Dog Respiratory Questions and AnswersQ: A neighbor of mine told me that I should never let my dog play with balls because it could swallow the ball and choke.
A: As long as the ball is large enough not to fit into your dog's throat you really shouldn't have any worries. However it is true that you should never let your dog play with any toy that is small enough for him to swallow as it could become stuck in its airway.Q: Zorro my golden retriever is 12 years old and anytime I try and take him for a walk or any other form of exercise he always begins panting heavily gasping and wheezing. Is this just because he is getting old?
A: Though Zorro is definitely getting on in years; he probably is suffering from some blockage that is not allowing him to get enough oxygen into his lungs. It could be a paralysis in the larynx or even a collapse. Take him to the veterinarian for a check up immediately to prevent the problem from worsening. | 
