Can pectus excavatum affect my pet's breathing or activity level?

It can. A collapsed chest wall may reduce the usable space in the chest cavity, causing laboured breathing or reduced exercise tolerance. In severe cases, a vet should assess whether heart and lung function is affected and recommend appropriate tests or treatment.

How do vets usually check whether it is pectus excavatum?

The vet will usually start with a physical examination and chest X-rays. CT scans or blood tests may be recommended when needed to understand the chest structure and organ status, then decide on monitoring or referral.

Does pectus excavatum always require surgery?

Not always. Mild pectus excavatum may be managed with monitoring and supportive care. If breathing or heart function is clearly affected, referral for surgery may be considered. The final decision should be made after assessment by a veterinary specialist.

How much do the tests and treatment usually cost?

Costs vary by clinic and region — ask your vet for an estimate before proceeding.

Disease Guide

Pectus Excavatum in Dogs and Cats: Breathing, Vomiting, Imaging & Care Guide [2025]

A sunken breastbone can affect breathing and may need surgical correction in severe cases

Take 1 minute to check the symptoms first

Last updated: 2026/01/06

Pethealthmap Editorial Team

Sources: ACVIM, WSAVA, National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital

When to See a Vet

Seek immediate emergency care

•Persistent severe respiratory distress or inability to breathe comfortably at rest
•Visibly blue or gray-purple lips or gums
•Sudden collapse or extreme weakness upon exercise or standing

Schedule a clinic visit soon (within 24–72 hours)

•Repeated vomiting or frequent regurgitation after eating
•Noticeable weekly weight loss or failure to grow
•Persistent dry cough or obvious shortness of breath after exercise

01What symptoms suggest something is wrong?

A collapsed chest wall, commonly called pectus excavatum, can reduce chest cavity space and often shows up as breathing- or feeding-related signs.

Repeated vomiting or bringing up food easily after eating
Noticeable weight loss or poor growth, developing more slowly than littermates or pets of the same age
Persistent dry cough, wheezing, or obvious panting after exercise
Purple or bluish-grey changes in the lips or gums
A vet may detect a heart murmur or irregular heartbeat on auscultation
Markedly reduced energy and activity, with less willingness to move around
If any of these problems are present, arrange a veterinary consultation

Seek emergency care immediately if you notice the following symptoms:

⚠️ Rapid or difficult breathing, or being unable to rest calmly
⚠️ Obvious colour change in the lips or gums (purple or bluish-grey)
⚠️ Sudden fainting, weakness, or collapse during exercise or when getting up

02How can you assess changes at home? Key observations and when to seek emergency care

Ongoing observation and detailed notes at home can help your vet quickly understand the condition and choose the right treatment direction.

Record how often vomiting occurs, when it happens, and whether it contains blood or food
Measure and write down body weight and growth trends at the same time each week
Use your phone to take short videos of coughing or panting, both at rest and during activity
Watch for daily changes in appetite, water intake, and energy level
Measure and record the resting respiratory rate (breaths per minute) for comparison
Bring these records and videos to the appointment to help your vet assess the condition

03How will the vet diagnose it? Common tests

After presentation to the clinic, imaging and laboratory tests are commonly used to confirm chest shape and how much the organs are affected.

Physical examination

full auscultation, palpation, and breathing assessment

Chest X-rays

to assess the degree of chest wall depression and view the lungs and heart

Computed tomography (CT)

detailed assessment of chest structures when needed

Blood and biochemistry tests

to assess overall health and surgical risk

Urinalysis

to rule out metabolic or infectious problems

Referral to a cardiothoracic surgeon or cardiology specialist for further assessment when needed

04What treatment and care are needed after diagnosis? Medication, diet changes, and home care

Treatment depends on severity and may include conservative monitoring or referral for specialist surgery. Post-operative and long-term follow-up are both important.

Use medication and supportive care to control symptoms, with regular follow-up visits
Adjust diet and nutrition to reduce vomiting and maintain body weight
If surgery is needed, your vet may assess and refer your pet to a cardiothoracic or surgical specialist
Regular imaging and clinical follow-up are needed after surgery or with conservative management
Home care should allow your pet plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity
Regular chest or cardiology specialist rechecks are recommended as directed by your vet

05What should you prepare before seeing the vet? Key information that helps identify the cause

List the vomiting frequency, timing of each episode, and the circumstances around it

Write down when signs first appeared, how the condition has changed, and any worsening

Bring recent weight records and details of diet and feeding routine

Prepare a list of current medications, supplements, and any allergy history

Bring any previous X-rays or imaging reports if available

Use a secure carrier and call ahead to book the specialist appointment

This content is for reference only and cannot replace a professional veterinary diagnosis. If your pet shows signs of illness, please seek veterinary care promptly.