Differential Diagnosis: Panting

Following are differential diagnoses, listed in order of likelihood, for patients* presented with panting.

• Normal (some panting, such as with heat, exertion, or excitement, can be considered “normal”; can also be seen in cats, particularly young cats, although this is less common)

• Excessive weight/obesity

• Pain

• Behavior issue (eg, anxiety)

• Respiratory disease (eg, laryngeal paralysis, chronic bronchitis [including cats])

• Cardiac disease (eg, congestive heart failure)**

• Pulmonary hypertension

• Drug effects (eg, from opioids or glucocorticoids)

• Endocrine disease, usually in association with other clinical signs:

  • Hyperadrenocorticism

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • Pheochromocytoma

• Fever

• Systemic hypertension

• Acidosis secondary to:

  • Renal failure

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis

  • Ethylene glycol or salicylate toxicity

• CNS disease:

  • Disease affecting the respiratory center

  • Postictal

*The differential diagnoses included here are seen most commonly in dogs. Those differentials of note in cats are highlighted.

**Cardiovascular disease should be ruled out in young cats presented with panting.