The dog has wheezing in the lungs. What to do if your dog is breathing heavily? Signs of wheezing in dogs

Why does the dog wheeze?

Laryngospasm or laryngeal swelling. The reasons for its occurrence may be various allergies or the penetration of foreign bodies into the pet’s throat. The attack is sometimes caused by tightening the collar. At the same time, the dog begins to wheeze, as if he was choking, and at the onset of the attack itself he looks enraged and tries to take in as much air as possible with his mouth. During this process, the dog's mucous membranes may acquire a bluish tint. In most cases, with timely contact with a veterinarian, laryngospasm is treated without further possible complications.

Brachycephalic syndrome. This disease affects dogs with a small and round skull and a flattened nose (Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs). The development of the disease for these breeds is a normal biological phenomenon due to the peculiar structure of the skull. The disease can be diagnosed by the following signs: narrowing of the nasal passages, swelling of the soft palate and changes in the shape of the larynx. At the same time, the dog snores, breathes heavily, inhaling, sniffles clearly, and you can notice the blueness of her mucous membranes.

The appearance of tumors of the respiratory organs. If the dog is also coughing, this may be a signal of the presence of benign or malignant tumors. Bronchitis or pneumonia. During diseases of this kind, the dog coughs very often and constantly wheezes when breathing. There is a misconception that dogs are not susceptible to these diseases, but they occur in 50% of 100 possible.

Types of wheezing

Dry wheezing is caused by a narrowing of the distance between the bronchi, copious secretions or obstruction of the airways. When exhaling, the animal wheezes much louder. Moist wheezing in a dog is a consequence of the accumulation of blood or other fluids in the lungs, as this slows down the passage of air.

Wheezing, more like a crunching or crackling sound, is called crepitus and occurs when the alveoli swell. Such wheezing can occur with pneumonia or fibrosis. Wheezing, similar to a whistle, is also caused by a decrease in the lumen of the airways. It is found in brachycephaly, paralysis of the vocal cords and the penetration of objects into the throat of the animal.

Actions of owners in cases where the animal wheezes

Of course, if your dog starts wheezing, he should be immediately taken to the veterinarian. As is already clear from the above, it is impossible to determine the diagnosis on your own. If the owner notices an increasing pattern of wheezing in the dog and strange behavior similar to a seizure, it is necessary:

• Provide the animal with oxygen by opening the windows.
• It is strictly forbidden to touch the dog's chest. Especially if the animal is lying in a strange position.

If the dog’s health is not critical, it would not be a bad idea to examine its mouth for the presence of objects that have fallen there. In such cases, the animal may reflexively bite a person.

The dog is coughing and wheezing

Your pet may suffer from constant wheezing. Establishing the origin of which is not so easy. Wheezing can be dry, wet or whistling, depending on the cause:

1. Moist wheezing occurs because air into the dog's lungs is forced to pass through a buildup of foreign fluid. With bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage, blood, purulent discharge, and mucus form in the lungs, which accumulate and interfere with normal air flow;
2. Dry wheezing appears due to narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi or trachea. It can also occur when a foreign object becomes lodged in the upper respiratory tract;
3. Wheezing can be caused by the following conditions: vocal cord paralysis or brachycephalic syndrome.

Worms can be of different types:

• Toxocara and roundworms, which cause toxocariasis and ascariasis
  ;
• Cucumber tapeworm, which causes dipylidia. The dog is worried about intestinal obstruction and itching in the anus;
• Esophageal esophageal worms in dogs are accompanied by coughing and wheezing, vomiting and problems with swallowing food.

Coughing, wheezing and regurgitation are quite common syndromes of a wide range of diseases in dogs, which, even in their entirety, cannot accurately indicate the existing problems. Therefore, it is very difficult to make a diagnosis based on these signs alone. Only an experienced veterinarian can tell why a dog is coughing, as if he was choking, for several days after conducting an appropriate examination. The pet is prescribed tests, examining the upper respiratory tract and pharyngeal area.

Treatment of wheezing in dogs

The correct therapy is prescribed depending on the cause of wheezing. This can be diagnosed using x-rays, bronchoscopy and other options for viewing the throat. If brachiocephalic pathology, laryngeal paralysis and tracheal collapse, for example, are detected, the dog will undergo surgery to cure it.

