Just like in people, dogs can develop pneumonia. Pneumonia in dogs can be serious and may become severe if left untreated. This condition affects the respiratory system, including the lungs and airways and interferes with your dog’s ability to breathe normally.
Dog pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs and airways that causes breathing difficulties and deficiency of oxygen in the blood. There are many possible causes. The most common cause of pneumonia is a viral infection of the lower respiratory tract.
The signs of pneumonia in dogs are often the same as in people. Anytime the lower respiratory tract is compromised there may be difficulty breathing. This is most easily recognized with short and shallow breaths. If you see the signs in your dog, then you must seek veterinary treatment.
Types of Pneumonia in Dogs
Infectious Pneumonia
Infectious pneumonia (also known as bacterial pneumonia) is the most common type of pneumonia in dogs. The condition is caused by a bacterial or viral infection in your dog’s airways.
Bordetella bronchiseptica is one of the bacteria most commonly linked to infectious pneumonia in dogs. They can easily be transmitted between dogs that are very young, senior, or that have a compromised immune system.
Symptoms include;
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
- Nasal whistling
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- High fever
- Runny nose
- Difficulty exercising
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Irregular breathing
- Dehydration
Aspiration Pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection caused by inhalation of foreign material. The severity of the inflammation depends on the material inhaled, the type of bacteria inhaled, and the distribution of foreign material in the lungs.
A common cause of aspiration pneumonia is the improper administration of liquid medicines
The following are signs of aspiration pneumonia in dogs:
- Coughing
- Irregular breathing
- Runny nose
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Nasal whistling
- High fever
- Difficulty exercising
- Wheezing
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
Treatment for Pneumonia in Dogs
Intravenous fluid therapy
IV fluids are given to keep you dog hydrated and keep the respiratory secretions wet.
Antibiotic therapy
Antibiotics that can penetrate the pus and mucus are given to kill the bacteria.
If the patient is sick enough for hospitalization, antibiotics are typically given as injections. This is so as to maximize absorption into the body.
Oxygen
Dogs suffering from a severe case of pneumonia may need to be hospitalized and provided with supplemental oxygen
Preventing Pneumonia in Dogs
The best way to prevent a dog from developing bacterial or viral pneumonia is to vaccinate it for these diseases.
The most common causes of pneumonia have vaccines available for them. Keep your dog out of knownn infected area as recommended.
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