TL;DR: Rapid breathing in sleeping dogs can be a normal part of dreaming or a sign of respiratory distress; you should seek veterinary care if their resting breath rate exceeds 40 breaths per minute or if they show signs like blue gums.
What does it mean if my dog is breathing rapidly while sleeping?
Rapid breathing during sleep, technically known as tachypnea, occurs when a dog takes more breaths per minute than the normal resting range. While it is often a normal part of the REM (dreaming) sleep cycle, persistent rapid breathing can also signal that the body is struggling to get enough oxygen or is reacting to internal discomfort.
When should I worry that my dog's rapid breathing is an emergency?
- The urgency level for this symptom is generally Medium.
- If your dog is otherwise acting normally when awake, it may not be an immediate crisis.
- Schedule a veterinary appointment if the resting respiratory rate is consistently above 40 breaths per minute while the dog is calm and not dreaming.
- Monitor for additional warning signs such as coughing or lethargy.
- Seek emergency care immediately if you notice blue or purple-tinged gums or extreme gasping.
How can taking a photo or video help my vet triage my dog's breathing?
- A video provides an objective look at your dog's "natural" resting state, which is often masked by stress or excitement at the clinic.
- It allows the veterinarian to accurately count the breaths per minute.
- The vet can better assess the specific physical effort and movement involved in each breath to determine the severity.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
To triage rapid breathing in dogs while sleeping, first have the owner count the sleeping respiratory rate (SRR) in a cool environment while the dog is sound asleep; a normal SRR is less than 30 breaths/min, and a rate greater than this indicates tachypnea. Increased SRR can be indicative of pulmonary edema or other respiratory disease/failure. If pulmonary edema is suspected but not definitive, and the dog is stable, monitoring SRR at home is valuable. If an increased SRR is documented, initiate furosemide at a minimum dosage of 2 mg/kg, PO, bid. A subsequent decrease in SRR supports a diagnosis of left heart failure.
Chapter: Cardiology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 102)