Panting

[j George]

o.k. I'm sure you're all laughing your head off now. I know that for dogs (not just Rotties) that Panting is what relieves dogs because they have no sweat glands.

However, This is my second Rottie that pants, A LOT, even when we don't think it's hot. Our old Rottie, panted in the bedroom at night when we had the windows open and the fan one. We use to go to great lengths to make sure it wasn't too hot or too close in the room. Finally when she couldn't stop panting we would let her go where she wanted and she always chose th mud room (the coolest place in the house).

Now we have a young girl. She is not yet three. She races around, chases balls, plays football with her dad, jumps, races, and leaps at the hose sprayer (nozzle). And she pants so hard I worry about her just collapsing with a heart attack. She loves to play and it's almost impossible to get her to slow down and stop. I just have to NOT TAKE "no" for an answer.

Today was the first hot day of the season (80 degrees) and we turned on the AC because we were having company. She played outside for a while, but I insisted she come in when she started panting. She finally stopped after about an hour. Then when she came back from her walk, she panted for quite a long time even thought she was just laying around. At night she pants and pants while she is on the bed. She loves to be there, I think, but she will finally get down, lay on the floor and finally after about 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour relax and stop panting and finally sleep through the night.

In the morning, she doesn't start panting till she goes outside even if she doesn't do anything strenuous. I ABSOUTELY will not feed her in this condition as I'm afraid of what might happen.

Am I overworrying ?? What if we still lived in AZ? L O R D What am I doing?

[Judi W]

Panting can have many meanings. It might be heat, it might be humidity, dogs pant when they are stressed, some pant as a communication. In fact, for fun, you can look at a dog that is not panting, start to pant at the dog and you will often see them respond with a pant and a big grin.

Panting it itself does not mean distress. Although you might consider if she is overweight.........

[lblax]

Originally Posted by j George

I ABSOUTELY will not feed her in this condition as I'm afraid of what might happen.

Am I overworrying ?? What if we still lived in AZ? L O R D What am I doing?

yes you are worrying too much .. what do you think will happen if she is panting and you feed her??

[RottiMomCT]

Originally Posted by Judi W

In fact, for fun, you can look at a dog that is not panting, start to pant at the dog and you will often see them respond with a pant and a big grin....

My god you're right!! I will admit it, I read this and I turned to Ben and baron and started panting. Ben looked at me like I was nuts and then started panting right back at me. Baron got up and left the room - I guess he didn't like what we were discussing!

[j George]

I wrote a response to this, this morning, but I don't see it here; so here goes. When I say panting and I won't feed here at that time, I mean P A N T I N G very heavy, so heavy she throws herself on the floor and drinks from her bowl without getting up at all; just puts her head in the bowl. NO she is only about 82/3 pounds and not yet three. She runs and races and plays very hard (we can't play that hard and we give up long before she does) but we usually stop when she is really panting hard and her tongue is hanging way out of her mouth. tee hee

[Judi W]

do you keep her on heartworm preventative? and have you had her heart given a good listen?

[j George]

Oh yes ! ! ! She's as healthy as a horse (and acts like one). She came to us from a very respectable, highly thought of Rott Rescue. She had every medical test, temperment testing, etc. etc. etc. etc. I think I'm just over reacting, but I tell you, I came here from AZ and I just compare this excessive (my word) panting with what it might be like in 115 degree temps and an irrepressible "just barely over a puppy". I'm probably going to have to lighten up as my husband is talking getting another rottie maybe two. I think he'd like to become a foster parent.

[JeanT]

How long have you had her, and have you kept her on HW medication continuously?

Edited to add: And thanks for giving a home to a rescue!

[frontierrots]

If YOU think it is a concern to you, then you could always have her listened to by a carido vet to make sure she does not have SAS or other heart condition. It may be nothing but if it worries you then perhaps you should have it checked by a cardio vet to set yourself at ease

[j George]

We got her in October and "yes" we've keep up on her protection meds. I've decided since I have "vented" so much hear and have had such caring responses, that I am just a worrier.

We had another girl for 10-1/2 years who was also as healthy as could be until the last six months when she contracted a tumor on her liver. She panted also. Not like this one, but of course, she was older and didn't run, race, play, as hard. She knew when to quit, I guess. I remember back (one year) and think I'm just going to have to get use to having a puppy - more or less. Thanks so much, everyone. J

[Bucky's Mom]

The weather in Maryland changed suddenly - 60 degrees to 80 now 90 today.

I think that the sudden change may be contributing to the reaction to the heat - there was no time to get used to the weather.

In addition - when I left the house this morning Marty Bass said it was 100% humidity (and it isn't raining -blech)

If you have a clean bill of health from the Vet I would just make sure there is lots of water, fans and A/c available (at least till September.

[j George]

Thanks, I've determined this, also.......though this all started when we got her and continued through the winter even in the snow. She just plays so hard ! ! !

I'm a very old worry wort - and in all these years (and many many dogs of all kinds), I've never had a dog that I/we could play with. She wants to be with us all the time, she comes to us if we're just sitting at the patio table reading or eating, brings one of her balls to us and drops it on the bench and looks at us llike "o.k. there it is in reach throw it" And she will play very well all by herself if we are in the house. We can see her chasing her football all over the yard.

Inside she has "house toys" she tosses, flings, carries around, sleeps with, etc. I repeat I have NEVER has a dog that was soooooooooooooo much fun. Even her predesessor was good but not this good. I never knew anything about Rottweilers till I met my husban and his 7 year old Rottie (which he picked from her litter and raised her up, and at age 7 brought her from England to America to live with us). Now when the greiving period passed we never questioned getting another Rottie. This one is MARVELOUS. Entirely different from the other - which is GOOD as we still have all the fond memories of the first (JADE) which never get tromped on. And are building a whole new set of memories / circumstances / etc. with this one (ATHENA - boy is she aptly named, The Goddess of Love) who just keeps weedling her way into everyone's heart; family, friends, kids, just people who come to the door, whatever.
I've become a Rottie Groupee - from not even knowing what a Rottie was (6 years ago) to trying to figure out if our house can take one or two more.

This website has been a major factor in my education and transformation from a neophite to a downright "groupee", praiser, town crier of these remarkable, marvelous, furbabies. Thanks to everyone for the help and great support J

[Brutus's Mom]

I agree totally, Athena's name suits her very well, she is a VERY sweet and loving Gal!!!! And she has the best Home and Mum & Dad that she could ever have hoped for!!!!

Adopter's are very special and wonderful people!!

[j George]

Thanks T, That was very nice of you to say....... ACTUALLY we are the Lucky ones B L E S S E D ! ! ! ! ! ! J

[Brutus's Mom]

Originally Posted by frontierrots

If YOU think it is a concern to you, then you could always have her listened to by a carido vet to make sure she does not have SAS or other heart condition. It may be nothing but if it worries you then perhaps you should have it checked by a cardio vet to set yourself at ease

VERY good suggestion, and I would certainly follow through with frontierrots's suggestion if you have any concerns about it being her heart. You can never be too careful and I know you do not need any more loss's in your life.