TL;DR: If your dog stops breathing for 15 seconds or more, it is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention, even if they currently appear to be breathing normally.
What does it mean if my dog stops breathing?
When a dog stops breathing for a period of time, it is known medically as apnea. This can occur due to a variety of serious underlying issues, including upper airway obstructions, heart failure, neurological triggers, or severe respiratory distress. A 15-second pause in breathing is a significant clinical sign that the body's involuntary drive to breathe has been interrupted, which can lead to rapid oxygen depletion in the blood and brain.
What is the urgency level for a dog that has stopped breathing?
- Treat this situation as a high-level emergency.
- Be aware that a 15-second lapse is an indicator of a potentially life-threatening condition that could recur at any moment.
- Transport your dog to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately, even if they have resumed breathing and appear normal.
- Do not wait for another episode to occur, as the next one could result in full respiratory or cardiac arrest.
How can photos and videos help the vet triage my dog's condition?
- If you are able to safely capture a quick video of the breathing pattern or the episode without delaying your trip to the vet, it can be an invaluable tool for the medical team.
- Provide visual evidence to help veterinarians differentiate between different types of respiratory events, such as syncopal episodes (fainting), seizures, or obstructive breathing.
- Show the color of the gums or the specific movement of the chest wall to help the triage nurse prioritize your pet's care the moment you arrive.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
If an animal is unconscious and not breathing, instruct the owner to close the animal's mouth, place their lips over the animal's nostrils, and initially give 3-4 strong breaths. If the animal's breathing does not become spontaneous, the owner should breathe for the animal at a rate of 10 breaths/min. The owner can compress the esophagus behind the mandible on the left side so that most of the air will go down the airway instead of into the stomach. Chest compressions should be initiated at a rate of 100-120/min, with a compression:ventilation ratio of 30:2 if another person is available to drive during transport. If the animal is cyanotic and collapsed, and was pawing at the face, an upper airway obstruction may be present; instruct the owner how to perform a Heimlich maneuver or sudden chest compression to relieve the obstruction and then to manually clear the airway.
Chapter: Emergency, General Principles
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1659)