In situations of swelling of the larynx and laryngospasm, the pet is treated with medication. Sometimes artificial ventilation is used. The presence of a foreign body in the respiratory organs requires bronchoscopy and removal of the object. You can often hear that you can get rid of an object in your pet’s throat on your own, but this is not always the right decision.

It is possible to remove a foreign object from the respiratory tract only in cases where it is on the surface, that is, it can be carefully removed using tweezers or your hand. But if it is clearly visible that the object sits very tightly in the throat, then it is better not to engage in amateur activities, because when trying to get this object, you can seriously damage the animal’s throat.

For oncological tumors, therapy is tailored strictly individually, based on the stage of the disease and symptoms. Bronchitis and pneumonia should be treated with cough suppressants and antibiotics. If the animal has pulmonary edema, intensive decongestant treatment is prescribed. In any case, it is necessary to establish the specific cause of wheezing. This will determine the success of the treatment.

Wheezing in a dog is an unpleasant symptom, both for the pet and for its owner, therefore, in such cases, contacting a veterinarian should be carried out as soon as possible in order to avoid more serious complications or even death.

Algorithm of actions for snoring in a pet

In order to get rid of an unpleasant physiological phenomenon of an animal, such as snoring, you need to perform the following list of actions:

1. First of all, you need to pay attention to the comfort of the sleeping place.
2. If the dog is taking any medications, they should be noted.
3. If you suspect an allergic reaction, you can change your pet’s resting place, adjust its diet and replace its favorite toys.
4. The process of walking the dog must be carried out in places where there is no significant air pollution with hazardous substances. This applies to both vehicle exhaust gases and gases that spread around large enterprises.
5. If your pet is overweight, it is imperative to get rid of it. This can be done through diet and proper training.

It is necessary to feed your pet with high-quality food

Important! If you follow all the above rules, you can completely get rid of your dog’s snoring during sleep, or significantly reduce the severity of this physiological phenomenon.

Why does a dog choke and grunt?

Most often, this is a non-threatening condition called “reverse sneezing.” It looks as if the dog is sucking in air through its nose with sharp sighs and as if it cannot exhale. She stands with her head bent, and it seems that the dog is suffocating.

Maybe even or even vomiting itself. The reasons for this condition are unknown to doctors. Such attacks begin suddenly and also pass, but they are not dangerous to the health of the animal. Another reason can be called dangerous - when a foreign object gets into the dog’s nasopharynx.

This attack is similar to a “reverse sneezing”, but it does not stop and threatens the dog with suffocation. The dog may also choke and grunt. In this case, her tongue turns blue. Or fluid, air, or blood may accumulate in the animal's chest cavity.

Breathing may be difficult due to stress. For example, when a dog is afraid of fireworks or gunshots. Some breeds have such a nasopharynx structure that they often breathe very noisily, and also pant and grunt while jogging or playing.

What to do if a dog is choking, how can you help?

• During an attack of “reverse sneezing,” you can gently stroke the animal’s throat.
• It is also helpful to pinch his nose to force the dog to open his mouth and take a deep breath. Then this “sneezing” will stop instantly.
• If the attack does not stop and there is a suspicion of a foreign object entering the nasopharynx or a heart attack, as well as respiratory diseases, the animal must be urgently taken to a veterinarian.
• However, if you see an object and you can pull it out yourself, it is better to act and try to carefully remove this object.
• If your dog is choking with fear in an anxious environment, you can simply give him a sedative prescribed by your veterinarian.
• If this condition recurs quite often, it is worth undergoing a course of special treatment.

“There is no creature more loyal to a dog,” the famous Electronics sang in the famous film. Millions of dog lovers will agree with this without hesitation. They become members of the family: they rejoice at our arrival, are sad when we have problems, keep company when we are bored, and periodically get sick, just like us, and require special care.

Almost every lover of our little brothers has ever encountered a dog coughing as if it was choking. Particularly sensitive owners of four-legged friends begin to panic in such a situation, assuming different, sometimes completely unthinkable and, of course, incredibly serious options for diseases. It is quite obvious that these actions do not lead to anything good. So let's find out why the dog coughs.

