You've ended up here, so I would assume that you have been noticing your dog panting and pacing more than what you may consider normal. There are many reasons why a dog will pant, pace, and the most common reasons would be reflux esophagitis, canine cognitive dysfunction (dementia), stress and anxiety, pain, and heart or lung diseases. In this article, I will discuss in more detail why your dog may be panting and pacing.
1. Reflux esophagitis
A cause that is often overlooked and can cause panting and pacing in dogs is reflux esophagitis. This occurs when stomach contents reflux back into the esophagus. When this happens, it creates irritation and inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, therefore causing discomfort. This discomfort can become more intense after eating or lying down, leading to restlessness, panting and pacing.
While this can occur in any breed of any age, it is most common in older dogs as their natural protective mechanisms may weaken with age. We can also see reflux esophagitis in dogs after general anesthesia and surgery, when stomach acid can freely move from the stomach and into the esophagus.
Other signs you may notice if your dog has reflux esophagitis are drooling, hard swallowing, lip licking and sometimes, lack of appetite.
If I suspect a dog has this condition, I will often recommend one of two medications, and sometimes both in severe cases. The first medication I use is omeprazole, which is an antacid that will reduce stomach acid production. The second is metoclopramide, which improves the flow of food material out of the stomach and into the intestines. Sometimes, I will also use sulcralfate to help coat and soothe the esophagus.
2. Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD)
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction syndrome (CCD) is a condition that often affects older, senior dogs. It causes a gradual decline in cognitive function that leads to progressive changes in the brain.
CCD is a neurological disorder that affects your dog's memory, learning, perception, and awareness.
I often see dogs with cognitive dysfunction show signs such as panting and restlessness. Dogs that are affected will show signs of confusion and disorientation, which causes them to pant and pace as they struggle to recognize even familiar environments.
Aside from panting and pacing, other symptoms of CCD in dogs include changes in sleep patterns, decreased interaction with family members, altered responses to stimuli, and house soiling. These signs often develop gradually and can be mistaken for 'normal' aging.
Unfortunately, treatment options are limited for dogs that suffer from cognitive dysfunction. The treatments are largely focused on slowing down the progression of the disease.
3. Stress and anxiety
It shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that dogs are very sensitive to their surroundings. Dogs will pant and pace as a way of burning off "nervous energy." This is an example of a change in emotional state that results in physical symptoms.
Many different things can trigger anxiety. Common causes are separation anxiety or phobias, such as noise phobias secondary to thunderstorms or fireworks.
In addition to panting and pacing, other signs you may notice if your dog has stress or anxiety are excessive barking, whining, destructive behaviour, trembling and appetite changes.
4. Acute or chronic pain
A very common cause of restlessness, panting, and pacing is pain, whether acute or chronic. The list of potential ailments that can cause pain is extremely long and can include injuries, arthritis, dental problems, or internal health issues, for example.
Because dogs cannot talk, they need to find other ways of displaying their pain. Sometimes they do nothing at all, other times they will pant to try to relieve pain, or pace to try to find a comfortable position.
Other signs of pain may include limping, decreased activity, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, licking a particular area excessively, and changes in temperament, such as aggression or withdrawal. Sometimes, the signs can be very subtle, especially in chronic conditions like arthritis, as your dog has adapted to live with the discomfort.
5. Thoracic disease (heart/lungs/masses)
Chest, or thoracic disease include any condition inside the chest, such as heart disease, lung or pulmonary disease, or chest masses. Any of these conditions can have a direct impact on the circulatory or respiratory systems, leading to panting and pacing.
Affected dogs will excessively pant as they struggle to get enough oxygen into their body. This may be more noticeable after exercise. Pacing can be an indicator of discomfort or an inability to breathe comfortably.
In addition to panting and pacing, dogs with thoracic disease may exhibit coughing, lethargy, decreased exercise tolerance, fainting, and pale gums. These symptoms may develop gradually and can sometimes be mistaken for normal aging.
Why is my dog panting and restless at night?
The most common conditions that I would consider here are pain, cognitive dysfunction (CCD) or stomach reflux (esophageal esophagitis).
Why is my senior dog pacing and panting?
Pacing and panting in senior dogs can be signs of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), pain from conditions like arthritis, or thoracic diseases affecting the heart and lungs.
In conclusion, if your dog is pacing and panting, it's important to rule out the most common causes, which are reflux esophagitis, canine cognitive dysfunction, stress, anxiety, pain, or a thoracic disease. Let your veterinarian know that you are concerned about excessive panting and pacing, and they can help determine the cause.
