FAQ

What happens during a Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFGS) assessment?

The RFGS includes two main parts:

  1. Listening to breathing at rest
    The veterinarian listens for signs like snoring, wheezing, stridor (high-pitched breathing), or excessive panting.

  2. A short, controlled exercise test
    Your dog walks or trots on a lead for a few minutes (usually around 3 minutes).
    After the walk, the veterinarian evaluates your dog’s breathing again — checking recovery time, airway noise, and effort.

This gentle test is safe and designed to mimic normal activity your dog would experience at home. A pre-screen chest x-ray may be required.

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