What to do when a dog begins to choke involuntarily?

When that very moment has arrived: the dog begins to choke, and you need to act, it’s time to act according to a pre-planned algorithm.

1. First of all, you need to stroke the dog's throat.
2. Next, close the four-legged nose to check the pet’s ability to breathe through its mouth.
3. If there is a foreign object in the mouth, try to unobtrusively remove it. If you can’t do this yourself, then don’t waste time - immediately go to the veterinarian. Only a professional can painlessly solve this problem.
4. If your pet develops a runny nose, you should immediately consult a doctor. In most cases, we can talk about prescribing medications that will help for a full recovery.
5. In a situation where a pet begins to choke in a rather alarming environment, you need to try to convey to him that you are nearby, and, therefore, everything will be fine. In such an unusual situation, you can even resort to purchasing a special dog sedative.

In such a situation, we can talk about a sufficient number of root causes for the dog “grunts” of your ward that arise out of nowhere. As an owner, you should familiarize yourself in advance with the likelihood of such a situation occurring, and also learn how to deal with it, or at least learn the correct algorithm of actions.

The animal may be breathing heavily, and this is undoubtedly the case when you should go to the nearest veterinary clinic. True, we should not forget that we still need to get to it. Thus, all responsibility for the life of your four-legged dog rests solely with you.

What should the owner do in this situation? First of all, don't panic. You need to calm down and come to your senses: in the vast majority of situations, grunting lasts only a couple of seconds, and even then it is not that strong. There are undoubtedly reasons for concern. However, there is no need to worry or panic. Only in a situation where the dog is really unwell should you sound the alarm.

Try, as first aid, to touch his nose, gently massage his throat, etc. Again, this should be done in such a way as not to unnecessarily irritate your pet and not transfer your own panic onto him. In a situation where the pet catches its breath on its own, give it a sip of fresh warm water. And as a logical conclusion to providing first aid, on the same day we go to the veterinarian for an examination. The decision is especially true if you have a Shar Pei, a bulldog, a pug, or a “brachycephalic.”

Video - Why does a dog grunt, wheeze, snore, choke and cough?

It happens that for some reason a dog begins to cough and wheeze, as if he was choking. But after some time the attack passes, and she again continues to live a normal life. If this happened once and did not happen again, then the owner should not worry, apparently his dog simply choked. But when coughing, wheezing and expectoration occur several times a day, it is cause for concern and indicates problems. Many owners panic because they don’t know why the dog is coughing, as if choking, or what is the reason for the pet’s repeated regurgitation and persistent wheezing.

Possible Causes of a Dog Cough

In fact, the reasons can be very diverse, and it does not necessarily have to be associated with serious diseases. For example, the body may react this way to hypothermia, as a result of which the pet could catch a cold.

Another reason could be an allergic reaction to something. The irritant in this case can be anything: from pollen to the carpeting of your apartment. It should be noted that in this case the dog coughs as if he was choking.

We should not forget about the most seemingly banal, but at the same time the most probable option. Your four-legged friend could well have a foreign object or food particles stuck in his throat, which irritates the mucous membrane and provokes a cough.

Video “For what reasons do dogs cough?”

You can find out the answer to this question from the video (the author of the video is Russian Toy Michelle - care, sewing clothes, shopping).

The article contains up-to-date information on one of the most popular issues related to health problems in puppies and dogs. Do not forget that this article, like any other materials offered on the Internet for pet lovers, is not a guide to action, as it refers to educational materials.

Only a veterinarian and only after an examination has the opportunity to make an accurate diagnosis of a pet, since no one can tell in absentia what the problem is and how best to eliminate it.

The dog is choking, rolling his eyes, swelling of the larynx, what are the reasons and how to help

Relieving swelling of the larynx can be difficult even for specialists, and often only surgical intervention can help save the animal.

Swelling of the larynx occurs with infectious diseases, allergies and a number of other functional disorders.

You can help a choking dog by freeing it from the collar, ensuring peace, and getting it to the clinic as quickly as possible.

The dog coughs as if suffocating and grunts his nose, sobs what to do

These symptoms are usually characteristic of a cold, heart attack, helminthic infestation, or associated with stress.

