When you become dyspnea or shortness of breath, you need to contact your pet doctor as soon as possible. Difficulty in breathing may mean that there is not enough oxygen to reach the dog's body tissue.

Pets with heart disease may not be able to deliver enough blood to their muscles and other tissues. Difficulty in breathing is often accompanied by effusion in the lungs or pleural cavity, resulting in shortness of breath and cough. If your dog suddenly has respiratory problems, you should take him to see a pet doctor immediately.

When a dog has a cough, it is generally an underlying health problem. Possible causes include tracheal obstruction, kennel cough, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, heart failure and lung tumors. All types of coughs require medical examination and confirmation of the cause and treatment.

When pets show drowsiness, slow movement or listlessness, and slow response to sounds and other stimuli in the environment, these are all manifestations of dog fatigue. Special fatigue may herald many potential diseases, including some serious and even life-threatening diseases. If the dog is drowsy for more than 24 hours, it's time to see a pet doctor.