13 Mar The Most Common Respiratory Diseases in Dogs (Part 2)

Respiratory problems are found in almost all breeds and ages of dogs and have become a major threat to their lives. Symptoms of respiratory diseases include nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, noisy and difficult breathing or abnormal breathing patterns. Any changes in sound quality or hearing abnormal sounds may indicate respiratory problems. If your dog is having difficulty breathing, he should be treated immediately by a veterinarian. In the previous part, we described the symptoms and cause of this problem. In this section, we will explain some of these respiratory diseases.

The most common respiratory diseases of dogs

Many diseases also affect the dog’s breathing, But some diseases directly affect the lungs and respiratory system. Here are the most common of them:

Canine Distemper Virus

Distemper is a dangerous and deadly disease that affects puppies and unvaccinated adult dogs. The virus not only affects the respiratory system, but also the nervous system and the dog’s digestive system. The distemper virus is transmitted from infected dogs to others and spreads rapidly in places where large numbers of dogs are kept (such as boarding houses and shelters).

The first symptoms of the disease begin as lethargy, fever, vomiting and diarrhea, followed by coughing and shortness of breath. Concentrated nasal discharge, sneezing and conjunctivitis are further symptoms that may last for 2-3 weeks. Spasms and muscle strain, restlessness, panic and even symptoms of epilepsy may occur during 3-4 weeks. Treatment options for this disease are limited and a definitive and complete cure hasn’t yet been found. Fortunately, there’s a distemper vaccine and it’s one of the main vaccines for dogs. By getting vaccinated on time and completely, you can make your dog resistant to this disease.

Brachycephalic airway syndrome

Brachycephalic syndrome, or upper airway disease, is more common in brachycephalic dog breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu dogs. Brachycephaly is a genetic defect that causes shortening of the snout, jaw and airways as well as flattening of the face. it’s seen in both dogs and cats. These animals have small nostrils that make it difficult to breathe through the nose and have to open their mouths. Symptoms such as snoring during sleep, wheezing (especially when inhaling), nausea when eating, intolerance to physical activity and exercise, shortness of breath, blue tongue and fainting are some of the symptoms of the respiratory brachycephalic syndrome in dogs.

Your veterinarian will usually advise you to take special care of these dogs. For example, the neck collar puts pressure on the dog’s airways and it’s better to use a body collar instead. Also, you should keep the dog away from intense physical activity, excitement and stress. There’s no cure for this respiratory problem in dogs. But in severe cases, surgery can greatly alleviate the problem, leaving only a simple snore.

Tracheal Collapse

The trachea is a strong tube that leads to the lungs and is made up of a large number of C-shaped cartilaginous rings. These cartilaginous rings prevent the collapse of the tracheal structure while allowing it to dilate. In dogs with lung collapse, the structure of the lungs falls below normal when breathing, so-called collapsing, causing pain and discomfort to the dog. Lung collapse is most common in small puppet breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranian dogs and miniature poodles. The severity of this respiratory problem depends on the extent of the dog’s lung collapse and other illnesses. It usually includes wheezing, coughing, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. If the problem is severe, surgery may be needed; But in milder cases, the dog can live without any problems until middle age and old age. Of course, strenuous physical activity, obesity and stress can aggravate the symptoms of dog disease.

Diagnosis and treatment

Some types of respiratory problems may be diagnosed by your dog’s veterinarian. However, accurate diagnosis of some respiratory diseases requires more expertise and is usually done by an internal medicine specialist. The internal medicine specialist performs the necessary tests, such as chest radiology and other tests, to determine the exact cause and type of the dog’s respiratory disease.

Treatment of dog respiratory problems varies depending on the type and severity of the disease. In some cases, antibiotics may work, but they may not work in all cases. Of course, pulmonary-respiratory rehabilitation treatments can also help reduce the symptoms and severity of dogs’ respiratory problems. If the dog has severe problems, sometimes it’s necessary to use a ventilator or artificial and mechanical air conditioner.