However, there are a number of animal breeds in which snorting and sobbing are inherent due to their anatomical features.

If the described phenomenon passed as suddenly as it arose, then there is no danger to the health of the animal.

The dog chokes when you press on its sides, when it is happy, eats, drinks and wheezes reasons

The dog may choke when pressure is applied to its sides due to fluid accumulation in its chest cavity. It is better to show the animal to a veterinarian.

Wheezing during intense joy in an animal occurs from an excess of emotions. In this case, you should try to calm the dog slightly by stroking its throat, or switch the animal’s attention to something else.

The cause of a dog choking when eating or drinking may be a recessed epiglottis or a respiratory tract infection. To avoid suffocation and death of the animal, it is better to consult a veterinary clinic on this issue.

The dog is choking after a walk, eating, barking, jogging, at night in a dream, what could it be?

Symptoms when a dog lacks air at night while sleeping, as well as after feeding, barking, jogging or a simple walk should alert the owner of the animal, as they indicate that the pet’s airways are not healthy.

A dog is choking in a car, a muzzle, something in the trachea, foam at the mouth, an attack due to a bad heart, from worms, the tongue turns blue

If an attack of suffocation is provoked by the excitement experienced by the dog, for example, from traveling in a car, putting on a muzzle, etc. , then it is enough to simply calm the animal by stroking its throat.

Things are more serious when the dog suffocates due to a heart condition, worms, or a foreign body entering the trachea. Self-medication is unacceptable here and sedatives will not help.

The dog is choking and vomiting, shaking, rabies

A rabid dog may indeed choke, shake, and gag. This is due to the onset of paralysis.

A dog is choking on a leash on the street, lying on its back, in the cold, first aid, what to give

First aid for choking attacks in dogs is to pinch the animal’s nose so that the next breath is taken through the mouth. If suffocation is caused by anxiety, then the dog must be given a sedative.

Breathing problems during severe frost are usually not critical, but it is better to reduce walks in such weather to a minimum.

The dog suddenly or at times suffocates and loses consciousness with what to treat

No veterinarian can make a correct diagnosis (and, accordingly, treatment) for these symptoms in absentia. The animal needs examination.

As practice shows, it is not always easy to decide how to use and buy a leash and harness for a dog so that it really has…

The article draws attention to one of the common problems, which is always problematic to cope with, since not everyone knows the current legislation and...

It must be remembered that wheezing is not an independent disease. As a rule, they act as a symptom of various diseases. Wheezing is an abnormal breathing sound caused by damage to the lungs, trachea, or bronchi. The cause of wheezing may be a narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi and trachea as a result of inflammation, the presence of effusion and mucus in the organs. Wheezing can be dry or wet.

Causes of the disease

Hoarse breathing in dogs and cats occurs due to the following reasons:

• Brachycephalic syndrome. This pathology is characterized by excessive growth of the velum palatine and narrowing of the lumen of the nostrils. As a result, the volume of air inhaled decreases. The most common breeds with brachycephalic syndrome are French bulldogs, Pekingese, pugs, boxers, British cats and Persian cats.
• Swelling of the larynx. This condition can be caused by allergic reactions, foreign objects in the oral cavity, and tracheal intubation.
• Laryngeal paralysis. A predisposition to this pathology is typical for older animals.
• Tracheal collapse. This disease occurs more often in decorative breeds of dogs. We are talking about toy terriers, chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers, and spitz dogs.
• The presence of foreign bodies in the upper respiratory apparatus.
• Tumor processes affecting the respiratory system.
• Inflammation of the lungs and bronchi.
• Swelling of lung tissue.

Clinical picture
The appearance of moist rales is associated with the accumulation of pathological fluid or blood masses in the respiratory tract. Listening to these wheezes is facilitated by both inhalation and exhalation. The accumulation of abundant contents in the lungs and trachea is accompanied by the appearance of sonorous wheezing, heard at a short distance from the animal. As a rule, such wheezing manifests itself as pulmonary edema, bronchitis, combined inflammation of the bronchi and lungs, and pulmonary hemorrhage. The appearance of crepitating wheezes is based on the straightening of stuck together alveoli by air masses. Such wheezing is usually detected during exhalation. This symptom is characteristic of pulmonary emphysema, atelectasis, fibrosis and pneumonia.

