TL;DR: Agonal gasping is a sign of respiratory or cardiac arrest and requires immediate, emergency veterinary intervention. If your dog is gasping like a "fish out of water," transport them to a 24-hour clinic immediately as every second counts.
What is agonal gasping in dogs and what does it look like?
Agonal gasping is not actual breathing, but rather a neurological reflex that occurs when a dog's body is no longer receiving sufficient oxygen. It often appears as labored, jerky, or 'fish-out-of-water' gasps. This usually signifies that the dog is unconscious and the brain is instinctively attempting to trigger a breath during a state of extreme physiological distress.
Is agonal gasping a life-threatening emergency for my dog?
- Recognize that this is a critical medical emergency often indicating your dog is in cardiac or respiratory arrest.
- Contact an emergency veterinarian or transport your pet to the nearest 24-hour clinic immediately.
- Understand that every second is vital for the potential of resuscitation.
How can taking a video of my dog's breathing help the veterinary triage team?
- Capture a five to ten-second video of the breathing pattern only if it is safe to do so without delaying your trip to the clinic.
- Provide visual evidence to help the medical staff immediately distinguish between heavy panting, seizure activity, or true agonal breathing.
- Help the team prepare the necessary life-saving equipment before you arrive by sharing the visual details of the gasping.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In cases of agonal gasping or respiratory arrest, pet owners should immediately assess for an upper airway obstruction; if present (cyanosis, pawing at face), perform a Heimlich maneuver or chest compression to relieve the obstruction and clear the airway. If the animal is unconscious and not breathing, initiate mouth-to-nose resuscitation by closing the animal's mouth, placing lips over the nostrils, and giving 3-4 strong breaths. If spontaneous breathing does not resume, continue rescue breathing at a rate of 10 breaths per minute, while compressing the esophagus behind the mandible to direct air into the airway. Concurrently, initiate chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, utilizing a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio if a second person is available during transport to a veterinary facility.
Chapter: Critical Care
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1665)