What to Do If Your Dog Is Panting Excessively After Starting Steroids

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-14

Key Takeaways

• Steroid medications, such as prednisone, commonly induce increased panting and respiration rate in dogs as a physiological side effect, often within hours to days of initiation, due to thermoregulation stimulation and central respiratory drive activation.
• Differentiating steroid-induced panting from true respiratory distress is critical; emergency veterinary intervention is mandated for signs including pale or blue gums, labored breathing with neck extension and abducted elbows, collapse, or inability to rest.
• A normal resting respiratory rate for dogs is 10-30 breaths per minute; rates exceeding 40 breaths per minute at rest, or persistent panting for over 6 hours without respite, warrant immediate veterinary consultation for potential dose adjustment or differential diagnosis.
• Steroid-induced panting typically resolves as the body adapts, usually within one to two weeks, and diminishes significantly during drug tapering, but it is crucial to monitor for concurrent symptoms like cough, lethargy, or appetite changes that may indicate an alternative pathology.
• Owners must maintain a detailed log of panting episodes, including timing, duration, and associated behaviors, and should never abruptly discontinue steroid therapy or administer human medications without explicit veterinary guidance due to risks of withdrawal syndrome and drug toxicity.
• Veterinary assessment may involve physical examination, auscultation of cardiopulmonary structures, temperature measurement, and diagnostic tests such as complete blood counts, serum chemistry panels, and thoracic radiography to rule out underlying conditions like cardiac disease, pulmonary pathology, or Cushing's disease.

If your dog started a steroid medication like prednisone and is now panting more than usual, you are not imagining things. Steroids commonly cause increased panting and faster breathing in dogs, especially in the first week of treatment. This side effect is often harmless, but it can also look very similar to signs of a serious emergency. Read this first: if your dog is struggling to breathe, has blue or pale gums, collapses, or cannot settle no matter what you do, stop reading and go to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital right now. Those signs can mean a life-threatening problem that has nothing to do with the steroid.

For most dogs, the panting starts within a few hours to a few days after the first dose. It tends to be worse in the afternoon or evening, and it often improves as the day goes on. The panting may come and go, and many dogs still eat, drink, play, and sleep normally between episodes. That pattern is very different from true respiratory distress, where a dog cannot catch its breath and works hard just to inhale and exhale.

Your job right now is to stay calm, watch your dog closely, and learn the difference between a steroid side effect and a genuine emergency. This guide walks you through what to look for, what to count, and when to call your veterinarian.

Is This an Emergency?

Use this table to sort what you are seeing. If any sign from the first row appears, do not wait. Go to an emergency vet immediately.

{
 "type": "triage",
 "title": "Urgency triage by severity of signs",
 "tiers": [
  {
   "tier": "danger",
   "label": "Go to emergency vet now",
   "signs": [
    "Gums are pale, white, blue, or gray",
    "Dog is panting with the neck stretched out and elbows pointing away from the body",
    "Dog cannot lie down or sleep",
    "Dog collapses, faints, or seems weak"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Call the emergency hospital on the way so they are ready",
    "Do not offer food or water",
    "Do not try home remedies"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "warn",
   "label": "Book a same-day appointment",
   "signs": [
    "Panting is constant for more than 6 hours with no breaks",
    "Dog is restless and paces but cannot settle",
    "Dog drinks and urinates much more than usual",
    "Panting started within hours of the first dose and is severe"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Call your regular veterinarian today",
    "Tell them the steroid name, the dose, and when it was given",
    "They may adjust the dose or schedule a visit"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "safe",
   "label": "Watch at home for 24 to 48 hours",
   "signs": [
    "Panting comes and goes",
    "Dog eats, drinks, and plays normally between episodes",
    "Panting is worse in the afternoon and better at night",
    "Dog sleeps normally and breathes easily while resting"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Keep a log of when panting happens and how long it lasts",
    "Call your vet if it gets worse or does not improve within 2 days"
   ]
  }
 ]
}

If you are unsure which row fits, call your veterinarian. It is always acceptable to ask for advice over the phone for a non-emergency concern. But if your dog shows any sign from the top row, do not phone first. Go.

Why Steroids Cause Panting

Steroids, also called corticosteroids or glucocorticoids, are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs. Prednisone is one of the most common ones prescribed for dogs. They are used for allergies, immune conditions, joint pain, and many other problems. The FDA provides guidance on giving pet medications safely, and one of the most important points is that side effects are expected with many drugs, including steroids.

