Asthma is a troublesome condition that one suffers from, and it is common for dogs. While asthma is not a common condition among dogs, it still affects them. In this article, we will look at dog asthma and explore its symptoms, causes, treatments, and preventive measures. It is the perfect platform to ask, ”Can dogs get asthma?”?
What is asthma in dogs?
Asthma is a chronic condition in which the lungs become inflamed, swollen, and, at times, blocked, making one breathe irregularly. Sometimes, when allergens or irritants induce that inflammatory airway disease, one gets coughing spells, wheezing, and even difficulty breathing. It’s not typical, but most going into dog breeds might fall ill at any age or with any breed.
However, certain breeds would be more susceptible to respiratory problems than others. The understanding of its meaning would help you care for your pet better and act when you see an initial symptom come up.
Can Dogs Get Asthma?
Unlike humans or cats, asthma in dogs is not very popular. When it occurs, however, it is typically tied to environmental challenges or some other health problem. Although the evidence is scanty, there is almost universal agreement among veterinarians that, though exceptionally rare, it constitutes a serious condition meriting treatment.
Dogs are not so prone to asthma, and so its diagnosis is often late. It is the privilege of pet owners to get quizzed in some cases.
Symptoms of asthma in dogs
Recognizing the symptoms of asthma in dogs will enable you to react faster. The symptoms can range from mild to extreme. A few common symptoms include:
Coughing: Recurrent or continuous cough indicates asthma. It may be more of a dry-sounding cough or a hacking.
Wheezing: This term simply means a whistling sound during breathing. It’s usually when your dog exhales.
Dyspnea: Your pet breathes faster than usual or has trouble breathing. You will notice more strenuous movements on the sides as it breathes.
Lethargic: Brings the asthmatic dog along with any other lethargic animal-inactive, taking more effort to breathe, therefore using energy.
Blue Gums: Shows special indications about a particular thing, which is to say, in this case, that it’s immediate care required for the lack of oxygen intake for the dog.
Subtle Symptoms Sometimes the signs are less obvious. This could simply include the occasional cough or mild wheezing. These may be quite easy to miss but not to be ignored. This will inevitably worsen when it is left untreated, resulting in more severe episodes.
When to Seek Veterinary Care If you observe these symptoms, especially blue gums or extreme shortness of breath, then contact your vet immediately. If asthma is not treated quickly, it can be life-threatening. It’s always better to be safe with regard to your pets and their health.
Read also: Can Dogs Have Strokes?
Causes of asthma in dogs
Understanding the reasons responsible for asthma in dogs will help protect your pet. Common causes include the following:
Environmental Triggers
Pollen: Just as in people, dogs can react allergically to pollen, leading to respiratory inflammation.
Dust and mould: Poor air quality may irritate your dog’s lungs, and dust mites and mould spores are common indoor allergens.
Smoke: A short time of exposure to cigarette smoke or fire smoke can lead to asthma.
Strong Odours: Even perfumes, cleaning products, or aerosols can be irritants alike. So avoid using heavily scented products at home around the dog.
Breeding and genetic factors
Some of the breeds that easily fall prey to respiratory troubles often have a flat face, such as the Bulldog and the Pug. Genetics may be the factor in a dog’s possibility of having asthma. Having a family history of respiratory problems could still put dogs at greater risk.
Other contributing factors
Obesity: Weight puts pressure on the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Infection: There is inflammation and increased sensitivity in the airway due to respiratory infections.
Stress: High-stress levels or anxiety make it difficult for your pet to breathe, which includes asthma.
How to diagnose asthma in dogs
If you suspect that your dog has asthma, it is possible to get an accurate diagnosis from a veterinarian. Below is the most common outline of this procedure:
Veterinary Examination
Your vet would ask about your dog’s symptoms along with its medical history. The vet would perform a physical examination for signs of respiratory distress. The vet may listen to your dog’s lungs with a stethoscope to detect wheezing or other abnormalities.
