TL;DR: Rapid breathing in sleeping puppies is usually normal due to high metabolic rates and dreaming during REM sleep. However, you should contact a vet if the breathing remains fast while they are awake or if it is accompanied by coughing or blue gums.
Why is my puppy breathing so fast while they are sleeping?
- Puppies have much higher metabolic rates than adult dogs and developing respiratory systems.
- Puppies spend significant time in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep where they dream vividly.
- Normal sleeping behaviors include quick, shallow breaths, twitching paws, and soft whimpers.
When is fast breathing in a puppy considered a medical emergency?
- The urgency level is typically low if the breathing returns to a normal rhythm once the puppy wakes up.
- Seek veterinary advice if rapid breathing (tachypnea) persists while they are awake and resting.
- Consult a vet immediately if breathing issues are accompanied by coughing, wheezing, or blue-tinted gums.
- A normal resting respiratory rate for a puppy is between 15 and 40 breaths per minute.
How can a video of my puppy's breathing help with a veterinary triage?
- A short video allows the veterinarian to count the exact breaths per minute.
- The vet can observe the "character" of the breathing, such as the use of abdominal muscles.
- Visual records help because puppies often stop the behavior by the time they arrive at the clinic.
- A video helps distinguish between normal dreaming and signs of respiratory distress.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
An elevated sleeping respiratory rate (SRR) in a dog, defined as greater than 30 breaths per minute while sound asleep in a cool environment, can indicate underlying respiratory disease or failure, including pulmonary edema. If doubt exists regarding pulmonary edema in a stable dog, monitoring the SRR at home is valuable. An increased SRR warrants consideration of administering furosemide at a dosage of at least 2 mg/kg, PO, bid, and a subsequent decrease in SRR supports a diagnosis of left heart failure.
Chapter: Cardiology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 102)