The panting happens for a few reasons. Steroids can increase your dog's body temperature slightly, and panting is how dogs cool down. The drugs also stimulate the part of the brain that controls breathing, which makes the dog take faster, shallower breaths. Finally, steroids can make a dog feel restless or anxious, and that nervous energy often comes out as panting.

This type of panting is usually not dangerous. It is a nuisance side effect, not a sign that the drug is harming your dog. The panting often decreases after the first week or two, and it usually stops completely when the medication is tapered down and discontinued.

What Else Could It Be

Steroid-induced panting is the most likely explanation, but it is not the only one. Your dog could be panting for a different reason that has nothing to do with the medication. Pain, fever, heart disease, lung problems, and a condition called Cushing's disease can all cause excessive panting. Cushing's disease is a hormonal disorder where the body produces too much cortisol, which is the natural steroid hormone.

The key difference is timing. If the panting started right after the steroid dose and follows the pattern described above, the drug is the likely cause. If the panting was already happening before the steroid, or if it is accompanied by coughing, weakness, or a change in appetite, then something else may be going on. Your veterinarian can run blood tests and examine your dog to tell the difference. Do not assume the steroid is the only possible cause, especially if your dog seems unwell in other ways.

How to Count Your Dog's Breathing Rate

A resting breathing rate is a useful number to know. Wait until your dog is asleep or lying quietly. Do not count while they are panting. Watch the chest or belly move up and down. One full breath is one rise and one fall. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. A normal resting rate for most dogs is between 10 and 30 breaths per minute. If your dog is breathing faster than 40 breaths per minute while resting and not panting, that is a reason to call your vet.

Panting itself is fast breathing, often 200 to 300 breaths per minute, so do not count while your dog is panting. The resting rate is only useful when your dog is calm and not panting. If you cannot get a calm reading because your dog will not settle, that restlessness itself is a sign to call for advice.

What to Do Next

Keep giving the steroid exactly as prescribed unless your veterinarian tells you otherwise. Stopping suddenly can cause a dangerous withdrawal reaction. If the panting is mild and your dog is otherwise fine, give it a few days. Keep a simple log of the panting episodes, note whether your dog eats and drinks normally, and check the gum color once or twice a day. Gums should be pink and moist, like your own.

If the panting is severe, constant, or paired with any emergency sign, seek care immediately. If it is bothersome but not dangerous, call your regular vet for advice. They may lower the dose, switch to a different steroid, or add a medication to help with the side effects. Never change the dose on your own. The dose must come from your veterinarian because the right amount depends on your dog's weight, condition, and response to treatment. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association both emphasize that safe medication use starts with clear communication between you and your vet. That conversation is the best tool you have.

What You Can Do at Home Right Now

If your dog is panting but otherwise acting like themselves, the first step is to stay calm and gather information. Panting from steroids is a known side effect, and it usually settles as the body adjusts to the medication. That does not mean you should ignore it, but it does mean you have time to observe carefully.

Start by checking your dog's gum color. Lift the lip and look. Healthy gums are pink, like bubblegum. Pale, white, blue, or brick-red gums are warning signs that need immediate veterinary attention. Next, feel your dog's chest. You should feel a steady heartbeat, not a racing or irregular one. If your dog's chest is heaving so hard you can see the ribs move with every breath, that is different from normal steroid panting.

Offer fresh water. Steroids can increase thirst, and a well-hydrated dog pants less. Do not force your dog to drink. Just make sure the bowl is full and clean. Keep your dog in a cool, quiet room. Avoid exercise, excitement, or anything that raises body temperature. A calm dog pants less.

Do not give your dog any human medication. Do not give aspirin, Benadryl, or anything else to slow breathing or reduce side effects. These drugs can be toxic to dogs, and they can interact badly with steroids. Dosing must come from the treating veterinarian, and only a veterinarian can decide whether a medication is safe for your dog's specific situation.

Do not stop the steroid suddenly. If your dog is on a tapering schedule, keep following it exactly. Stopping steroids abruptly can cause a dangerous drop in the body's own cortisol production. If you are worried about the dose, call your veterinarian before the next dose is due. Do not skip doses on your own.

What to Write Down Before You Call

Before you contact a veterinarian, take a few minutes to record what you are seeing. This information helps the vet decide how urgent the problem is and whether you need to come in today.

Write down the date and time the panting started. Note whether it began right after a dose or hours later. Count your dog's breathing rate at rest using the method described earlier. Write down the number. Check it again in two hours and write that down too. Note whether the panting is constant or comes in waves. Describe the sound. Is it open-mouthed, noisy breathing, or is it quiet and fast? Look at your dog's posture. Is the neck stretched out? Are the elbows pointed outward? Are the gums pink or pale?

