Are Respiratory Problems in Dogs Serious? Treatment And More!

For pet parents, watching their dogs struggling to breathe is really painful and scary. We all want them to cherish and live a healthy, cheerful life. 

But unfortunately, just like humans, canines can also suffer from lung diseases. 

Inflammation of the airway tracts or fluid buildup in the lungs can directly attack dogs’ lungs and respiratory systems, which results in severe coughing, gagging, and wheezing. 

It’s important to understand different respiratory problems in dogs, including their causes and treatment. 

This blog provides basic information about canine lung diseases. 

What’s Ahead? 

Read on to find out treatment options, causes, symptoms, and how long a dog with a specific lung disease will live. 

We’ve also added a life expectancy graph of dog respiratory diseases in the end. 

A Quick Overview of Canine Respiratory Tracts 

Dog lung diseases are divided into two main parts: the upper and lower airway tracts. These both work together to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream and exhale carbon dioxide from the lungs.

Upper airway tract  

This part of the dog’s respiratory system forms a passageway for the oxygen to reach the lungs. It includes nasal passages, nose, pharynx, sinuses, and larynx.

Lower airway tract 

The lower respiratory tract of the canines includes bronchi, bronchioles, trachea, and alveoli in the lungs. This part maintains the optimal oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange through the lungs. 

How are respiratory problems formed? 

Lung problems in dogs occur when the upper or lower tract is infected and disrupts the exchange of CO2 or O2. 

Here is an overview of different types of lung diseases in dogs based on the two major classifications of airway tracts: 

Upper Airway Problems

• Nasal Discharge
• Reverse Sneezing
• Kennel Cough
• Brachycephalic Syndrome
• Laryngeal Paralysis

Lower Airway Problems

• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Canine Asthma
• Collapse
• Pulmonary Edema

Let’s learn in detail!

Types of Upper Airway Problems in Dogs

Here are the details of upper airway problems in dogs: 

1. Nasal Discharge 

Like human flu, nasal discharge in dogs is accompanied by sneezing. It’s a condition where dogs experience a runny nose and blockage of the airway passages. Infections, pollen allergies, or foreign objects in the nasal passage can cause nasal discharge. 

Symptoms

• Coughing 
• Wheezing 
• Respiratory effort

Treatment and prevention  

• Decongestants 
• Removal of foreign bodies
• Antihistamines medication (in case of allergies) 
• Antibiotics (in case of bacterial infection) 

2. Reverse Sneezing

Reverse sneezing is also known as paroxysmal respiration. Dogs suffering from this condition rapidly inhale the air via their noses and produce a honking sound. The inflammation of the soft palate often causes this condition.   

Symptoms

• Goose-like honking sound

Treatment and prevention   

• Recovers on its own 
• Steam inhalation may help in some cases

3. Kennel Cough

This is one of the highly contagious and dangerous respiratory problems in dogs. The combination of different bacteria and viruses causes this disease, i.e., canine influenza, canine adenovirus type 2, and parainfluenza. It’s important to quarantine the infected dog to protect their fellow dogs and babies. 

Symptoms

• Coughing 
• Gagging 
• Lethargy

Treatment and prevention   

• Cough suppressants
• Kennel cough vaccine can help prevent infection

4. Brachycephalic Syndrome  

Brachycephalic Syndrome is a common upper tract respiratory disease in brachycephalic breeds. It’s also known as brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome. The abnormal shapes of the dog’s skull, stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, and Everted laryngeal saccules usually cause brachycephalic syndrome. 

Symptoms

• Difficulty breathing
• Snoring
• Heat intolerance

Treatment and prevention  

• Surgery in severe cases
• Weight management
• Keeping cool in hot weather

5. Laryngeal Paralysis

This condition occurs when the nerves that control the dog’s voice box and larynx are disrupted. This affects the cartilage and forces it to malfunction during breathing. 

Dogs of any breed can have this disease, but it is usually common in Weimaraners, Great Dane Labrador Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Golden Retrievers. 

Symptoms

• Hoarse bark
• Exercise intolerance

Treatment and prevention   

• Surgery 
• Medications to reduce inflammation

Type of Lower Airway Problems in Dogs 

Now, let’s discuss the different types of lower airway problems in dogs: 

1. Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a severe inflammation of the dog’s bronchial and trachea airways. It can extend from the airways to the lungs and even build up secretions or mucus, which can cause serious respiratory issues. Dogs of different breeds and all ages can develop this disease. 

Symptoms 

• Wheezing
• Coughing 
• Increased respiratory effort

Treatment and Care 

• Bronchodilators 
• Cough suppressants
• Antibiotics (in case of bacterial infection)

2. Pneumonia

Pneumonia occurs due to viral (e.g., canine distemper, canine influenza virus, etc.) or bacterial infections (e.g., kennel cough). It causes inflammation in the lungs/airways and builds puss and fluid. This ultimately blocks the airways and causes oxygen deficiency in the blood. 

Symptoms 

• Fever
• Coughing 
• Lethargy
• Rapid breathing

Treatment and Care 

• Oxygen therapy 
• Supportive care 
• Medication to treat inflammation 
• Antibiotics (in case of bacterial infection)

3. Canine Asthma

Dogs that are allergic to smoke, cigarettes, fog, or any other irritant can experience asthma attacks. It’s a chronic and allergic disease that narrows the dog’s airways and makes it hard for them to breathe. 

Symptoms 

• Wheezing 
• Continuous cough
• Rapid breathing 
• Heavy panting 
• Blue colored gums 

Treatment and Care 

• Bronchodilators
• Corticosteroids 
• Allergy management

Does your dog have a problem with heavy panting, especially at night? Read our detailed guide on night time panting in dogs for more information.

4. Tracheal Collapse

Tracheal collapse is most common among Pomeranians, poodles, Toy, and Chihuahua dog breeds. The trachea is the part of the respiratory system responsible for transferring air, and when it weakens, it can collapse. This results in serious respiratory problems in dogs. 

Symptoms 

• Breathing difficulties 
• Rapid breathing
• Blue gums

Treatment and Care 

• Emergency care
• Oxygen therapy

5. Pulmonary Edema

The buildup of fluid in a dog’s lungs due to underlying health issues is called pulmonary edema. Risk factors of this serious canine infection include obesity, lack of sodium in the diet, and chronic heart disease. 

Symptoms 

• Weakness
• Weak pulse
• Fever 
• Labored breathing 
• Coughing 

Treatment and Care 

• Medications 
• Supportive care
• Diuretics (for heart failure) 
• Oxygen therapy

It’s important to note that these health conditions should be addressed and treated immediately once symptoms appear. Otherwise, they can proceed to very serious health conditions. 

Life Expectancy of Affected Dogs

Some of the respiratory problems in dogs can be dangerous. However, a few recover with proper treatment without posing serious threats to the pet patient’s life. 

The graph given below highlights the risk of death from respiratory diseases in dogs: 

As you can see, nasal discharge and reverse sneezing don’t seriously threaten dogs. However, collapse and Pulmonary Edema can kill our beloved dogs. 

To Sum Up! 

From the above discussion, to conclude, we can say that it’s important to take preliminary measures to protect your dogs from serious and contagious diseases. 

If your dog shows symptoms of lung disease, contact a qualified veterinarian for veterinary consultation immediately. 

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