Potential Reasons Why Your Dog is Wheezing
In the meantime, however, you may find yourself wondering what could be causing your dog to wheeze. In this article, we’ll explain some of the most common causes of this condition so you can better know what to expect when you get to the vet.
Six common causes of dog wheezing are:
If your dog has seasonal allergies, he may start wheezing when allergens become more common outdoors. He may also wheeze if he comes into contact with plants or other contaminants that aggravate this condition. In most cases, this is fairly normal, but your vet can give you more information.
If your dog begins wheezing after being bitten, stung, or coming into contact with an allergen and he seems to be having difficulty breathing, this could be a sign of anaphylaxis. You should take him to the emergency vet if you think this could be what’s going on.
If you have an older dog who has started wheezing and coughing more frequently than usual, this could be an indicator that he has heart disease such as congestive heart failure. As this condition worsens, dogs develop fluid in their lungs which causes an increase in both wheezing and coughing. You may notice your dog coughing up fluid in some cases as well.
Congestive heart failure does not have a cure, but it can be managed with medication and the right treatment. Your vet will give you more information about the right course of action for your dog.
Some dogs, especially smaller breeds with short noses, may be prone to developing a collapsed trachea later in life. This occurs when the dog’s trachea collapses against itself due to a weakening of the cartilage in the trachea. This condition can be managed with medication and proper treatment with the help of your vet.
If your dog has a known collapsed trachea, you may notice him wheezing when he’s been excited or more active than usual. He may also snore more often in his sleep with this condition. Work with your vet to ensure your dog remains as healthy as possible despite this problem.
Bronchitis can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions, including many of the diseases dogs can be vaccinated for. However, bronchitis can sometimes also occur on its own and may be linked to allergies in some dogs. If your dog suffers from bronchitis, it could cause the airways to develop scarring, which can in turn cause more coughing and wheezing in your pet.
If your vet suspects bronchitis is the underlying cause of your dog’s wheezing, he will be given antibiotics and may be put on steroids or some other type of treatment to aggressively target the problem.
If you believe your dog may have inhaled a foreign object, such as part of a toy he might have been chewing on, this is an emergency and requires the attention of an emergency vet right away.
When this happens, your dog’s airways may become fully or partially obstructed. If they are fully obstructed, he may struggle to breathe and may quickly lose consciousness. However, if they are partially obstructed, he may start wheezing heavily, may pace and be unable to relax even if he tries, and may become extremely afraid or anxious.
Many dog diseases and illnesses can cause wheezing. One of the most common of these is heartworm, which can eventually escape beyond the dog’s heart and start infecting his lungs as well. Kennel cough is another common cause of wheezing, especially in dogs who have recently been spending time around other dogs.
One of the best ways to prevent these issues in your dog is to have him vaccinated, keep up with his booster shots and and administer your dog’s preventatives as directed by your veterinarian.
What Does A Wheezing Dog Sound Like?
If your dog is making wheezing noises, it can certainly be alarming. The sound is different than a cough or sneeze, and sounds very similar to a wheezing sound a human would make. A wheezing dog will make a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing, usually on an exhale.
If your dog is in distress, they may try to find a spot to lay down to try to get their breathing under control.
Canine chronic bronchitis is a condition that affects the lower airways in a dog’s lungs. In bronchitis, inflammation causes the airways to swell and release mucous, ultimately causing the airways to narrow. The main symptom of bronchitis is coughing (an attempt to clear the airways), however, as the condition worsens, dogs will have difficulty breathing and may begin to wheeze when exhaling.
A collapsed trachea is a chronic condition in dogs that affects the windpipe (trachea). Weak cartilage in the supportive rings around the trachea collapse, leading to mild to severe obstruction of a dog’s airway. Symptoms of this condition including a honking cough and abnormal breathing sounds, including wheezing.
Airborne allergens such as pollen, mold, and dust can cause a dog to wheeze. When these allergens enter the dog’s airways, an allergic response may cause the airway to swell, making breathing difficult.2
Kennel cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that causes irritation in the airways. The most common symptom is a persistent dry cough, but breathing difficulties such as wheezing can also develop or worsen with exercise.
Upper respiratory tract infections are similar to a cold or flu in humans and can cause wheezing in dogs. The symptoms of these infections usually include coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing (including wheezing), and low exercise tolerance.3
Various heart diseases such as cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and mitral valve disease can cause wheezing in older dogs and occasionally younger dogs. These diseases can cause dogs to have difficulty breathing due to lethargy and exercise intolerance, which may cause wheezing.4
Foreign bodies stuck in your dog’s windpipe can cause wheezing due to partial obstruction of the airway. These objects could include bone fragments, large pieces of food, toys, sticks, or other objects your dog might find around the house or yard. This is especially a problem in younger dogs who like to chew on just about anything, so if you notice your puppy wheezing, take action right away.
What does wheezing sound like?
Wheezing is a high-pitched sound that has a whistle or squeaky quality at the moment of inspiration (breathing in) or expiration (breathing out). The sound is caused by air being forced through airways that have narrowed. It’s often easier to hear wheezing when a dog exhales because the airways tend to narrow more during this phase of breathing. Dog wheezing may occur with other signs of an airway problem, such as at the end of a cough or when sneezing. Some dogs, or even humans, produce wheezing sounds only when snoring. However, when it happens continuously during wakefulness, there is an underlying biological change that may need attention.
Why Is My Dog Wheezing – What Could Cause This?
You wake up one morning and hear your pup coughing and wheezing. Your first instinct may be to panic, but in many cases, wheezing may only be the result of seasonal allergies or bacteria.
Wheezing is a condition that affects the respiratory tract and causes symptoms that include nasal discharge, coughing, whistling, and difficulty breathing. It’s prevalent among certain dog breeds but can occur in all dogs. In this article, we’ll go over the main causes of dog wheezing and show you how you can deal with it.