Distinguishing Dog Asthma: Key Signs & Symptoms

Section 1: Symptoms of Dog Asthma

Canine asthma often presents without any prior warning signs. An asthma attack in dogs is essentially an allergic reaction, triggered by allergens. It can happen suddenly, with a dog that was perfectly healthy and active one moment, and struggling for breath the next.

Why is it so easy to miss the best treatment window for canine asthma? The reason is that even mild asthma attacks may not show obvious symptoms. The owner might only notice the dog having a brief difficulty in breathing, which quickly resolves. This is the nature of mild asthma symptoms, making it hard for owners to suspect asthma. However, if left untreated for too long, asthma can cause irreversible damage to the dog's health, even posing a threat to its life.

During an asthma attack, mild symptoms may include a forceful cough, rapid breathing, and sometimes dry heaves. In severe cases, the dog may exhibit rapid and labored breathing, difficulty breathing, elevated body temperature, and severe symptoms like skin redness, blue tongue, and a rapid heartbeat. If a dog shows these signs, the owner should rush it to the nearest veterinary hospital immediately.

However, these symptoms can also be present in other diseases, so when encountering a dog with these symptoms, owners should conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause. Regardless, these symptoms are abnormal and should not be ignored!

Section 2: How to Distinguish Dog Asthma

Many pet owners feel frustrated, as they are not neglecting their pets' health. However, distinguishing between asthma, coughing, and snoring in dogs can be quite challenging. To help, here are some methods to differentiate these symptoms:

The sound of a dog's snoring is usually lowpitched and deep. Not all dog breeds snore; it's more common in breeds with shorter noses, such as French Bulldogs and Pugs. Snoring can be rapid and somewhat similar to asthma, but there are ways to tell them apart!

Coughing sounds are typically intermittent and lowpitched.

Asthma, on the other hand, produces a sharp, continuous, and highpitched sound.

Dr. Oxygen Pet shares these methods for distinguishing asthma in dogs. It's understandable that owners might overlook their dog's asthma when they're unaware of it, as it can be hard to detect. However, once a dog has been diagnosed with asthma, paying close attention during an attack can help identify the symptoms more effectively.