Do your dog's breaths have a whistling sound to them? Is the whistling recent, or has it been occurring periodically for some time? The dog is wheezing if it whistles while breathing. There are many different causes of wheezing in dogs, some of which are benign and others of which are more problematic.
Causes of bronchitis in dogs with wheezing
Causes of bronchitis in dogs with wheezing
The lower airways of a dog's lungs are affected by canine chronic bronchitis. Inflammation in bronchitis causes the airways to expand and create mucus, which eventually narrows the airways. The primary sign of bronchitis is coughing, which is an effort to clear the airways. As the illness develops, however, dogs may have trouble breathing and start to wheeze when exhaling.
1 - Broken Trachea
In dogs, a chronic illness known as a collapsed trachea affects the trachea, which is the windpipe. A dog's airway can become mildly to severely obstructed when the supporting rings surrounding the trachea collapse due to weak cartilage. This condition's symptoms include a honking cough or unusual breathing noises, such as wheezing.
2 - Allergies
Pollen, mold, and dust are examples of airborne allergens that can make a dog wheeze. When these allergens get into the dog's airways, an allergic reaction could make breathing difficult by causing the airways to enlarge.
3 - Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that irritates the airways. The most common sign is a chronic dry cough, although exertion can also cause or make breathing problems like wheezing worse.
4 - Infections
Wheezing in dogs can result from upper respiratory tract infections, which are comparable to the common cold or flu in humans. Coughing, sneezing, breathing issues (including wheezing), and a reduced capacity for exertion are typical signs of these infections.
5 - Heart Condition
Wheezing can be brought on by a number of heart conditions, including cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, or mitral valve disease, in elderly dogs and occasionally in younger dogs. Lethargy and activity intolerance brought on by these illnesses may make it harder for dogs to breathe, which may result in wheezing.
6 - Foreign Body
6 - Foreign Body
Due to a partial obstruction to their airway, your dog may wheeze if there are foreign objects lodged in their windpipe. These items could be toys, sticks, huge bits of food, bone fragments, or other things your dog might discover lying around the house and yard. If you detect your puppy wheezing, respond quickly because this is a problem with young pups who prefer to chew on almost anything.
Wheezing Treatment for Dogs
What causes your dog to wheeze will determine just how to treat it. Depending on the severity, a heartworm infection can be treated. Dogs are routinely given three rounds of worm-killing injections, followed by a rigid rest regimen. In extreme circumstances, dogs can require surgery to have the worms surgically removed. Medication can be used to treat allergies and asthma in order to reduce symptoms. Congestive coronary artery disease is a serious condition that, depending on how severe it is, may still be managed with medicine and occasionally dietary adjustments.
The symptoms of tracheal collapse can frequently be managed with cough suppressants, as well as by modifying your dog's surroundings and activity routine. In more serious circumstances, surgery can be done to better open the dog's trachea by inserting a stent inside of it. With a sedated airway exam, foreign bodies within the airway can occasionally be removed. A bronchoscopy or surgery, however, might be necessary.
How to Stop Dogs from Having Wheezing
Most allergies, tracheal collapse, and congestive heart failure cannot be avoided. Dogs might or might not be susceptible to them or be born with them. Heartworm illness and foreign objects, however, are easily avoidable. Your dog can avoid accidentally getting something stuck in their airway by having a controlled environment and receiving the right enrichment. Heartworm prevention is very popular, and there are a tonne of preventatives available.
The majority of treatments consist of oral chews taken once a month; however, topicals or injectables are additionally available. Your veterinarian can assist you in choosing the appropriate preventative for your dog. Even if it is not immediately serious, you should have your dog's wheezing examined by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can assist in determining the cause of your dog's wheezing and the best course of treatment.
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