Understanding Respiratory Diseases in Dogs: Causes, Prevention, and New Emerging Illness

Understanding Respiratory Diseases in Dogs

Respiratory diseases are common health issues that affect dogs of all ages and breeds. As a dog owner, it's important to understand the signs, causes, and treatments for respiratory illnesses so you can get your furry friend the care they need if problems arise.

Common Respiratory Diseases in Dogs

Some of the most common respiratory diseases that dogs can develop include:

• Kennel cough - Also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, kennel cough is highly contagious and spreads easily where dogs are in close contact. The infection causes inflammation in the upper airways.
• Pneumonia - An infection in the lungs often caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Pneumonia leads to inflammation that fills the lungs with fluid and pus.
• Heartworm disease - Spread by mosquitoes, heartworms lodge in the heart and lungs, causing respiratory distress, coughing, and exercise intolerance.
• Lung cancer - Dogs can develop primary lung tumors or cancers that metastasize from other parts of the body to the lungs.
• Laryngeal paralysis - The larynx loses function, making it difficult for air to pass to the lungs. Affected dogs often have noisy breathing and coughing fits.

Signs of Respiratory Disease

Some common signs that your dog may have a respiratory illness include:

• Coughing and hacking
• Gagging or choking
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Exercise intolerance
• Blue-tinged gums
• Nasal discharge
• Fever
• Lethargy and tiredness
• Loss of appetite

If your dog is showing any of these signs, take them to the vet for an examination. Prompt treatment is essential for respiratory diseases.

Causes and Risk Factors

There are several potential causes and risk factors for respiratory illness in dogs:

• Infection - Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections often affect the respiratory tract and compromise the lungs' function.
• Airborne irritants - Things like smoke, dust, and air pollution can irritate the airways and lungs.
• Underlying disease - Conditions like laryngeal paralysis, collapsing trachea, and cancer can impede breathing.
• Congenital issues - Brachycephalic dog breeds with short, smushed snouts often have anatomical challenges.
• Obesity - Excess weight puts pressure on the chest and lungs.
• Age - Older dogs may develop age-related respiratory diseases.
• Genetics - Some breeds are prone to specific respiratory illnesses.

Exposure to other sick dogs, boarding, stress, and environmental factors also raise the risk of respiratory disease in canines.

Diagnosing Respiratory Disease

To diagnose the cause of your dog's breathing issues, the vet will:

• Take a medical history and ask about symptoms
• Listen to the chest with a stethoscope
• Check oxygen levels
• Take x-rays of the chest
• Run bloodwork
• Collect fluid or cell samples from lungs
• Conduct other imaging tests as needed

These steps allow the vet to pinpoint the type of infection or condition leading to respiratory distress. Targeted treatment can then begin.

Treating Respiratory Infections

Treatment depends on the specific illness causing breathing problems. However, common therapies may include:

• Antibiotics - For bacterial pneumonias and kennel cough.
• Antifungals - For fungal infections like aspergillosis.
• Corticosteroids - To reduce airway inflammation.
• Bronchodilators - To open constricted airways.
• Oxygen therapy - To help oxygenate the blood.
• Drainage - Using suction or chest tubes to drain fluid from lungs.
• Surgery - To remove obstructions or masses obstructing breathing.

Prompt treatment helps minimize permanent lung damage from respiratory infections. Severe cases may require hospitalization.

At-Home Care for Respiratory Problems

While your dog undergoes treatment, you can provide supportive care at home:

• Give all medications as directed.
• Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid irritating the throat.
• Help your dog rest and avoid strenuous exercise.
• Keep your home smoke-free.
• Use an air purifier to filter dust and allergens.
• Make sure your dog drinks plenty of fluids.
• Elevate food and water bowls to make eating and drinking easier.
• Monitor for improvement or worsening of symptoms.

Caring for your sick pup at home will aid in their recovery. Follow your vet's instructions closely.

Preventing Respiratory Disease

You can take steps to help prevent respiratory illness in your canine companion:

• Get recommended vaccines, including kennel cough vaccine.
• Treat any underlying conditions, like allergies or laryngeal paralysis.
• Maintain a healthy weight for your dog.
• Have yearly vet checkups to catch issues early.
• Limit exposure to sick dogs when boarding or socializing.
• Avoid heavily wooded areas with heartworm disease risks.
• Use flea/tick and heartworm prevention medications as prescribed.
• Keep your dog active to strengthen respiratory muscles.
• Feed a high-quality diet with antioxidants.

While you can't prevent all respiratory illness, these steps will help reduce your dog's risks and keep their lungs as healthy as possible.

New, Mysterious Dog Respiratory Illness Emerges

Dog owners have reason for concern this holiday season as veterinarians across the Midwest report a surge in a mysterious respiratory illness in dogs. The disease has echoes of the canine influenza outbreak of 2015, which sickened thousands of dogs.

This time, the culprit appears to be entirely new. The illness has been dubbed "canine pneumovirus" based on preliminary lab results. While investigations are ongoing, here's what experts currently know about this emerging canine disease:

Signs of the Respiratory Illness

The most common clinical signs include:

• Coughing and hacking
• Gagging
• Nasal discharge
• Rapid breathing
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite

Most dogs recover within a few weeks, though some develop secondary pneumonia which lengthens the course of illness. A few deaths have occurred in dogs with other health conditions.

Where Cases Have Been Reported

The outbreak seems concentrated in the upper Midwest region, with most cases in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. However, scattered cases have also turned up in other states like Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, New York, and Massachusetts.

The clustered nature of reports suggests the disease spreads where dogs congregate. Cases have occurred primarily at boarding kennels, daycares, shelters, and veterinary clinics.

How It Spreads Between Dogs

Human-to-human respiratory viruses like flu and COVID spread via respiratory droplets and aerosols. Veterinarians suspect the canine pneumovirus spreads by the same route in dogs through coughs, sneezes, and contaminated surfaces.

That's why crowded kennels and shelters facilitate transmission once one dog gets infected. Extremely close contact, like nose-to-nose interaction, may also spread the virus between household dogs.

Is It Related to Canine Influenza?

Initial testing shows the canine pneumovirus is a novel pathogen and distinct from past respiratory bugs. The virus resembles pathogens discovered in pigs and cattle internationally.

Further investigation is needed to clarify if pneumovirus is entirely new or just newly detected in dogs. Genetic analyses at diagnostic labs will shed more light on the origins soon.

Steps to Prevent Infection in Dogs

To protect dogs, experts advise the following precautions:

• Avoid boarding dogs if possible. If boarding, choose facilities with strict biosecurity and ventilation.
• Skip dog parks and daycare during the outbreak.
• Isolate dogs displaying respiratory signs from other pets.
• Ask kennels about recent respiratory illness before committing.
• Practice good hand hygiene when contacting multiple dogs.
• Keep dogs up-to-date on other vaccines, like bordetella.

While disappointing, skipping holiday travel and socialization is safest until the outbreak wanes. Dog owners should remain vigilant for this developing respiratory disease threat.

The Takeaway

Respiratory illnesses represent a serious health threat for dogs. From kennel cough to pneumonia to this new canine pneumovirus disease, dogs are vulnerable to many airway and lung infections.

As a responsible pet owner, the best thing you can do is educate yourself on the signs, causes, and prevention of respiratory problems in dogs. Seek prompt veterinary care if your dog develops any breathing difficulties, coughing, or nasal discharge.

With greater awareness and proper care, you can help your precious pup breathe easier and stay healthier this year and beyond.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.