For every dog parent, the number one priority for their dog is for them to be healthy. Monitoring the respiratory rate is essential for both breeds prone to heart diseases and dogs at different stages of illnesses. This is essential to detect any sudden change that could lead to dog Congestive Heart Failure for instance. We understand the challenges of measuring your dog’s breathing rate, and we created the app RespiDog specifically for this task! Available on the App Store, it offers a free user-friendly interface that helps you calculate your dog’s breathing rate.
What is a normal respiratory rate for a dog? #
Have you ever wondered if your dog is breathing normally? With RespiDog, you will be able to know what your dog’s breathing rate is. To find out if it’s in the average range, consider your dog’s size, age, and activity level. Usually, a small dog’s breathing rate is around 25 times per minute. For a larger-size dog, this number decreases to approximately 15 breaths per minute. In general, the scientific consensus is that breathing becomes abnormal above 30 breaths per minute, excluding the effects of ambient temperature. To accurately measure your dog’s breathing rate, ensure the surroundings are at a normal temperature. Avoid doing it while your dog is sunbathing or near a fire. To be able to compare the respiratory data, ensure that you collect them under similar conditions.
Monitoring your dog’s respiration: a key element in anticipating dog Congestive Heart Failure #
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) means the heart can’t effectively pump blood throughout the body. The most common diseases that can lead to CHF are the Mitral Valve Disease and the Dilated Cardiomyopathy. You can find out more about DCM here:
Your dog may experience different symptoms of CHF depending on if it’s right-sided or left-sided. While right-sided CHF might not be easily detectable, you can anticipate left-sided CHF: it leads to pulmonary edema with symptoms like coughing and breathing issues. That’s why monitoring your dog’s respiratory rate is essential, and RespiDog will become your best ally!
Causes and risks of breathing too fast or too slow #
An abnormal breathing rate can be the sign of various health issues for your dog. For instance, a tachypnea (rapid breathing) can come from anxiety, pain, fever, cardiac issues or lack of oxygen. On the other hand, a bradypnea (slow breathing) can come from an intoxication or worse: congestive heart failure. By regularly using RespiDog, you can identify these abnormalities and anticipate many health issues. If you start observing some changes, we recommend you to call your vet as soon as possible. The application will allow you to give them some precious information that can help establish a diagnosis.
An increased risk for brachycephalic dogs #
Parents of Pugs, Bulldogs, and other brachycephalic breeds, you are the first ones affected by these respiratory issues! These dog breeds are born with a flat skull, a compressed face, and a short nose, deformities that lead to respiratory complications.
As our latest study explains her:
, they are sensitive to the rising temperatures. With RespiDog, you can now closely monitor any breathing distress sign, such as excessive panting or respiratory difficulties. If you’re a brachycephalic dog parent, it’s essential to visit your vet regularly and to keep an eye on their breathing rate.
RespiDog: key features #
- Easy to use: Tap the screen each time your dog inhales, and RespiDog takes care of the rest.
- Real-time tracking: Receive instant readings of your pet’s breathing rate.
- Visualize with graphics: Review your pet’s respiratory data over time in beautiful, easy-to-read graphs.
- Health journal: Keep a comprehensive history of your dog’s breathing health, with each measurement recorded with the date and time.
- Data export: Easily export your data in CSV format for further analysis or to share with your vet.
- Free to use: In our commitment to canine health, RespiDog is free to all users.
Discover our app on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/tm/app/respidog/id6450118361