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Rarely, pneumonia is recurrent in a specific lung lobe, and surgical removal of the lobe may be recommended. In surgical cases, there is typically an underlying cause, such as a foreign object stuck in the lung lobe. In more serious cases, there may be inflammation in the airways, making it more difficult to breathe. Breath sounds may be almost impossible to detect, and a dog may experience periodic fever as well. In some cases, signs may also appear in the bones, skin, and eyes.
For instance, dogs suffering from kennel cough or canine influenza, may develop pneumonia as a complication of these conditions. The signs of pneumonia in dogs are often the same as in people. If the dog is not medically evaluated and treated, the symptoms will worsen and they will not resolve on their own.
Home Remedies For Pneumonia In Dogs
Dr. Rhiannon Koehler is a freelance medical writer and veterinarian whose primary focus is pet parent education. Aside from writing, she practices medicine in animal shelters and wellness clinics. Dr. Koehler's writing helps pet parents stay well-informed, which prepares them to make better health decisions for their pets. If your dog has a condition that increases their risk of getting pneumonia, follow the recommendations of your vet to prevent your dog from getting secondary pneumonia. Let us get to know the causes, symptoms, and treatment of pneumonia in dogs below.
In most cases of infectious pneumonia, a virus damages the respiratory tract, predisposing the dog to a secondary bacterial infection. Examples of viruses that cause pneumonia in dogs include the canine distemper, canine parainfluenza, and canine influenza viruses. The bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica can cause infectious pneumonia in the absence of a virus. Other bacterial species involved in pneumonia typically work alongside a virus. Infectious pneumonia is contagious and affected dogs should be kept away from other dogs.
When to see a doctor
The normal respiratory rate in dogs is about 20 to 30 breaths a minute. If your dog has pneumonia, it's a good idea keeping an eye on your dog's respiratory rate as those numbers may double. Simply count the number of times your dog's flanks (the area in front of your dog's back legs, on the side of her belly) move in a minute. If that seems too long, you can take a shortcut and count how many times your dog' s flanks move for 15 seconds and then multiply that number by 4. The steam will penetrate the lungs and help soften up material so that it can be easier to bring up.
But since you are trying to treat your dog at home, you can utilize a humidifier. When a canine’s immune system is compromised due to other illnesses, it will be more prone to respiratory infections, which can then progress to pneumonia. If your vet suspects a patient has contracted pneumonia, diagnostic testing will be required to determine the exact type of pneumonia which is ailing your dog. Included below is a varied, but not exhaustive, list of symptoms to look out for when determining if there is cause for concern your dog has pneumonia.
Discolored or Bloody Mucus
Pneumonia develops due to inflammation in the lungs and lower airways. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when a dog breathes in substances like food or vomit. Critical cases of pneumonia may require a ventilator, which is cost-prohibitive for most pet parents and carries a worse prognosis.
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. Your vet may also give your dog anti-inflammatory pain medications to help decrease the inflammation in their lungs and address their pain. Intravenous antibiotics will also be given to treat a bacterial pneumonia, whether it is the primary or a secondary cause. Dogs with difficulty breathing, blueish gum color, or low oxygen blood levels, will likely need to be hospitalized with oxygen therapy and intravenous fluids.
Causes of Pneumonia
This is typically the least stressful way to supply oxygen to dogs in respiratory distress, and indicates the dog’s level of illness. To protect your dog from viruses that cause pneumonia, follow your veterinarian’s DHPP and Bordetella vaccination recommendations. Your veterinarian will determine your pet’s individual risk and develop an appropriate vaccination schedule. Diagnosis of fungal infection may require additional testing, such as cytology of lymph nodes or skin lesions.
With pneumonia, it’s important not to let the disease progress if you suspect that your symptoms are getting worse. Depending on the cause of pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication instead of an antibiotic. Your fever may develop suddenly or over the course of a few days. Drinking a cup of coffee may also help relieve shortness of breath. Caffeine may help widen the airways, and a 2021 review even suggested that consuming it could help soothe some COVID-19 symptoms and work against SARS-CoV-2.
But home remedies can help ease your dog’s symptoms and make them more comfortable. Treatment for pneumonia depends on the underlying cause and may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and oxygen therapy. The disease is most commonly spread in places where dogs congregate. Dogs with pneumonia often have a high fever, difficulty breathing, and a cough. While there is no sure-fire way to make sure your dog doesn't get pneumonia, it helps to keep them in top shape. For instance, take them to the veterinarian for regular check-ups, feed them a nutritious diet, and make sure they get plenty of exercise.
Also, don’t forget your dog’s follow-up checkup/s as recommended by your vet. If pneumonia is suspected, your vet may recommend imaging studies as well as laboratory tests to determine if it is the case. These tests may include chest x-rays, blood work, or testing if there is fluid in the lungs.
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