What can excessive panting in a dog indicate during rehabilitation?

Excessive panting in a dog during rehabilitation is a sign that the dog may be experiencing over-exertion. Panting is a natural physiological response that dogs use to regulate their body temperature and to increase oxygen intake when they are under stress or exerting themselves physically. In the context of rehabilitation, if a dog is panting excessively, it often indicates that they may be pushing themselves too hard or that the intensity of the activity is beyond their comfort level or physical capacity.

Recognizing this sign is crucial for the rehabilitation process, as it allows the handler or therapist to adjust the exercise regimen appropriately to ensure the dog's safety and to promote effective recovery. Continuing with rehabilitation despite signs of excessive panting could lead to fatigue, injury, or setbacks in the recovery process.

Other options such as increased hydration, excitement about therapy, or hunger do not accurately reflect the immediate need for intervention indicated by excessive panting. While hydration is important and can contribute to overall well-being, it is unlikely to be a direct cause of excessively panting during physical activity. Similarly, excitement would typically manifest in other behaviors aside from panting, and hunger does not correlate directly with the physical exertion levels that lead to panting.