Also record how much water your dog is drinking and how often they are urinating. Steroids increase both, but a sudden dramatic change matters. Note whether your dog is eating normally, and whether they seem restless, anxious, or unable to settle.

Symptom Comparison Table

Use this table to sort what you are seeing. If any item in the emergency column applies, seek in-person emergency care immediately.

Monitoring Log

Print this table or copy it onto paper. Fill it in three times a day while your dog is on steroids.

Bring this log to any veterinary visit. It gives the vet a clear picture of how your dog is responding to the medication.

What a Veterinary Visit Looks Like

When you bring your dog in for steroid-related panting, the veterinarian will start with a physical examination. They will listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. They will feel the abdomen to check the liver and adrenal glands. They will take your dog's temperature. These are things a remote consultation cannot do, and they matter because panting can also come from heart disease, lung problems, pain, or Cushing's disease.

The vet will ask about the steroid dose, how long your dog has been on it, and whether the dose has changed recently. They will ask about appetite, thirst, urination, and energy level. They may ask to see your monitoring log.

Common tests include bloodwork to check liver enzymes and cortisol levels, a urine test, and sometimes chest X-rays to look at the heart and lungs. These tests help rule out other causes of panting and confirm that the steroid is the likely culprit.

The cost of a visit depends on what is done. A basic exam and consultation might run from $50 to $150. Bloodwork adds roughly $100 to $300. Chest X-rays can add another $150 to $400. These are general ranges only. Prices vary widely by region and clinic, and urgent care or emergency hospitals charge more than regular clinics. Ask for an estimate before tests are run.

When an Online Vet Can Help, and When It Cannot

Some situations in this article require hands-on care and must not be handled remotely. If your dog has pale gums, a breathing rate over 40 at rest, a persistent cough, collapse, or a stretched-out neck posture, that is an emergency. No video call can replace listening to the lungs or checking the heart. Go to an emergency clinic now.

For early or mild panting, a remote consultation can be genuinely useful. If your dog started steroids yesterday and is panting but eating, drinking, and acting normally, a video call can help you decide whether a visit is needed. A veterinarian can take a history, watch your dog breathe on video, and advise on whether the panting is within the expected range. They can answer questions about medication side effects and help you decide if a sign warrants an in-person visit.

A remote consultation can also work well for rechecks on a known problem. If your dog has been on steroids for weeks and the panting is stable, a video follow-up may be enough to adjust the plan.

Be clear about what a remote visit cannot produce. A veterinarian on video cannot palpate the abdomen, listen to the chest, take a temperature, run bloodwork, or image anything. They can only see what you show them and hear what you describe. Prescribing rules differ by state, and a veterinarian may require an in-person examination before prescribing or changing a prescription. If the remote vet recommends an in-person visit, take that seriously. They are not being cautious for no reason. They are telling you that the information they need cannot be gathered through a screen.

Common Mistakes Owners Make With Steroid Panting

Mistake: Stopping the steroid abruptly because the panting is upsetting. Sudden withdrawal can cause a serious flare-up of the original disease, and in some cases a condition called steroid withdrawal syndrome. If your dog is restless or distressed, call your veterinarian before changing anything. They may adjust the dose, add a medication to help with anxiety, or taper the drug slowly. Never decide on your own to stop.

Mistake: Assuming every fast breath is the same. Panting is open-mouthed, rapid, and shallow, often with the tongue out. Labored breathing is different. It involves effort. You may see your dog's belly move hard with each breath, hear noise, or watch them refuse to lie down. If you see effort, that is an emergency, not a side effect.

Mistake: Giving the next dose early to "calm" the dog. More steroid does not mean less panting. It usually means more panting. Give the medication exactly on the schedule your veterinarian set. If you miss a dose, ask for instructions instead of guessing.

Mistake: Skipping the vet visit because the panting seems mild. Panting can be a normal side effect, but it can also hide a new problem like a respiratory infection or heart disease. A quick check lets your veterinarian confirm which one you are dealing with. The FDA's guidance on safe use of pet medications stresses that correct dosing and timing matter, and so does reporting anything unusual.

How to Reduce the Chance of It Happening Again

You cannot always prevent steroid-induced panting. It is a direct effect of the drug on the brain's temperature center. But you can reduce how hard it hits.

