How many respirations per minute for dogs

Normal vital signs for dogs are:. Body Temperature — Body temperature in animals is taken rectally. The normal body temperature for a dog is to If your pet has a temperature less than 99 or over , contact your veterinarian immediately. Mucous Membrane Color — The most commonly examined mucous membranes are the gums. The color of the gums is a good indicator of blood perfusion and oxygenation. The normal gum color is pink. If your pet has pigmented gums, lowering the eyelid can also give you an indicator of mucous membrane color.

Pale, white, blue or yellow gums are cause for concern and you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Your pet should be calm and quiet. Place your hand over this area of the chest and feel for a heartbeat. The vet will perform a full physical examination to determine whether the problem is located in the heart, circulatory system, lungs, airway, neck, head, or other area.

A general health condition may also be causing an issue. You will also be asked questions about your dog and any previous history of medical issues. X-rays may be taken to check the heart, lungs and abdomen for issues such as broken ribs or lung tumors.

Organs will also be examined. Treatment will be determined by the underlying cause. Your vet may prescribe pain relief, intravenous fluids with calcium, or medication. For stress or anxiety, special training with a certified dog behaviorist may be required. No matter the cause, rest and oxygen therapy will be needed. When your dog is sleeping, or resting quietly, you can assess their respiratory rate.

First, watch your dog's chest as it rises and falls to familiarize yourself with the movement. Next, set a timer for 30 seconds. Count the number of times the dog takes a breath when the chest rises and falls. Once you have your initial results, multiply the number of breaths by 2 to get the dog's respiratory rate bpm. A normal dog respiratory rate is between bpm.

You should not be able to hear your pet breathe at all except when panting. The normal resting respiration rate for dogs is 15 to 30 breaths per minute a sleeping or relaxed dog. If your dog is being active, expect a higher respiratory rate between 15 to breaths; and just like with heart rates, smaller dogs will tend to have a faster resting respiratory rate than larger dogs.

Any unusual noise heard while the dog is breathing could indicate a problem, especially if the noise is new for your pup. Wheezing during expiration can indicate conditions such as asthma or allergic airway disease. High pitched noises on inspiration indicate an obstruction of the upper airway or choking and immediate medical attention is needed.