Likewise humans, dogs may also suffer from asthma attacks with a range of symptoms from mild to severe. In this article, we will describe the signs and symptoms of asthma in dogs, its causes and then we will discuss the ways to treat your dog while it suffers from asthma.
Before we discuss further, let’s understand what you mean by asthma in dogs.
Understanding Asthma – Can Dogs have Asthma
The immune system of dogs sometimes overreacts to substances which are harmless such as pollen or certain foods.This overreaction to these substances is known as an allergic reaction.The allergic disease of asthma is less common in dogs than in cats.While a dog suffers from asthma, it feels itching, swelling and problems during breathing.The attacks of asthma usually happens when your dog has an allergic reaction to substances mainly pollen, dust mites, mold spores, beef, chicken and saliva. These substances trigger an allergic reaction in its lungs which make it difficult for the dog to breathe properly.
Inflamed Airways of your Dog
In Asthma, the allergic reaction causes the airways of the lungs of your dog swollen and irritated.In this condition, the airways in its lungs become enlarged in their size and puffy.This swelling allows the airways to become narrower, which makes it harder for your dog to breathe normally.
Causes of Asthma in Dogs
Now we will discuss each of these airborne allergens, mainly pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and air pollutants such as smoke. These are the factors which cause asthma in dogs.
1. Pollen
Plants like flowers and trees produce a fine powder which helps them to reproduce. When your sensitive dog breathes in pollen then that pollen stimulates an allergic reaction in its lungs.This allergic reaction swells the airways present in its lungs and it is hard for it to breathe properly.Pollen which is an allergen is the leading cause of asthma attacks in dogs who are sensitive.
2. Dust Mites
In the dust, there are many tiny and invisible creatures present in it. Typically these invisible creatures live in places like carpets and bedding. If you observe that your dog with asthma inhaled dust mites then these dust mites trigger the immune system of your dog to overreact. This overreaction of its immune system swells the airways inside its lungs, which causes your dog to breathe improperly. Although the immune system of the dog protects its body against harmful substances.
Note: It must be noted that dust mites, pollens and mold spores are harmless, but the immune system of sensitive dogs mistakenly overreacts to these substances.
3. Mold Spores
Many tiny and airborne particles which are released by a type of fungus which is known as mold. This mold typically lives and grows in damp and warm environments.The fungus also produces tiny spores and may spread through the air.You may have seen them as discolored patches on walls, ceilings and sometimes in food. Dogs who live in places which have high humidity get allergic reactions in their lungs.
4. Pet Dander
While your pet such as a dog urinates or releases saliva, its urination and saliva contains microscopic particles. A dog who is sensitive to allergic reactions once comes into contact with this pet dander, then these tiny particles trigger the immune system to overreact which causes difficulties in breathing them.
5. Air Pollutants
Air pollutants such as smoke are typically harmful for sensitive dogs.The lungs of your dog may get irritated while smoke emerges from the fires or pollution. This factor can cause coughing and wheezing among the sensitive dogs.Now we will discuss the symptoms that you may notice in your dog whether it suffers from asthma or not.
Symptoms of Asthma in Dogs
Dogs with asthma presents:
1. Loss of Energy
Weakness and tiredness are the feelings which have been seen with dogs who experience asthma.This is because the problems in breathing makes it harder for them to receive enough oxygen, which is required by their body to gain energy. As a result, asthmatic dogs do not have energy so that they can play or go for walks like normal dogs do.
2. Rapid Breathing
While dogs suffer from asthma, they breathe very quickly and shallowly. This happens because the airways present in their lungs are inflamed and narrows down which makes it harder for them to get sufficient air from the atmosphere.As a result, their bodies increases the rate of respiration to get more oxygen.If you notice that your dog breathes rapidly, then it may be the sign of asthma and it need medical care.
3. Heavy Panting
Dogs with asthma breathe rapidly and deeply while they keep their mouth open. This happens because their airways are inflamed and cannot receive sufficient oxygen. Their bodies cope up with this situation by allowing the dog to start panting heavily. In this case, dog pants are a way to try to inhale more air.Although every normal dog pants just to regulate its breathing and cools down. But in the case of asthma, sensitive dogs pant heavily and look anxious and uncomfortable.
