Hey everyone!

I’m brand new to the forum—probably should’ve joined a looooong time ago. I have a 5 and a half year old husky who only recently started panting “heavily” after a hike/walk. We walked around the park in 50-60 degree weather last night and after we got home he panted heavier and quicker than usual but only when he was up and excited about the cats fighting. While resting he didn’t pant at all. Is my husky a little out of shape or do you think this is cause for more concern?

Thanks!

Overweight?

He has definitely gained weight since getting neutered about a year ago but not at all overweight. He just went to the vet yesterday for some prostate issues and his physical was normal. His panting has never lasted more than 10 minutes after a walk in the past. I noticed it after a hike about 3 weeks and again last night after walking a little more than normal.

If he was up and panting because the cats were up to something then it's more than likely excitement and that's all. I assume you told the vet and they didn't find anything. If he pants super heavy when laying down then I would be more inclined to worry. That can be heart issues or fluid on the lungs sometimes. That stuff though will pop up during a general exam though, or should if your vet does any listening with a scope.

my guy breathes heavily (pants) when excited.

For instance, passing another dog on a walk! He is trained to walk nicely beside me when we pass, but I hear him panting!

So my guess is that your dog is excited by the cats fighting, it maybe triggered some kind of instinct in him ( hopefully play drive, not prey drive!)

I have only recently noticed a much quicker and intense pant after a longer than usual walk or hike that persists for hours afterward. It isn’t constant, like when he is resting, but I do notice it for an extended amount of time after. He is fine the next day so I am wondering if it is from overexertion.

I am taking him on a little dogcation this weekend to Panama City beach and I’m a little worried about him getting too worked up while I’m away from home but plan on keeping water and a bowl on me.

It could be that he is overheated and taking some time to cool down?
I'm not sure how warm your house is or how warm the weather is.

Hmm, if not warm temperatures, then in a human I'd wonder about heart or lung issues...
But since you said his vet check was clear, I don't know!
Hopefully it's not anything serious like that.

A dogcation sounds great!

( PS When you say "walk" you mean "walk" right? You are not jogging/running? It seems hard to imagine that he could get overexertion from an onleash walk with a human..I think that's barely exercise, for them.)

Another possibility is that he's in pain. Any hip or other joint issues?