Dog Wheezing: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

When you hear your dog wheeze, it can be a terrifying sound. If you've ever been to the vet with a dog who's wheezing, you know how scary it can be. What is dog wheezing? Why do dogs wheeze? And how do we help them breathe better?

In this article, we'll talk more about causes and possible treatments for wheezing in dogs. If your dog is wheezing, it can be a scary sound to hear.

 

Causes

Dog wheezing is different from human wheezing because dogs don't have lungs. Instead, they have a windpipe (trachea) which branches off into tiny tubes called bronchi that lead to their lungs. When a dog has an allergic reaction or an infection in its airways, the bronchi narrows down and makes it hard for air to get through them.

The dog will struggle to breathe in and out as it tries to force air through this narrow passageway. If the problem persists for long enough, the dog could end up suffocating if the bronchial tubes are completely blocked off.

There are many causes for dog wheezing:

Allergies: Dogs with allergies may experience shortness of breath when inhaling grasses or other allergens into their lungs. This can cause them to cough violently or even collapse during an asthma attack if they're exposed to too much pollen at once (for example).

Congestive Heart Failure: If the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, it can cause fluid buildup in the lungs and chest cavity. This can lead to shortness of breath, coughing and other symptoms of congestive heart failure.

Foreign Object: If a dog inhales a foreign object, this can cause coughing and other symptoms of respiratory distress. If the object is sharp or hard, it could puncture the lungs or other organs in your dog's body.

Respiratory Infection: Respiratory infections, such as kennel cough, are a common cause of coughing in dogs. Kennel cough is caused by a virus that can spread through the air when your dog coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or people who have been exposed to them. Respiratory infections are often mild, but if left untreated they can become more serious. If your dog has a respiratory infection, he may need antibiotics to clear up the infection and prevent it from getting worse.

 

Treatment

The first thing you might want to do is take your dog to the vet. It’s important to rule out other causes of coughing, such as heart disease or pneumonia, because these conditions can be fatal if left untreated. You should also make sure that your dog is eating and drinking normally, as well as eliminating regularly. Also, never self-medicate your dogs in this situation. Your dog might have a serious respiratory condition, and you should always take him to the vet before giving him any medication.

Most likely, your dogs will be given a course of antibiotics to treat the infection and get rid of any bacteria that may be causing it. In some cases, your vet might prescribe steroids to help reduce inflammation in your dog’s throat or lungs.

 

We Want Your Pets to Live Longer with You

Pet wellness care in Porter is vital to the health and happiness of your furry friend. At All Community Animal Hospital, we are passionate about keeping your pets healthy and happy. There will be no shortage of attention given to your pet's well-being by an experienced crew.

 

We're equipped to handle everything from grooming and boarding to complex surgery and internal medicine.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (281) 602-4078. We look forward to meeting you and your beloved pet!