Diagnostic Tools
An X-ray is one of the tests your vet may perform to rule out other conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, or heart disease. Lung obstruction and lung inflammation can be visualized on an X-ray picture.
Blood Tests: To check for infections, allergies, or some other underlying issue.
Bronchoscopy is the examination of the airways with a small camera and sample collection if necessary.
Allergy Testing: Identifying specific allergens can help tailor the treatment plan.
Accurate diagnosis is very important, as some conditions mimic asthma symptoms but are under different treatments.
Asthma treatment for dogs
The therapies for asthma in dogs can be different for effective prevention of attacks, such as in cases when most cases report asthmatic signs. Here are the general treatment modalities:
Medications
Bronchodilator: These will work to expand airways and make it easier for your dog to breathe during an attack.
Corticosteroids: These will again suppress the inflammation in the lungs and are often used as a long-term solution.
Antihistamines: These can manage a dog’s asthma which is usually triggered by an allergy.
Your vet will decide which medicine best applies depending on the condition of your dog. Just make sure to also follow the prescribed dosage and the schedule for administering the drug.
Canine Inhalers
Yes, dogs can also be given inhalers! This is exactly the inhaler to keep inside the house for chronic asthmatic cases. A spacer device is normally utilized to administer inhaled medicines through an inhaler. This might initially appear awkward, but most crazy cat owners will tell you that their dogs adjust pretty well to this form of very human-type therapy.
Personal Changes
Very easy changes can have a very powerful influence. Make your house rules neat for your dog, do not smoke in the house, and try not to expose them to pollen and dust. Regular exercise and optimal body weight also improve respiratory health in dogs.
Emergency Interventions
In very serious cases, your vet may use oxygen therapy or render other treatments during an asthma attack. What you do in an emergency can sometimes be a lifesaver for your dog, so always keep the emergency numbers of your vet close by.
Asthma prevention in dogs
Though there are ways to prevent it, complete prevention is impossible. Risk reduction may be done through
Avoidance of Environmental Triggers
Vacuum the house occasionally and fit HEPA filters to keep it dust-free.
Avoid perfumed products, including but not limited to perfumes, candles, or air fresheners.
Open a window to purify the atmosphere and free it from airborne allergens.
Avoid outdoor activities when pollen counts are high.
Healthy Lifestyle Pointers
Shedding excess weight relieves the respiratory tract of strain.
Feed the balanced diet so that there can be immunity development as well as nutrition against the general health condition.
Exercise regularly, but be cautious of not tiring them out, especially in breeds that are predisposed to breathing issues.
Periodic Visits to the Vet
The earlier one detects a problem, the better. Most of the time, visits to the vet for check-ups prevent mild asthmatic attacks from developing into major ones. Periodic checking may be recommended by the vet depending on the response from treatment to readjust medication as necessary.
Living with an Asthmatic Dog
If your dog has asthma, you must treat it daily. Here is how:
Every day renews
Check your dog for symptoms and follow your vet’s treatment plan. Maintain a regular schedule in administering medications and prevent exposure to the triggers. Keep a record of any asthma attacks to share with your vet during checkups.
Dog Owner Support
As stubborn as everything else, managing an asthmatic dog isn’t unique. They can find motivation and inspiration from other pet owners who have gone through similar experiences in online forums and support groups. In sharing experiences, you also learn new ways of caring for your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is asthma curable in dogs?
Not exactly, but a proper treatment with a healthy lifestyle can control it.
What will I do if my dog suffers from an asthma attack?
Stay calm. Follow the emergency instructions from your veterinarian. Give the medications you have been told to give and then call your vet right away.
Conclusion
Dog asthma, if left untreated, is a very serious condition that could affect the quality of unfulfilled life expectancy in dogs. Through attention and treatment, however, dogs can be content and live in excellent health. Therefore, it is very important to know the signs, causes, and treatments of the condition because they will help in quick actions taken to manage asthma.
Consult your vet to get a complete diagnosis and treatment plan for your dog if you think it has asthma. Meanwhile, share this article with fellow dog owners and help widen their understanding of dogs having asthma.
