when the dog’s windpipe is malformed or weakened. As a result, the airway is restricted, and the Bernedoodle experiences breathing difficulty.
Panting because of the tracheal collapse often sounds more raspy than normal. Your furry friend may also go into coughing fits and have discolored gums.
Lung Disease
Your Bernedoodle can suffer from pulmonary hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They can also develop lung cancer.
A disruption in their normal breathing function can lead to breathing difficulties. Panting is a way for a dog’s body to work harder to get plenty of oxygen into the bloodstream.
Conclusion
While panting is a normal behavior in dogs, you should not ignore it. You should be worried if your dog is continuously panting abnormally.
Bernedoodles pant abnormally because of stress, anxiety, overheating, dehydration, pain, and medical conditions.
If you suspect your Bernedoodle is panting due to a medical condition, you should see your vet as soon as possible.