Common Dog Respiratory Illnesses & Infections
There are a number of different respiratory illnesses and conditions that can affect dogs, including:
Kennel cough, also referred to as Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious upper respiratory illness caused by several strains of bacteria and viruses. Dogs can spread it to one another in a variety of ways including airborne droplets, direct contact, or through contaminated surfaces (including water/food bowls).
Even though it is highly contagious, it is also highly treatable in most dogs. However, it can be more severe in puppies younger than six months of age and immunocompromised dogs.3
It can be challenging to diagnose kennel cough because sometimes dogs do not show symptoms.
Other conditions may present similar symptoms, such as a collapsing trachea, bronchitis, asthma, heart disease, and pneumonia. The latter can develop due to a weakened immune system which is why it’s vital to have a veterinarian assess your dog to identify the root of the symptoms.
If the case of a dry, hacking cough doesn’t appear to be a more serious condition, then in many cases the cough is harmless and will disappear in a couple of weeks. If kennel cough has been identified, rest and/or cough medication will be prescribed by your veterinarian. Inhaled antibiotics or bronchodilators may be prescribed to help control your dog’s cough and clear up the infection.
Kennel cough is often transmitted through bacteria. You can have your dog vaccinated for the bordetella bacterium, which is the most common factor in causing it. If you know that your dog is going to be routinely exposed to large groups of other dogs such as in boarding facilities, day care, canine sports, and training classes it is vital to get your pup vaccinated.4
Canine Distemper Virus (also known as Footpad or Hard Pad Disease) is a viral contagious and serious disease that affects a range of animal families. It is a virus that affects a dog’s upper and lower respiratory system as well as the nervous and gastrointestinal systems. It can also cause the pads of dogs’ feet to thicken or harden, hence the alternative names for the virus.
Dogs at any age are at risk of contracting Canine Distemper Virus, but puppies younger than four months old and dogs that have not been vaccinated are at the highest risk of the disease.
It is best identified early, especially if dogs are kept in close proximity to one another as it can spread quickly through airborne exposure (through sneezing or coughing).
It is vital to diagnose and treat distemper as soon as possible because it is often fatal. Dogs that survive can suffer from permanent, irreparable nervous system damage.
Unfortunately, treatment options are limited but vaccinations are available from your veterinarian. Treatment options include supportive care and prevention of secondary infections.
The best line of defence for preventing distemper in your dog is to have a series of vaccinations given to your dog while they are still a puppy. This will help build their immunity while their immune system is developing. Always make sure to keep up to date with all of your dog’s vaccinations and avoid gaps in their immunization schedule.
Keep shared food, water bowls, and equipment clean and sterile as this disease can be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces. Try to limit the interaction your dog has with wildlife populations; the virus also occurs in foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, mink, and ferrets and can be transmitted through this type of interaction.
Canine chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the respiratory system and over time permanent lung damage. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can occur in all breeds of dogs, but may be more common in small-breed and toy-breed dogs.
Unfortunately, bronchitis in dogs is irreversible, progresses slowly, and can’t be cured. However, there are treatments that can help manage the disease and slow progression.
Dogs with mild or moderate bronchitis may not regularly show visible symptoms even though the disease may be progressing and causing worsening lung damage.
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from chronic bronchitis, take them to the vet for a review of their medical history and a physical examination. The vet may perform other diagnostic tests such as X-rays, bronchoscopy, and a tracheal wash to determine if your pet is suffering from chronic bronchitis.
Treatments for dogs with chronic bronchitis are usually administered at home but if your pet is experiencing severe respiratory distress, hospitalization for oxygen therapy and/or intravenous medication may be necessary.
Helpful medications include corticosteroids to reduce underlying inflammations and keep symptoms at bay. Bronchodilators (or “rescue medications”) may be recommended to help open the airways while your dog is in distress but the evidence is not clear on their effectiveness in dogs.
The AeroDawg* aerosol chamber allows dogs to easily inhale corticosteroids and bronchodilators. With its specially designed chamber, the AeroDawg* chamber contains the medication, giving your dog time to breathe in the dose and directly targeting the lower airways.
Determining prevention methods for bronchitis can be challenging because no exact underlying cause has been determined. It is advised to limit your dog’s exposure to inhaled irritants to help keep symptoms under control. These irritants include:
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs. These sacs fill with fluid or pus, making it hard to breathe.
The causes stem from a range of triggers including allergens, lungworms, bacteria, viruses, aspirated food, fluids, or foreign bodies.
Your veterinarian will assess your dog’s symptoms and rule out other non-infectious respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, heart disease causing pulmonary edema, and lung cancer. They will do a thorough physical examination and recommend a series of diagnostic tests before determining a diagnosis of pneumonia.
