why do w.h.w.t dogs gasp for breath?

Answer 1

Panting in dogs including Westies can be perectly normal.
Gasping isn't normal. this could be due to a number of conditions but Westies are prone to a couple - depeding on size and age.

Tracheal collapse (as described above) tends to occur in small breed dogs and is where the soft part of the wind pipe collapses when the dog breathes in, leading to fits of coughing and sometimes fainting. It usually happens when the dog is excited.

Older Westies tend to get a disease of the lungs called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, more commonly known as Westie lung and similar names. It gets worse with time and although it can be managed with treatment it can't be cured. It starts with coughing but can get so bad the dog gasps for air and collapses. No one knows why Westies are prone, they just seem to be.

Also get your Westie checked out for other causes such as airway obstruction, heart disease, anaemia if it is gasping.

Answer 2

their throat and airways are made up of tissue and cartlage rings (like what your nose is made up of) when the dog is over excited, the rings sometimes feel like they are callapsing to the animal. even though they arent, the dog will gasp for air until this feeling goes away. this is an instinct the dog has naturally. nothing to worry about in young dogs, especially small dogs like terriors, however, if your dog is getting older, you may need to make a trip to the vets office because of more serious conditions may be present.

Answer 3

Dogs don't sweat and, therefore, lose a lot of heat through their mouths, hence the panting.

Answer 4

because dogs have no sweat glands,the cool down by panting

Answer 5

what is a w.h.w.t. dog???