The occurrence of dry wheezing is associated with a narrowing of the bronchial or tracheal lumen. Such wheezing is detected with airway obstruction, bronchitis, and bronchospasm.

A significant narrowing of the lumen of the upper respiratory tract is accompanied by noisy breathing, which can be detected without a phonendoscope. Noisy breathing is characteristic of paralysis of the glottis, foreign bodies in the trachea.

Treatment

Treatment, diagnosis and prognosis for hoarse breathing are influenced by the underlying disease. Detection of respiratory wheezing in an animal is an indication for immediate seeking veterinary help. It must be remembered that the diagnosis of various respiratory pathologies requires the presence of special equipment. We are talking about an X-ray room, a bronchoscope, etc.

Providing the animal with normal access to oxygen is indicated as first aid. To do this you need to open the windows. You can also use an oxygen tank. If possible, an examination of the animal's oral cavity for the presence of foreign bodies is provided. However, you need to be very careful when doing this. This is due to the possibility of aggressive behavior of the animal.

The veterinarian clarifies the accompanying symptoms (shortness of breath,) data on possible hypothermia and allergic predisposition. To identify the disease, radiography, general and biochemical blood tests are indicated. It is also necessary to study the gas composition of the blood. Further treatment tactics are influenced by the suspected disease.

Moist rales occur when blood or exudate accumulates in the airways. Air passing through an obstacle emits a specific sound that can be heard when inhaling and exhaling even at a distance. This symptom indicates the following diseases: bronchopneumonia, bronchitis, pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhage.

With emphysema, pneumonia and fibrosis, dull, crackling wheezing is observed. This occurs during the passage of air, which separates the stuck together alveoli. A whistling sound can be observed when a foreign body enters the trachea, paralysis of the glottis.

Some respiratory diseases are breed-specific. Chihuahuas, Toy Terriers, and Spitz dogs are susceptible to tracheal collapse. Initially, a cough appears, then the condition worsens, the dog breathes heavily, suffocates, and loses consciousness.

Which breeds are more prone to coughing?

It is immediately worth noting that there are a number of breeds that have a genetic predisposition to problems of this kind due to the characteristics of the body. These breeds include dogs that have a flat muzzle and, as a result, a shortened nasal region. First on this list are the much-loved Pugs and English Bulldogs. This group also includes Pekingese, Japanese Chins, Griffons, and in some cases even Shar-Peis. If you are the owner of a dog of one of these breeds, you should not immediately panic if your dog coughs as if he is choking.

What to do if your dog has a cough

First of all, if a dog is coughing, this is not a reason to panic. Carefully examine the animal's oral cavity, look as deep as possible into the throat of your four-legged friend. Be sure to feel your pet's esophagus from the outside. This will help eliminate the possibility of a foreign object.

Wait a while and observe your pet's behavior. If the situation has not changed and your dog is coughing as if he is choking for an extended period, you should contact your veterinarian.

The specialist will be able to determine the source of the problem immediately or will issue a referral for the necessary tests and examinations, which will allow the correct treatment to be prescribed.

In short, if a dog coughs, this is not a reason to panic. This is not necessarily a symptom of tracheobronchitis or dirofilariasis.

Your task in this case is to remain calm, love your pet and seek advice in a timely manner.

A dog, when playing with sticks or small objects (buttons, balls), can chew off and choke on a small part of the “toy”. Also, when dogs eat meat products, they can swallow bones from fish or chicken. All of these objects can get stuck in the throat or esophagus. Every owner needs to know what to do if a dog is choking and suffocating.

Causes and treatment of cough in dogs: notes for caring dog owners

Sometimes dog breeders encounter this problem when the dog coughs as if he was choking and is trying to regurgitate something. Pets, especially purebred ones, need care no less than small children. From this material you can familiarize yourself with the main symptoms and causes of cough in dogs.

If your dog is coughing as if he is choking, then first you need to understand the symptoms. When pets of large or small breeds cough heavily and constantly, spit up drool, foam and grunt, this may indicate serious illness. Experts identify several signs that are considered evidence of certain problems.

