What Is Pneumonia In Dogs
Just like us, our dogs can develop pneumonia that impacts the respiratory system, interfering with your poochs ability to breathe regularly. While some forms of pneumonia take more time to clear up than others, most dogs recover well with treatment.
That said, the condition can lead to serious issues if left untreated.
When To Contact A Vet
If youre noticing your dog or cat having any sort of change in breathing – effort, rate, cough, pale gums, etc. and suspect pneumonia, you should plan to call your vet as an exam is now a good idea. You can book a video call with us at FirstVet here to get an initial assessment and to help determine if any follow-up might be needed.
Bacterial Pneumonia In Dogs
Bacterial pneumonia is the most common diagnosis for dogs with severe respiratory disease, suggesting that there may be a more complicated relationship between the two.
Bacterial pneumonia is inflammation cells and fluid that accumulate in the lungs and airways, caused by pathogenic bacteria.
Although no one bacteria is fully responsible for bacterial pneumonia, some are more common than others.
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Treatment Of Canine Pneumonia
Treatment of canine pneumonia depends on how serious the disease is.
Dogs with pneumonia but with light symptoms can be treated at home. Usually the vet will prescribe medications such as antibiotics for bacterial infection.
The dog should continue to take antibiotics for at least three weeks. Usually, the vet would suggest weekly chest x-rays to make sure the condition is improving.
Even though the dog may have a nasty cough, try not to use cough suppressants because coughing is actually helpful for the dog. It can clear the airway by bringing up the mucus and pus and facilitate breathing.
For dogs with fever and signs of respiratory infection, they need hospitalization and urgent veterinary care. Treatment may include the use of antibiotics and intravenous fluid.
What Is The Treatment For Bacterial Pneumonia
The appropriate antibiotic treatment is determined by the results of the culture and sensitivity tests. These tests identify the specific bacterial species causing the infection and which type of antibiotics will combat this infection. Since the results of culture and sensitivity testing will not be available immediately, your veterinarian may begin treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic, such as doxycycline or amoxicillin, while awaiting the test results. It may be necessary to change the medication once the results are available. Your veterinarian will choose the appropriate antibiotics for your dog’s particular situation.
“Medications may be required for a prolonged period of time, depending on the specific type of infection and the seriousness of the condition.”
If your dog has respiratory distress or is dehydrated or anorexic , hospitalization for oxygen therapy and/or intravenous fluids and medications may be necessary.
If your dog is stable enough to be treated as an outpatient, your veterinarian may also prescribe bronchodilators, expectorants, or other medications to control specific symptoms. Medications may be required for a prolonged period of time, depending on the specific type of infection and the seriousness of the condition.
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Diagnosing Pneumonia In Dogs
If you suspect your dog may have pneumonia, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Your vet will do a physical exam and closely listen to your dogs heart and lungs with their stethoscope.
If they suspect pneumonia, x-rays will be needed to look at your dogs lungs.
Taking x-rays will help confirm the diagnosis, as well as give an idea as to the underlying cause of the pneumonia.
If your dogs pneumonia progresses without responding to treatment, your vet may recommend more extensive diagnostics to get to the root of the problem.
These include bronchoscopy and tracheal lavage. These procedures can allow your vet to take samples of your dogs airways for more specific testing to determine if the pneumonia is due to a resistant bacterial infection, a persistent virus, or potentially lung cancer.
What Is The Treatment For Pneumonia In Dogs
If your dog has been diagnosed with either infectious bacterial or aspiration pneumonia your vet may prescribe medications to help control symptoms such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for fever and pain, and bronchodilators and expectorants for coughing and breathing issues. Your dog may need to be hospitalized and provided with fluid therapy, supplemental oxygen, or intravenous antibiotics if they are suffering from a particularly severe case of pneumonia.
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Is It Pneumonia Or The Flu
The symptoms of canine influenza are similar to those of pneumonia. They can include fever, moist or dry coughing, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and a lack of appetite. It can be difficult to tell at home what is causing your dog’s illness. That’s why it’s important to take them to the veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment plan.
Preventing Aspiration Pneumonia In Dogs
If your dog suffers from respiratory problems, there are some steps you can take to help keep it safe from getting pneumonia. The following steps will help maintain its respiratory system in good shape:
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Is Treatment Available For Pneumonia In Dogs
If your dog has been diagnosed with either infectious bacterial or aspiration pneumonia your veterinarian will likely prescribe medications to help control symptoms such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for fever and pain, and bronchodilators and expectorants for coughing and breathing issues. Your dog may need to be hospitalized and provided with fluid therapy, supplemental oxygen, or intravenous antibiotics if they are suffering from a particularly severe case of pneumonia.