To treat pneumonia, your veterinarian will likely prescribe a round of antibiotics and, in some cases, fluid therapy, chest percussion, oxygen therapy and/or intravenous fluids.
Some dogs that are healthy and stable enough are treated as outpatients are prescribed bronchodilators and/or expectorants (mucoactive agents which aid in the clearance of mucus from the upper and lower airways). Depending on the severity of the condition and type of infection, your dog may be required to continue this treatment for a prolonged period of time.
The first course of action in preventing your dog from contracting bacterial or viral pneumonia is to vaccinate them for the diseases that can cause it.6 If a dog is presenting signs and symptoms of pneumonia they should be isolated and kept away from other dogs to help curb the spread.
Environmental factors can play a role in a dogs respiratory health, so it’s important to keep inhaled irritants to a minimum. This includes keeping the air in the house clean by using air purifiers, avoiding aerosol sprays, and refraining from smoking around your dog.
Canine eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP) is a respiratory issue that tends to be overlooked as it is relatively uncommon. It is characterized by a dog’s harsh unrelenting cough, similar to a “smoker’s cough”, and dyspnea (shortness of breath). It stands apart from chronic bronchitis as it occurs mostly in young dogs (4-6 years old, females affected more than males), presents eosinophils7 (specialized immune system white blood cells) in airway samples, and there may be traces of nasal discharge. EBP has been seen in Labrador Retrievers, Alaskan Malamutes, German Shepherds, fox and Jack Russell Terriers, Dachshunds, Belgian Shepherds, Brittanys and Siberian Huskies. However, all breeds can be affected with this condition.
These are some symptoms to be aware of if you suspect that your dog may be experiencing EPB:
Lethargy and anorexia are less common but may be displayed if pneumonia is present.
A veterinarian may use one or more of the following diagnostic methods to determine if your dog has EPB.
The main focus in treatment of EPB is to lessen the suffering and severity of the symptoms. A final resolution of this clinical disease may not happen and treatment may be required on an ongoing basis. This may include the use of antimicrobial drugs and/or anti-inflammatory corticosteroid (steroid hormones) therapy. It is important to note that anti-inflammatory corticosteroid therapy should not be prescribed until any bacterial infections are eliminated.
There is no sure cause of EPB but the condition is suspected to have allergic roots. So prevention methods surround keeping potential allergenic triggers to a minimum and ideally eliminated. Aerosolized deodorizers and perfumes, particulate matter in bedding (cedar chips, straw, and sawdust), cigarette smoke, and dusty environments should be avoided.
Lung problems and diseases in dogs, including lung tumours, can also impact respiratory health. Lung tumours can develop in dogs in two ways:
Primary lung cancers have been diagnosed more frequently over the last 20 years, which can be attributed to a few factors including increased average life span, improved detection and awareness, and possibly increased exposure to cancer-causing environmental agents.9
Symptoms of primary lung tumours depend on the location of the tumor, rate of tumor growth, and the presence of previous or current lung disease. The most common signs of a primary lung tumor in dogs include:
While these signs are important to be aware of, 25% of dogs show no signs related to the presence of a tumor, therefore going undiagnosed for prolonged periods.10
The signs of a metastatic lung tumor are similar to those of a primary lung tumor but the one main difference is there is less coughing. The severity of the symptoms also depend on the location of the tumor and whether the lesions are single or multiple.
The diagnostic protocols are similar for both primary lung tumours and metastatic lung tumours. This can include chest x-rays, ultrasound-guided aspiration or biopsy, abdominal ultrasound, CT scans (to evaluate for secondary lung metastases and/or inspection for surgical removal) and blood work to determine overall health.
Often, primary lung tumours are discovered when x-rays are done for other reasons and their results show signs of an undetected tumor. To make a conclusive diagnosis of lung cancer, a biopsy is required.
There are two main routes to take in treatment of a primary lung tumor and a metastatic lung tumor. The first is surgery, but there must be no signs of metastatic lesions on other lung lobes otherwise there is potential for recurrence. Working in tandem with surgery chemotherapy could also be needed depending on the grade, size and, presence of the tumor.
For high grade tumours, large tumours, or tumours that indicate lymphatic or vascular invasion, chemotherapy is recommended. It is important to note that chemotherapy prescribed on its own, without surgical removal of the mass, will not result in significant size reduction or improved survival time.
Similar to humans, there is no infallible cure for cancer in dogs,but we do know that there are certain factors that can be avoided to help stop the development of malignant tumours. Breathing in secondhand smoke is as dangerous for dogs as it is for humans and can increase the risk of both types of lung tumours. The best prevention method available is for dog owners to stop smoking or smoke outside.
