How did my dog get aspiration pneumonia? Tips and Tricks

Are Certain Dog Breeds Predisposed to Aspiration Pneumonia?

Certain breeds of dogs are more likely to develop pneumonia. Dogs with short noses, such as pugs and bulldogs, have a smaller trachea and risk getting food or water down into their lungs. Other breeds that are at a higher risk include:

Pugs

Shih Tzus

Dachshunds

Boxers

Cocker spaniels

Labrador retrievers

Old English sheepdogs

Beagles

Treatment for pneumonia in dogs depends on the severity of your dog’s symptoms and whether or not it has developed secondary infections.

Your dog will need to spend a few days or weeks at the vet’s office to receive treatment for this disease. Depending on the severity of your dog’s symptoms, it may receive the following treatments:

Antibiotics (to fight off any bacterial infections)

Vitamins and other medications (to help boost your dog’s immune system)

Steroids (to reduce inflammation in the lungs and trachea)

Intravenous fluids (to help boost your dog’s hydration)

Chest physiotherapy (to remove mucus or fluid that has built up in your dog’s lungs)

How do Vets Diagnose Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs?

If your dog has been diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, it will need to be hospitalized and treated immediately by a veterinarian. To properly diagnose this disease, your vet will first need to take a complete history of your dog’s health, including the onset and nature of its symptoms.

Your veterinarian will need to perform a complete physical examination on your dog, including listening to its heart and lungs with a stethoscope.

Your vet will also need to run some tests on your dog, including blood work and X-rays or an ultrasound of its chest.

Treatment of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs

Treatment for aspiration pneumonia contains several components, the majority of which are focused more on support than on addressing the condition itself. Antibiotics will be administered to fight any bacterial infection present, with broad spectrum medication given in cases where a culture could not be obtained. Depending on your dog’s condition, the veterinarian may recommend different treatment, with potential components including:

Fluid therapy – Proper hydration keeps the airway moist and encourages coughing, which helps remove pus and mucus from the respiratory tract.

Oxygen – In more severe cases, oxygen therapy may be needed to ensure that your dog is receiving enough air.

In some cases, your dog will need to be hospitalized until he is stable enough to transition to homecare. If there is an underlying cause for the aspiration pneumonia, such as a cleft palate or a tumor, that condition will also need to be addressed in order to prevent a reoccurrence of pneumonia. The prognosis for aspiration pneumonia is generally good but varies depending on the cause of the vomiting.

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Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs

Aspiration pneumonia in dogs is a severe condition that can lead to death. If you have a dog, it’s essential to know the signs of aspiration pneumonia and what you can do about it.

It’s imperative to know how this disease affects your pet so you can get them the treatment they need as soon as possible before things get worse.

Let’s take a look at what causes this illness and how you can help prevent it from happening again in the future!