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.
When You Should Be Concerned About Your Dog’s Wheezing
If your dog’s wheezing is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms, it may be indicative of an emergency. Take them to the vet immediately for treatment.
1. Your dog is wheezing and gasping for breath
If your dog is having difficulty taking a breath, it could be a sign of a life-threatening medical emergency such as an allergic reaction or a serious heart condition.
2. Your dog is wheezing and gagging
If your dog is gagging or retching in addition to wheezing, it could be a sign that something is stuck in the windpipe.
3. Your dog is coughing and wheezing
A wheeze accompanied by a cough could indicate an upper respiratory infection, kennel cough, lower airway disease, or a foreign body stuck in the trachea.
4. Your dog is wheezing and showing blue gums or tongue
If your dog is having trouble breathing and is showing blue-ish gums or tongue, they aren’t getting enough oxygen to their lungs and require medical attention immediately.
5. Your dog is wheezing with an accelerated rate of breathing
Wheezing accompanied by a fast rate of breathing could indicate a range of diseases and conditions, such as chronic bronchitis or heart disease.
6. Your dog is wheezing and has no appetite
If your dog is having trouble breathing and isn’t eating food, it can be a sign of infection or another serious condition.
7. Your dog keeps wheezing
If your dog is consistently wheezing with no improvement in symptoms, it warrants a visit to the vet to see if there is an underlying cause.
How To Treat Reverse Sneezing In Dogs
Reverse sneezing rarely requires treatment. When the sneezing stops, the spasm is over. If the episode continues beyond a few seconds, massaging your dogâs throat can help stop the spasm. Also, it can help to cover their nostrils for a quick moment, which makes your dog swallow and helps clear out the irritation.
âDuring an episode, try speaking in a soothing voice while gently massaging your dogâs throat,â suggests Teller. âYou can also gently blow in the dogâs face to make them swallow or gently open the dogâs mouth and press down on the tongue to alleviate the spasm.âÂ
Some dogs have these episodes their entire lives, while others develop the condition only as they age. In most dogs, however, the spasm is an occasional and temporary problem that goes away on its own, needing no treatment and leaving the dog with no aftereffects.
3 Types of Dog Breathing Problems and What to Do
Sometimes fluid or mucus in the airways may cause a roughness to the breath sounds. These can be caused by heart disease or infections such as pneumonia. The take home message here is that rough or “raspy” breath sounds are a symptom that we take very seriously.