Therefore, before giving your pet any medications, you should diagnose his health condition and pay attention to the accompanying symptoms:

• if a dog burps, mucus may come out of his nose at the same time;
• cough in dogs may be accompanied by weight loss;
• the dog stops being active as before, he becomes lethargic and even depressed;
• during active activities and exercise, your pet breathes evenly;
• foam may come from the mouth, the pet may vomit;
• if the dog is in a lying position, his breathing quickens;
• the pet wheezes and sneezes.

If the dog coughs as if choking, wheezes, sneezes, or vomits white foam, then it urgently needs to be taken to the veterinarian.

The owner should first of all pay attention to the condition of the pet’s gums; perhaps they are bleeding, ulcers have appeared on them, or they have turned pale.

Often, coughing in dogs occurs in parallel with an increased temperature. And if the dog wheezes and sneezes, you should also check the lymph nodes, they may be enlarged.

In addition, the breed of the pet, as well as its age, play an important role in this case. As practice shows, pets of certain breeds are sometimes prone to certain diseases.

What are the causes of cough

Why does the dog cough? Most breeders mistakenly believe that coughing in dogs is nothing more than a common cold. But this is fundamentally not true, and one should not attribute the pet’s poor health to this reason.

As practice shows, there can be a lot of reasons, all of them are discussed below:

• sometimes this may be a feature of a particular breed;
• tonsillitis;
• diseases of the oral cavity;
• viral tracheobronchitis;
• diseases of gums and teeth;
• spread of parasitic organisms;
• collapse of the trachea;
• tumor in the lungs;
• heart disease;
• an allergic reaction to something.

Viral cough

One of the most common reasons why a pet may cough is a viral cough. Typically, this disease manifests itself in the form of aviary cough or tracheobronchitis. As practice shows, infection is transmitted quite quickly as a result of contact with an infected pet. It only takes a minute of contact for your pet to get sick.

At the very early stage, the dog will cough, as if he is trying to burp something. After some time, the pet vomits white foam. The first thing you should do is take your pet to a specialist; subsequent treatment is carried out only after a complete examination of the patient by a doctor.

• At home, dry cough in pets is treated with antibiotics;
• an animal's irritated trachea can be treated with special anti-cough medications;
• if the dog wheezes and vomits white foam, treatment can be carried out using medications prescribed by a doctor;
• when your pet loses its appetite and refuses food, prevent contact with other pets;
• for enlarged tonsils, doctors usually prescribe the use of expectorants (video author - Ludmila Podgaevskaya).

Mechanical damage and foreign bodies

It often happens that the pet not only coughs, but also wheezes, and blood comes out of the mouth. Apparently, in this case the cause is the presence of a foreign object in the body.

All breeders know that animals often swallow various things, but they are usually digested in the stomach. So, if a dog wheezes and blood comes out of his mouth, then this happens quite rarely.

The cause may be damage to the central nervous system or rapid swallowing of food, which is especially important for pets of small breeds.

A similar cough may also occur as a result of collar strangulation. In addition, the cause may be a tumor or the presence of fluid in the respiratory tract. One way or another, the only thing you need to do is seek help from a specialist.

The main symptoms are as follows:

• the dog may try to burp;
• the dog wheezes, vomits, sometimes foam;
• the animal sneezes;
• saliva and blood are released from the mouth;
• the dog does not want to eat or drink;
• foam may come out of the nose (video author - dog-channel.tv).

Allergic cough

In both a puppy and an adult, coughing sometimes appears only at certain times of the year. If this is the case, then most likely your pet simply has an allergy. However, the cause of the appearance of the symptom can also be the animal’s reaction to the bites of various insects. In addition, the cause of an allergic cough may well be dust or certain substances in the diet.

Just giving a dog or puppy a drug to relieve allergy symptoms is not an option. In order for the treatment to be most effective, it is first necessary to find out why the allergy appeared.

However, only an examination by a veterinarian will allow you to quickly obtain a more accurate result.

The main symptoms of an allergic cough are given below:

• a puppy or adult dog begins to tear;
• the animal's eyes may turn red;
• the animal sneezes;
• sometimes an allergic reaction manifests itself in the form of skin rashes.