How Can I Help My Dog To Recover From Pneumonia
Your vet will provide you with specific instruction on caring for your dog during their recovery however typical instructions for care include:
- Restricting your dog’s activities while they recover.
- Keeping other pets and small children away from your dog in order in order to allow them to get plenty of rest.
- Supplying plenty of fresh water to help keep them hydrated.
- Treating your dog with a steam treatment by running a hot shower while you sit with your dog in the bathroom or shower room.
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Remedial Measures And Prevention Of The Disease
In the room where the dog lives, there should be cool clean air, and for the rest of the dog you need not too soft hypoallergenic bedding. Physical and moral stress should be reduced, that is, if it is a hunting or hound dog, then you need to significantly limit its activity, and for other breeds, slightly reduce the duration and intensity of walks.
It is very important to strictly adhere to the diet and drinking regimen prescribed by the veterinarian. It is also necessary that your pet is not subjected to stress in the process of recovery, so try not to swear at him and communicate with him more.
To avoid such a terrible disease as pulmonary edema in a dog, provide it with proper care and a good room for housing, evenly alternate loads and rest, follow the vaccination schedule and treat the diseases that have appeared in time, and all this will be a good prevention of the occurrence of this disease.
Remember a quick call to the veterinarian at the first appearance of shortness of breath, cough or atypical breathing of the dog, is a guarantee that your pet will survive, recover, and will continue to please your whole family!
Signs Of Pneumonia In Dogs
Dogs with pneumonia will often display signs similar to people when they have this condition. Signs of pneumonia in dogs include:
- Lethargy
- Green, yellow or bloody mucus coming from the nose or after a cough
- Loss of appetite
- Blue, grey or purple mucus membranes
- Hyperventilating
Mucus membranes can become tinged with purple, grey or blue if oxygenation is extremely poor. Lethargy and fatigue are also common symptoms. Because a dog wont be able to smell its food and wont feel well, he may experience lack or loss of appetite.
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Its More Than Just A Cold Its A Respiratory Illness That Affects Canines And Humans Heres What You Need To Know About Pneumonia In Dogs
Although dogs are affected by different pathogens than humans are, they can still get sick with some of the same diseases. Pneumonia, for example, is a respiratory illness that can affect dogs. In fact, there are two different types of pneumonia in dogs bacterial and aspiration keep reading to learn more.
What is Pneumonia in Dogs?
The canine respiratory system is divided into two parts the upper respiratory tract and the lower. The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose, throat, and trachea while the lower respiratory tract consists of the smaller airways as well as the air sacs in the lungs themselves known as alveoli. Pneumonia is a condition in which the lungs or the lower respiratory tract become inflamed. When both the lungs and the airways become inflamed it is called bronchopneumonia.
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What is the Difference Between Bacterial and Aspiration Pneumonia?
In most cases of canine pneumonia, the underlying cause is a bacterial infection. There are many different strains of bacteria that can contribute to pneumonia in dogs but the most common are Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella multocida, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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How is Pneumonia in Dogs Treated?
Kate Barrington
How Is Multifocal Pneumonia Treated
Doctors like to try to catch pneumonia early so that they can treat it appropriately and catch it before it progresses too far, Dr. Gates says. But the actual treatment depends on whats causing the pneumonia in the first place. Youve got to find the cause, Dr. Casciari says.
Once doctors figure out whats behind the pneumonia, theyll prescribe a treatment based on that. For patients with mild symptoms, treatment centers around rest, hydration, and good nutrition, Dr. Sood says. If the pneumonia is bacterial, the patient will be given antibiotics, she says. But, Dr. Sood points out, most patients with viral pneumonia do not require antibiotics. Instead, they may be treated with an antiviral medication like oseltamivir or remdesivir, depending on the cause of the infection. And, if a patient has fungal pneumonia, it will be treated with antifungal medication, Dr. Casciari says.
A persons overall health matters with recovery from multifocal pneumonia. Most healthy people with minimal underlying medical conditions usually recover from pneumonia with no issue over the course of several days, Dr. Sood says. Patients who have underlying medical conditions still may have good recovery but it may take longer. In very severe cases, pneumonia can cause death.
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Viral & Bacterial Infectious Pneumonia In Dogs
The most common type of pneumonia in dogs is infectious pneumonia . This form of pneumonia is caused by a viral or bacterial infection in the dog’s respiratory system.
