Don't bite my head off, but I need advice

[AmbrosiaCreamedMice]

Have a new foster dog tonight. He's approx 6 months. He's asleep cuddled up to my back, but panting for about two hours now and very fast heart-rate. He seems distressed even though he's asleep. Sounds like he's just been for a long run. Should I panic?

[Signet2012]

Dreaming ?? Mine sounds like he is doing a marathon sometimes and his heart goes wild.

[AmbrosiaCreamedMice]

Yes, maybe that was it. Walked around a bit and he jumped up bright as a button, had a good drink. His head feels hot, do dogs feel hot like children do if they've a high temperature?

Just want to keep him alive until the morning, when I can ring rescue/vet!

[Signet2012]

I'm not sure about temps in dogs. They do pant if hot. If he is drinking etc then I'd just see how he goes

[Ephiny]

I remember one of my (rescue) dogs panting constantly the first day we brought him home, I think it was just the stress of the new situation.

I'd keep an eye on him, but if he seems otherwise well there's probably no need to panic!

[MagratGarlik]

As Ephiny says, it is probably stress. We were warned about it from the rescue when we got dog2 and she spent the first couple of weeks panting really hard and drinking a lot, dp even videoed her and took the recording to the vet to see what she thought. It calmed down after a couple of weeks.

If you are concerned maybe a quick trip to the vet to check her out?