Cough caused by parasites

The more serious problem in this case is parasites.

As practice shows, infection of a pet’s body with parasites usually occurs when an adult or puppy lives in unsanitary conditions.

In particular, we are talking about parasites such as hookworms and toxocaras. The process of infection by a harmful organism begins at the moment when a pet accidentally swallows a larva or parasite.

The parasite enters the lungs through the bloodstream. Excessive presence of parasites in the animal’s body can cause tracheobronchitis, as well as other inflammatory processes. Dirofilariasis is caused by a helminth that enters the bloodstream through a mosquito bite. It is always better to carry out prevention than to treat later.

The symptoms of cough caused by parasitic organisms are given below:

• when the dog lies down, the cough will intensify;
• the dog begins to lose weight sharply;
• the dog gets tired quickly;
• the pet swallows with difficulty or cannot do it at all;
• if the parasite is cardiac, then the animal may experience convulsions, as well as photophobia;
• the overall appearance of the animal deteriorates.

Toxacara parasite

"Cardiac" cough

Cardiac cough in dogs occurs due to damage to the cardiac mitral valve. Because of this disease, fluid begins to collect in the pet’s lungs, which puts very strong pressure on the trachea.

In addition, cardiac cough may occur as a result of dilated cardiomyopathy, which is characteristic of large varieties.

If you are the owner of a puppy or small dog weighing up to 7 kg, the likelihood of such a disease is extremely low.

The main symptoms are given below:

• fluid began to accumulate in the abdominal cavity;
• the gums have acquired a bluish-gray tint;
• the animal's activity has decreased significantly;
• the dog wheezes and develops a dull cough;
• the intensity increases (video author - Ludmila Podgaevskaya).

Cough due to cancer

Sometimes the problem can manifest itself as a result of the pet developing cancer. As a rule, in this case the breed does not play a role; the problem usually manifests itself in older age.

There can be several types of tumor, and treatment options depend on this. For example, if your dog has a primary or secondary tumor, it may feel better if you give him steroids.

In any case, you should not give any medications yourself without a doctor’s prescription.

How to treat a cough in a dog if the cause is type 1 adenocarcinoma:

• when activity and mobility decrease, veterinarians usually prescribe bronchodilators;
• if the animal exhibits shortness of breath, then steroids can help solve the problem;
• For arrhythmia, the optimal treatment option is bronchodilator drugs.

Prevention of cough in dogs

If a dog vomits foam and sneezes, what should the breeder do? Treatment of cough in dogs should be carried out strictly based on the results of an examination by a specialist who will first identify the cause. As for the breeder, he must take preventive measures on time; this is the only way to reduce the risk of disease.

What does prevention mean:

• regular check-ups with a doctor;
• pet vaccination;
• implementation of parasitic prevention;
• providing the animal with all the necessary vitamins;
• providing the dog with a quality diet and living conditions;
• Always monitor your dog for changes in behavior and activity.

Prevention of cough, as a symptom of “kennel” cough, can to some extent be timely vaccination. Prevention of dirofilariasis - regular treatment with drops against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.

Physiology of swallowing

Swallowing is partly a reflex act:

• Its first phase - chewing in the mouth - is controlled by consciousness.
• The second phase is direct swallowing - a reflex act that occurs when the receptors of the root of the tongue are irritated.
• The third phase - the movement of a food coma in the esophagus - is also involuntary and occurs when the walls of the esophagus are irritated.

It is worth noting that in the second phase, when swallowing, the soft palate rises, which is why the communication of the pharynx with the nasal cavity stops. This reflex act is aimed at preventing food from entering the trachea. However, everyone knows that choking can be quite easy. This also happens in dogs, although it is rare (they do not talk while eating).

Blockage of the esophagus is a fairly rare occurrence, since the pharynx is designed in such a way as not to allow an excessively large and hard food bolus to pass through. But this is still possible, since dogs eat food quite actively and quickly. Most often, incidents occur when dogs are fed fish or chicken bones, as well as when actively playing with sticks or small objects (balls, corks).

The dog is coughing as if he was choking

You need to understand that coughing is a nonspecific sign of many pathologies, so you cannot immediately conclude that the dog is choking. First, take a closer look at the moment the cough appears. If the symptom appears in your pet while eating or when he is gnawing on something, then it is likely that he was choking. Otherwise, a cough indicates other possible diseases.

