Managing Dog Asthma: Essential Tips for Pet Owners

Section 1: Symptoms of Dog Asthma

When a dog experiences an asthma attack, you might notice symptoms such as a dry cough, heavy panting, and sometimes even dry retching. In more severe cases, dogs may exhibit rapid breathing, fever, red skin, blue tongue, dry and warm nose, and an increased heart rate. If you observe your pet's tongue turning blue and a rise in body temperature, it's crucial to take them to the vet immediately. However, it's important to note that a blue tongue and elevated body temperature are not solely indicative of asthma; other conditions can cause these symptoms as well. Therefore, before treatment, a vet will typically take Xrays and perform blood tests to pinpoint the cause and location of the illness.

Dog asthma, much like human asthma, is challenging to cure completely. The goal is to manage the allergens that trigger the condition, and the dog's living environment should be wellventilated yearround. Once the allergens are identified, pet owners must take great care to avoid exposing their pets to these allergens. Generally, dog asthma can come on quickly and subside just as rapidly. If the condition is not severe, dogs can often return to normal within a short period. Often, owners might only notice a brief, sudden difficulty in their dog's breathing, which then resolves without further concern. Unfortunately, this can lead to a missed opportunity for effective treatment and control when the asthma becomes severe and lifethreatening.

Section 2: How to Identify Dog Asthma

Dog asthma can sometimes be confused with snoring, leading many owners to question whether their pet is suffering from asthma. Here are some ways to distinguish between the two:

The sound of a dog's snoring is primarily caused by air passing through a narrowed throat, causing the vibration of soft tissue. Snoring sounds are generally low in frequency and thus lower in pitch.

In contrast, asthma produces a more sharp, honking sound due to the impact of air on harder structures within the body, resulting in a higher frequency of sound.

It's important to note:

Not only can dogs suffer from asthma, but they can also trigger asthma in humans. A World Health Organization document indicates that pet dander is one of the most common asthma triggers, second only to dust and pollen. It's not uncommon to hear stories of pet owners developing asthma due to severe shedding, which is why some family members may object to having a pet. Choosing a dog breed with less shedding can be a viable option.

Dr. Oxygen Pet Tips:

Severe shedding in dogs can trigger asthma attacks in individuals with asthma, which is why some public places restrict pets. Therefore, it's advisable for pet owners to avoid taking their dogs to crowded, enclosed public spaces where they might come into contact with people who have asthma.