Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,I have a 8 month old great dane. Is it possible for dogs to have asthma and if so, what are the symptoms. Abby, my dane, will get excited playing with our other dogs or with my husband or I and then all of sudden she will begin breathing heavy and strange. It osunds like when a person is having an ansthma attack. Any ideas? Thanks a lot!

I've never had one with asthma but I would have your Vet check the dog's heart.

I took Abby to the vet on Tuesday. She has Reversed D heart disorder and 2 ear infections. She is currently on Digioxin to help regulate her heart and I have to keep her calm...that part is not going too well! She will go back this coming Tuesday fro an ultrasound of each chamber of her heart and then we will know more. Thanks for the advice! Falon

Does it kinda sound like a reverse sneeze?
Some dogs will tend to have their esophagous kinda close up..and sometimes, you can hold their nose for a minute to help force it back open. Also, dogs with tonsil infections (and thus enlarged tonsils) can have the same thing happen due to a smaller airway. Either way, good thing for the vet to check. Then again..your dog could very well be asthmatic,too.. Best wishes.

I have brought her to the vet. It is her heart. She is going back on Tuesday for an ultrasound to see what can be done. Her heart is an abnormal size and not exactly where it should be, but thanks for the advice. I'll let you know what happens.

Well it turns out that Abby's heart is in perfect condition. It is a respitory problem. It could be lerigitis paalysis. We go back on Tuesday again.