Asthma in Dogs

Asthma in dogs occurs less frequently than in cats. It tends to affect older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems. Read this page to find out more about the possible causes, symptoms, and treatment, including the use of natural herbal remedies to help control canine asthma.

Although asthma in dogs is less frequent than in cats, dogs do suffer from asthma as well, but it occurs more commonly in middle-aged and older pets.

Have you ever witnessed a dog asthma attack? It is quite scary, really. A dog with asthma may begin an attack by wheezing and coughing. If the attack is severe, it may then progress to obstructed airways and labored breathing.

Contrary to what many people think, canine asthma is not an infectious disease. It is more like an allergic reaction to airborne irritants and pollutants.

Causes of Asthma in Dogs

As mentioned above, asthma not a disease. It is in reality a symptom which occurs as part of a severe allergic reaction - and dogs that have weakened immune systems are more prone to allergies and allergic reaction. In the case of dog asthma, a dog may have an asthma attack because he is allergic to some airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke, dust, pollen, or other air pollutants.

Other deeper underlying problems, such as worms, bacterial or viral infections, or even cancers, may also cause asthma in dogs.

Certain dog breeds (e.g. pugs, malteses), due to the anatomy of their airways, are more prone to asthma.

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Dog Asthma Symptoms

Two typical symptoms that indicate a dog may have asthma are coughing and wheezing. The cough can be a dry cough, but sometimes the dog may cough up some phlegm. Coughing is usually triggered by excitement and exercise.

In addition, dogs with asthma also show some of the following signs:

Sneezing
Appetite loss
Lethargy
Weight loss
(In extreme cases) Dog's tongue or gums may turn blue

If your dog shows the above symptoms, take him to see the veterinarian as soon as possible for chest x-rays and blood tests in order to make sure that the asthma attack is not secondary to some other underlying problems mentioned above.

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Treatment for Canine Asthma

Conventional treatment for dog asthma is usually suppressing the asthma symptoms through the use of prescription drugs such as steroids, bronchodilators and antihistamines.

Using drugs to suppress the dog asthma symptoms does not do our dog much good if we don't address the underlying cause. From a holistic point of view, we should look at what is causing the problem and then take action to deal with that problem.

If your dog's vet has ruled out any deeper underlying diseases, then try doing the following:

Remove Outside Irritants: Since many dogs develop asthma as a result of being exposed to airborne irritants, it makes sense to eliminate as many irritants that may cause asthma as possible. Take a look around your house. Are there any irritants (e.g. chemicals from household cleansers, special garden sprays such as pesticide, cigarette smoke) that may cause allergic reactions in your dog? If so, get rid of them! They are probably not too good to your health either!

Weight Control: Overweight dogs and asthma go hand in hand - dog obesity is one cause of asthma in dogs. Therefore, give your dog plenty of regular exercise and a healthy diet (no junk food!) to keep down his weight, thus lessening the possibility of asthma attacks.
Strengthen the Immune System: A strong, healthy, and balanced immune system will also protect the body from having asthma attacks.
Soothe and Relieve the Symptoms: Asthma dogs are more comfortable in an environment with adequate moisture. Use a cold-mist humidifier if necessary to make sure that the room where your dog sleeps is not too dry. If you have an diffuser for aromatherapy, try diffusing a few drops of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils to aid smooth breathing by opening up the respiratory passages. Eucalyptus oil is also antimicrobial.

Natural Remedies for Asthma in Dogs

Natural remedies such as herbal and homoepathic remedies are milder and safer for our dogs. There are quite a few effective herbs and other remedies that are effective for treating dog asthma. Read our page on Dog Asthma Remedies for more information.

Did you know that...
Pneumonia can also cause symptoms similar to those caused by dog asthma?
Check out our page on Canine Pneumonia for more information.

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