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term inflammatory condition that affects the pulmonary or respiratory system. This condition is irreversible and is slowly progressive. This condition may also be known as chronic bronchitis.
No definitive underlying causes of COPD have been determined.
However, long term airway inflammation may result from exposure to inhaled irritants such as tobacco smoke, air pollutants or allergens, bacteria associated with dental disease, or from recurrent infections of the respiratory system.
What are the signs of COPD?
In its early stages, the main sign of COPD is chronic coughing, or coughing that persists for longer than a month. The cough is usually dry or harsh, and gagging is common after coughing.
As the disease progresses, difficulty breathing, decreased exercise tolerance (tires easily), or even fainting with overexertion may occur. Breathing may become noisy, and the pet may wheeze when exhaling.
In later stages, the gums may develop a bluish tinge as a result of lack of oxygen. Dogs with COPD rarely have a fever and usually their appetite remains normal.
What Is Causing This Dog’s Respiratory Problems? | The Vet Life
Many cats and dogs seen by the Emergency Referral Service at RVC Small Animal Referrals have signs of respiratory distress (dyspnoea).
This can be gradually progressive or come on very rapidly with few warning signs. Dyspnoea can be very distressing to the patient, can worsen rapidly and is life-threatening. This means that every animal with respiratory distress must be treated as an emergency, being quickly assessed and carefully monitored while emergency treatment is provided and a diagnosis is made.
Respiratory problems can manifest in lots of different ways, including coughing, noisy breathing, a change in voice or reduced ability to exercise. More severe signs of breathing difficulties may include:
Respiratory distress can occur for lots of different reasons. Some of the most common causes that we see at RVC Small Animal Referrals include:
Pneumonia. This refers to an infection of the lungs that can be caused by contagious diseases or from breathing in food/liquid, usually after vomiting or regurgitation has occurred.Congestive heart failure. This is when the heart is not working properly, leading to the build-up of fluid in and around the lungs.Asthma. This is where the airways become inflamed and spasm, making them narrower, causing severe breathing difficulties. Pyothorax. This refers to the presence of an infection in the chest between the body wall and the lungs. This causes a build-up of fluid around the lungs, compressing them and restricting an animal’s ability to breathe.Laryngeal paralysis. This is where the muscles in the throat do not function correctly, meaning that it does not open to allow enough air in, particularly during heavy breathing.
This is just a small selection of the many causes of breathing difficulties that we see in cats and dogs. In addition to problems with the respiratory tract, there are a number of “look-a-likes” that can have signs such as those above, without any true respiratory problems, such as anaemia and some hormonal problems.
There are many different tests that may be indicated in a cat or dog with respiratory distress, both to guide diagnosis and treatment. Many important pieces of information are gained from the information provided by owners and the initial examination in the consultation room. Other tests often have to be delayed as animals are too unstable to undergo further testing and the stress of handling may worsen their condition. When it is considered safe to do so, some of the tests that may be performed include:
Bloodwork. This is sometimes done to look for specific conditions (e.g. lungworm) but is more often run as part of a general health screen to guide appropriate drugs for anaesthesia or other treatments that may be required.Radiographs (X-rays). These can be used to look at the heart, lungs, airways, ribs and other structures involved in breathing.CT scan. This is similar to x-rays but gives a more detailed 3-dimensional evaluation of the structures involved in breathing and can also be used to detect problems such as blood clots in the lungs.Ultrasound. This can give rapid patient-side information about animals with very little stress/handling and is one of the best ways to look at the heart, but it can only give limited information about the lungs.Bronchoscopy. This involves looking in the airways with a small camera to evaluate the airways and is performed under general anaesthesia. Biopsies can also be obtained this way and foreign material that has been inhaled can potentially be removed.Airway washing. This involves flushing a small amount of sterile saline into the airways and collecting it again, usually under general anaesthesia. This allows cells or infectious agents to be collected to gather more information about the cause of an animal’s breathing difficulties.
Just as there are many different causes and varying severity of respiratory distress, the treatment and prognosis can be very variable. Most animals with breathing difficulties benefit from supplemental oxygen. This can be administered in a variety of ways, depending on the size of the patient and how unstable they are. Sedation is often used to keep animals calm in such stressful situations as that stress can make them try to breathe harder, worsening their problems.
Some animals with severe, life threatening, respiratory distress may require additional emergency procedures or therapies to help stabilise them. These may include drainage of fluid around the lungs (thoracocentesis), creating a hole in their airways to allow them to breathe past a problem in their upper airways (tracheostomy), placing them on advanced life support with a ventilator to help them breathe, or the administration of medication to treat a specific underlying cause.