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Where I live in the Pacific Northwest, warmer weather brings days on the water, working in the yard, and camping. It also brings on an uptick in breathing issues in humans as well as our canine companions. Allergens and poor air quality during harvest and fire season are often to blame for inflaming the airways and aggravating things like asthma, but dog asthma may not only a problem during the summer. For some dogs it can last all year.
If you’ve noticed your dog wheezing, coughing, or experiencing other breathing issues, it could be dog asthma. We’ll walk you through some of the common signs, triggers, and what to do during a dog asthma attack.
Can Dogs Have Asthma?
Asthma is dogs is more commonly and accurately called allergic bronchitis, which basically translates to inflammation of the airways triggered by an allergen. What happens with allergic bronchitis is irritants in the air, such as pollen, mold, smoke, or toxins, cause the airways to become inflamed, part of which is swelling. This swelling narrows the space, decreasing the amount of air that a pup can take in. If severe enough, it can cause life threatening difficult breathing.
There are many respiratory conditions that can lead to difficulty breathing due to congestion or inflammation from an infection, tracheal collapse, and heart disease, but dog asthma is a little unique in its ability to restrict air by constricting the bronchiole airways.
Allergic bronchitis is typically thought of as a feline issue, but pups can be affected as well to a lesser extent.
Common Causes and Risk Factors of Dog Asthma
The respiratory system is a big excluder of things it finds irritating and for good reason. Seemingly mild compounds are capable of producing a major reaction in the airways, such is the case of dog asthma. As with other allergy signs, pollens, molds, and smoke are often to blame. Most of the outdoor allergens are seasonally dependent, while indoor things, such as laundry detergent and household cleaners can create problems year-round.
The presence of allergens doesn’t necessarily mean your dog is going to have breathing issues, there is often other factors at play as well. Age and breed may play a role, as older, smaller breed pups are more likely to be affected. Also, dogs that spend prolonged periods outside may have a greater risk simply because they are exposed to more allergens. And let’s not forget our brachycephalic friends. Short-nosed breeds, such as pugs, Boston terriers, and French bulldogs may suffer from brachycephalic airway syndrome, an anatomical issue that can set a dog up for further breathing problems, potentially including dog asthma.
Recognizing the Signs of Asthma in Dogs
Alright, so we’ve already said that dog asthma can cause difficulty breathing, but what exactly does that mean? To break it down, dogs with allergic bronchitis may show up with wheezing, prolonged coughing, rapid breathing, and increased panting. They may get their abdominal muscles involved in the process and may decline playtime or exercise.
I get it, these signs sound familiar for a lot of respiratory issues, so it’s important to get your veterinarian involved for a proper diagnosis. One thing you’ll notice is that most dogs will seem to get better if they’re given a chance to calm down and are able to get away from the irritant. Generally, infections like kennel cough and pneumonia aren’t going to get better if they’re moved inside, and heart disease isn’t suddenly going to improve.
Signs of dog asthma may get better when exposure to irritants is limited and worse when exposure increases. Though signs may vary in severity, the underlying inflammation tends to get worse over time if it isn’t treated. This is why you’re more likely to see it in older dogs rather than young pups.
Emergency Preparedness for Asthma Attacks in Dogs
Though dog asthma signs may get better by removing the irritant, there are times when things can get really out of hand. When a dog is having major difficulties breathing and is starting to turn blue in the tongue and gums, immediate action needs to be taken. This means get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Try to keep them as calm as possible during transport.
If your dog has been previously diagnosed with asthma, your vet may have prescribed anti-inflammatories or an inhaler that can be used during an attack. You’ll still want to get to your vet though so they can give your pup a thorough check.
Treatment, Prevention, and Management of Dog Asthma
Just like allergies, your dog is going to feel their best if you can remove the allergen from their environment. Since this is usually easier said than done, just be aware of when allergen counts are high and limit your dog’s outside time. Exercise for dogs is still important, but find something that can be done indoors when air quality is bad. Use pet-safe cleaners and keep the number of fragrances in your home to a minimum. Regularly wash bedding and vacuum to keep dust down.
If these at-home modifications aren’t enough, your veterinarian may prescribe medications that help to decrease inflammation and open up the airways. Some medications may be given regularly, while some, like inhalers, may be used as needed.
It can take a little bit of time and trial and error to get your dog’s asthma under control, which can mean multiple veterinary visits. Rather than worry about the financial strain that this may bring, look into pet medical insurance. Pet insurance can help cover the costs associated with unplanned illnesses or injuries, including asthma attacks.
Consider adding a wellness plan to help budget for preventative vet visits that will help keep your dog healthy.
Dog Asthma
Though not as common as cats or humans, dogs can develop asthma, more accurately known as allergic bronchitis, when irritants in the air cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways. This makes it difficult for a dog to breathe and can even be life threatening if severe enough. If you notice excessive panting, wheezing, or difficulty breathing in your pup, see your veterinarian.
Ultimately, that first wheeze or cough you noticed is a call to action, not a reason for despair. Recognizing the signs of dog asthma is the first and most important step to help your dog get back to their happy, active life, full of joyful moments and carefree breathing.