Dog Shaking & Trembling When Breathing in – Top 3 Reasons Why

Here are a few common reasons that may explain a dog that suddenly shakes and trembles when he breathes in.

1. Diseases like distemper

Shaking and trembling might be a sign of pain and discomfort whenever your dog breathes in and out. This could be a result of respiratory diseases like canine distemper, which is contagious and life-threatening if it isn’t treated quickly. In addition to the shaking, the dog may display other concerning symptoms like eye discharge and coughing.

Aside from distemper, the discomfort in breathing may be caused by other conditions like aspiration pneumonia and tracheal collapse. It’s important to call the vet straight away if your dog stops behaving like his usual self.

2. Sign of stress

Some dogs may shake while breathing in heavily because they are going through a high bout of stress and anxiety. You might notice this happening during certain events such as when the dog is in a moving vehicle or if there are fireworks going on.

3. Heat exhaustion

The shaking and trembling (while breathing heavily) may have to do with heat exhaustion or heatstroke. This occurs when a dog has been in a hot environment for a prolonged period of time. Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to getting heat exhaustion than others, such as dogs with thick fur or short snouts.