Give the medication with food unless your vet said otherwise. This can ease stomach upset, though it will not stop panting. Give the dose at the same time each day, usually in the morning. Morning dosing often means the panting peaks during the day when you can watch it, instead of at night when you are trying to sleep.

Keep your home cool. A fan or air conditioning can help your dog shed heat. Provide fresh water at all times. Avoid exercise in the heat of the day. Short, gentle walks in the early morning or evening are better than long runs.

Track the pattern. Write down the date, the dose, and how much your dog panted that day. This record helps your veterinarian see whether the panting is stable, improving, or getting worse. The American Veterinary Medical Association's pet owner resources recommend keeping a clear log of any medication changes and side effects to discuss at your next visit.

What Recovery and Ongoing Management Usually Look Like

Most dogs adjust to steroids within a few days to two weeks. The panting often peaks in the first few days after starting the drug or after a dose increase, then settles somewhat as the body adapts. It rarely disappears completely while the dog is on the medication.

If your dog is on a short course, the panting usually fades within a few days after the last dose. If your dog is on a long-term or every-other-day schedule, the panting may come and go. On the days off the drug, you may see less panting.

Your veterinarian will likely recheck your dog during treatment. They may run blood tests to monitor liver values or blood sugar, since steroids can affect those. They will also watch the original condition to decide how long to continue the drug. The goal is the lowest effective dose for the shortest safe time.

Some dogs need a slow taper over weeks. This is not a sign of failure. It is a way to let the body's own steroid production restart safely. The FDA's animal drug information explains that approved veterinary drugs carry specific label instructions for a reason, and following the veterinarian's tapering plan matters.

If the panting is severe, your veterinarian may add a medication to reduce anxiety or switch to a different steroid. Do not expect instant silence. Give the plan time, but keep reporting what you see.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my dog pant after each dose? Panting usually starts within a few hours of giving the medication and can last 8 to 12 hours. It often peaks in the first few days of treatment. If your dog pants constantly for more than 24 hours without a break, call your veterinarian. Constant panting is different from a predictable daily pattern and may mean the dose is too high or another problem is present.

Can I give my dog something to calm the panting? Do not give any over-the-counter or human medication. Some human drugs are toxic to dogs. Your veterinarian can prescribe a safe option if anxiety is making the panting worse. Cooling your home, offering water, and staying calm yourself can help. Your dog reads your stress, so a quiet, steady routine is useful.

Is it okay to exercise my dog while they are on steroids? Light exercise is fine, but avoid heavy exertion and hot weather. Steroids can make dogs pant more with less effort, and they can also make muscles weaker over time. Short, slow walks are better than running or fetch. Watch your dog closely. If they start panting hard after a short walk, stop and rest.

Will the panting damage my dog's lungs or heart? No. The panting itself is not damaging. It is a normal heat-loss response. The concern is what the panting might be hiding. If your dog has underlying heart disease, the extra stress of steroids can make breathing problems worse. That is why a veterinary check is useful, to make sure the panting is only the drug and not a hidden condition.

What if my dog pants all night and cannot sleep? Try giving the dose in the morning if you are not already. Keep the bedroom cool and quiet. A fan can help. If your dog is restless and pacing all night, call your veterinarian the next morning. They may adjust the timing or dose. Do not wait several days if your dog is not sleeping at all.

How do I know when to stop worrying and call the emergency vet? Call emergency services if your dog is breathing with effort, if the gums are pale, blue, or gray, if your dog collapses, or if they cannot settle even when lying down. Also call if the panting started suddenly after weeks of being stable. Trust your gut. If you feel something is wrong, a quick call is always better than waiting.

Related Clinical & Scientific Guides

• What Are the Side Effects of Bravecto for Dogs? What to Watch For
• Can You Give Your Dog Human Allergy Medicine? Whats Safe
• Can You Give Your Dog Dramamine for Car Sickness?

References and Further Reading

• FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Animal Drug Information
• FDA Safe Use of Pet Medications
• AVMA Pet Owner Resources
• MSD Veterinary Manual Pet Owner Version
• AAHA Pet Owner Resources

Related Articles

• What to Do If Your Dog Has a Seizure After Starting Medication
• What to Do If Your Dog Has Diarrhea After Starting Antibiotics
• What to Do If Your Dog Is Lethargic After Starting a New Medication
• What to Do If Your Dog Vomits After Taking Medication
• What to Do If Your Dog's Medication Is Causing Loss of Appetite

This article is general educational information for pet owners. It is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, examination, or treatment. If your pet is showing severe or rapidly worsening signs, contact an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.