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Why is my senior dog suddenly breathing hard and collapsing?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 14 years old | 70 lbs

My yellow lab just turned 15. She has been fine up until 2 days ago. Going back two days ago, Lily threw up late in the evening but seemed fine afterwards. The next day she became a completely different dog and in a disposition that I have never seen. She started breathing really hard and lost coordination. She kept flopping to the floor and wouldn’t move, eat or drink water. I put her in her bed and let her rest. The heavy breathing subsided once she was resting but her breathing went into stom

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 30, 2020

Poor Lily sounds very sick at the moment, and it could be something serious like heart disease, liver disease, or even cancer. I would consider her symptoms a medical emergency, and I would take her into a vet immediately.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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