Respiratory Emergencies in Pets | First Coast Veterinary Center

Respiratory Emergencies

Animal Emergency Care information

The Signs:

Collapse, weakness, bluish or gray gum color, labored, rapid, or shallow breathing

Take Action:

Seek veterinary care immediately. Difficulty breathing can result from heart failure, lung disease, and blockage of the airway, allergic reaction, or trauma. All of these respiratory emergencies in pets are life-threatening. You can look in your pet’s mouth to see if there is a foreign object obstructing the airway, only try to remove the object if it is completely stopping your pet from breathing. Use tweezers or pliers to remove the item. If your pet is still passing some air (wheezing), do not attempt to remove the item and get them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. By attempting to remove the item, you may push it farther into the airway.


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