4. Bluish Colored Gums
If you notice that the color of your dog’s gums tend to become bluish, then it may be the sign and symptom that it experiences asthma. The color of the gums become blue when its body is not achieving enough oxygen. In asthma, the blood does not carry enough oxygen to the tissues of the dog’s body.
Note: Bluish Colored Gums is a serious condition because oxygen levels are compromised in this situation, which needs medical attention as soon as possible.
5. Wheezing
While your dog experiences asthma, the airways of the lungs tighten and produce more mucus.This inflammation makes the airways more sensitive and these airways start coughing to clear the mucus and struggle to open up the air pathways.
Note: If your dog exhibits any one of the above mentioned symptoms then you must contact the vet to properly diagnose the trigger.
Diagnosis Process of Asthma in Dogs
We have provide the step by step diagnostic procedure of asthma in dogs:
1. Medical History
If you bring your dog to the veterinary clinic once you have noticed the signs and symptoms of asthma. Let’s say the vet examines how frequently your dog has been coughing and you replied with over the past few months.The vet also asks whether your dog coughs more in the evening and after it plays.He also examines whether it persistently coughs or not. The vet asks the time when the cough started, he also asks the environmental conditions where the dog lives. These environmental conditions involve presence of pollen, mold spores and smoke.While a vet identifies the medical history from the owner of the dog, he also asks whether the dog suffers from asthma seasonally.Finally, the vet asks whether the dog of caregiver feels fatigued and lethargic after small walks or little play.
2. Physical Examination
After the medical history, now the vet put the stethoscope on the chest of the dog and listens to the sound of lungs.If he notices any wheezing and sounds of crackling which may happen at the time when the dog exhales.Now the vet notices that the breathing rate of the dog is elevated than normal.
3. Blood Tests
Now after physical examination of lungs, the vet suggests some blood tests to check the amount of eosinophil whether they are normal or elevated. The amount of Eosinophil figures out whether there are enough white blood cells to combat the parasites that attack the dog’s body.If the vet checks the blood report that the range of eosinophil is beyond 1,000 cells per microliter (µL) of blood i.e 1500 to 2000 cells/µL, then he confirms that the dogs is suffering from asthma.
4. Chest X-ray
After blood tests, the vet suggests the chest x-ray which will indicate whether there are any signs of tumors or infection in the lungs.
Treatment Options for Asthma in Dogs:
Once it is confirmed that your dog has asthma, then treatment of asthma for the dogs typically administer Albuterol Sulfate. Now we will discuss the ways to administer the medicine to your dog:
Preparation:
The vet typically prescribes the albuterol to be given in tablet form or oral liquid.Many times, the vet advises you to fill the medicine in the nebulizer according to the guidelines which he suggests.
Administration (Oral Tablets or Liquid):
You should give the right dosage to your dog as prescribed by the vet in terms of albuterol tablets.If you are administering the oral liquid, then you must measure the dose with the help of a dropper or syringe into the dog’s mouth.
Monitoring:
Once you administer the dose to your dog, then you may notice nervousness, shivering of body, rapid heartbeat which occurs with time and disappears automatically. But make sure you must report these side effects to your vet.
Missed Dose:
Sometimes, we miss the dose which is normal, but as soon as you remember then you must administer it.
Note: If you notice that the missed dose is close to the time of next dose, then skip the missed dose and then resume your regular schedule.You must avoid giving two doses at once.
Conclusion
In summary, can dogs have asthma is the question that many dog owners ask as they are worried about the health of their pet dogs.Many people who are allergic to pollen, dust mites, mold spores and air pollutants such as smoke present symptoms of persistent coughs, wheezing, panting while they keep their mouths open, bluish colored gums and rapid heart rate. The immune systems of some dogs are sensitive which mistakenly overreacts to the pollen and other air particles which are inhaled by the dogs. However, such dogs should be treated by proper diagnosis of physical examination, blood tests, chest x-rays and the treatment may include albuterol sulfate administered orally in tablets and liquid form.