One of the bacteria most commonly linked to infectious pneumonia in dogs is Bordetella bronchiseptica. This bacteria can easily be transmitted between dogs that have compromised immune systems, or dogs that are very young or old.
Symptoms of Bacterial Pneumonia in Dogs
- Breathing difficulties
- Lethargy
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
Symptoms of pneumonia should never be ignored. If you notice that your dog is displaying any of the symptoms listed above, contact your primary care veterinarian to schedule an examination for your pup. Be sure to let your vet know that you think your dog may have bacterial pneumonia when you call.
Dog Pneumonia Survival Rates
According to Veterinary Pet Insurance, dog pneumonia survival rates are as follows:
- 80% of dogs with mild, early-stage pneumonia survive.
- 80% of dogs with moderate, early-stage pneumonia survive.
- 50% of dogs with severe, early-stage pneumonia survive.
- Veterinary Pet Insurances data also indicated that dogs treated for pneumonia have a 10 % higher survival rate than dogs who are not.
Although the survival rates are low for dogs with pneumonia, there are treatments available that can significantly improve your dogs chances of living through this disease.
Aspiration pneumonia is a common and sometimes fatal complication of canine aspiration. Therefore, dogs with pneumonia should not be treated as outpatients but rather hospitalized for treatment.
If your dog is constantly coughing or having difficulty breathing, call your vet immediately to help you get them the necessary care to recover from this illness.
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Home Treatment For Pneumonia In Dogs
The following tips are recommended for home care:
Dog pneumonia recovery time can vary depending on the severity and underlying cause. Typically, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to months for complete recovery.
Helping Your Dog Recover From Pneumonia
Your vet will provide you with specific instruction on caring for your dog during their recovery from pneumonia, but typical instructions for care include:
- Supplying plenty of fresh water to help keep them hydrated during their recovery.
- Providing your dog with a steam treatment by running a hot shower while you sit with your dog in the shower room or bathroom.
- Restricting your dog’s activities while they recover.
- Keeping other pets and small children away from your dog in order in order to allow them to get adequate rest.
Note:The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
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What Is Infectious Pneumonia
Infectious pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia in dogs. The condition is caused by a bacterial or viral infection in your dogs airways.
One of the bacteria most commonly linked to infectious pneumonia in dogs is bordetella bronchiseptica, and it can easily be transmitted between dogs very young or senior dogs with a compromised immune system.
What Are The 4 Stages Of Pneumonia
There are four stages of pneumonia: the first stage consists of flu-like symptoms such as a cough and fever. The second stage includes more severe coughing that leads to chest pain and difficulty breathing. The third stage includes shortness of breath and high fever and the final stage includes becoming unresponsive, having seizures, or passing out.
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Can You Get The Flu From Your Dog
Dog flu is caused by a virus that can be transmitted to other dogs, but there are currently no cases where it has spread to humans. It is caused by a different type of virus than the one that makes us feel all achy and feverish. Because there have been rare, isolated reports of sick dogs infecting cats, ferrets, and guinea pigs, sick dogs should be safely isolated from other pets in the home. However, you don’t have to worry about contracting the flu from them.
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Treating Pneumonia In Dogs
After a pet has been diagnosed with the condition, youll likely want to know how to treat pneumonia in dogs. While pneumonia is a serious condition that may turn life-threatening, the condition is treatable with qualified medical attention, and most dogs will fully recover, although there is a danger the condition can reoccur. Recurring pneumonia is a higher risk if the vet is unable to determine the underlying cause.
Treatment for pneumonia will depend on the cause, as will the cost of treatment. For example, antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial infections and may need to be administered for three to four weeks, and perhaps a while after the infection dissipates. Your vet may also prescribe medications to prevent new infections from entering the lungs.
A pooch with pneumonia will typically need to be admitted to our animal hospital so we can monitor their breathing and provide medications. Close monitoring and a range of medications may be necessary to manage symptoms, from antibiotics to bronchodilators, expectorants and sometimes even steroids.
With aspiration pneumonia, the vet may try to use suction to remove the foreign material from the lungs thats causing the issue.
Pneumonia in Dogs: Home Treatment
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
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How Serious Is Pneumonia In Dogs
Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lungs, typically caused by bacteria. It is the second leading cause of death in dogs after cancer. Some cases need medical intervention to prevent breathing difficulties or death. Symptoms include fever, coughing, wheezing, and rapid breathing. If your dog shows symptoms for more than two days without getting better, you need to visit a veterinarian.