A cough must first be distinguished from vomiting:

• The gag reflex uses the abdominal muscles.
• When coughing, the muscles of the chest are used.

Also, vomiting always ends with the expulsion of vomit.

A foreign object is indicated by the cough and the absence of additional symptoms. A cough due to bronchitis or another disease is necessarily accompanied by other symptoms. When a dog chokes on grass or another object, there are no additional signs of illness. The pet was just playing and having fun, gnawing on a stick, and a second later he started coughing - this is a sure sign that the dog is choking and is coughing from this.

Typically, this type of cough ends with the object being expelled from the throat and the pet spitting it out or chewing and swallowing it again. Also, a sharp development of cough indicates a foreign object. In pulmonary diseases, the cough increases gradually, initially it is hoarse and whistling. If the dog is choking, the cough will be strong and sharp immediately, with no additional noise (whistle or gurgle).

The dog coughs and vomits white foam

In addition to adeneurosis, white foam from the mouth with cough can occur against the background of banal poisoning with low-quality food products

. Vomit can be of different colors and consistency. Nausea may occur after meals or on an empty stomach.

Even the discharge of white transparent foam or water is dangerous for the animal, as it can lead to exicosis

. And red, black and gray vomit serves as a signal of serious problems. For example, about the presence of gastrointestinal diseases: colitis, pancreatitis, intestinal volvulus, or a disturbance in the functioning of the liver or kidneys.

A pet may vomit from overheating in the sun or an overdose of medications.

Also, white foam at the mouth is one of the first signs of a rabid dog. This is a terrible and irreversible viral disease that occurs after being bitten by another infected animal.

The dog's behavior changes from indifferent to aggressive, it begins to become exhausted, and it becomes difficult for it to swallow even water. The barking becomes hoarse. It gets worse: the dog becomes uncontrollable, attacks its owners, and stops drinking and eating.

Due to exhaustion, the disease is often fatal.

Symptoms

First you need to decide on the nature of the foreign body. When swallowing sharp or round objects, the signs of a problem and first aid are slightly different.

• When swallowing sharp bones or bits of a strong toy, the dog becomes very anxious and is not distracted by anything else. Excessive salivation occurs and vomiting may occur. Clots or streaks of scarlet blood are often found in saliva and vomit. The pet scratches its muzzle with its front paws, as if trying to free itself from the muzzle, sometimes even gnawing on the ground (see).
• If a round foreign body (ball, nut, plug) is stuck in the esophagus, then the pet experiences frequent vomiting, drooling, and coughing. The animal may try to take food, but after a minute, with a strong vomiting movement, it coughs everything back up almost unchanged. Over time, on the second day, the animal’s anxiety may increase, and a painful reaction is observed when the esophagus is probed.

First aid technique for a dog if it is choking

When a dog chokes on food, the first thing to do is calm down and not panic. First, assess your pet's condition. If his tongue turns blue and breathing is difficult, then urgent veterinary help is needed. You cannot force your dog to drink vegetable oil, because the pet’s swallowing reflex may be impaired due to a foreign body. There are special techniques that will help him, but if possible, it is still better to take your four-legged friend to the veterinarian.

If it is not possible to contact a specialist, you need to help the dog cough up a foreign object. For large and small dogs, the assistance technique will be slightly different.

Big dog

If the dog is wheezing or coughing, then stand slightly behind the dog. Bend over and wrap your arms around your pet's body where the chest meets the stomach. Place the fist of your right hand under the sternum in the area where it meets the stomach. With your other hand, grab the elbow or wrist of your right hand so that both hands fit snugly against the animal's body. Then you need to forcefully squeeze the pet’s body forward and upward.

Repeat the compression until the dog coughs up the foreign object. After this, it would not hurt to remove the foreign body from the mouth so that the pet does not choke on the bone again. Usually 3-6 pressures are enough for the dog to cough up the bone or food. If you have repeated the movements 10 times already, but there is no result, then urgently call a veterinarian at home.

Little dog

If a small dog is choking, then it needs to be placed on your lap and pressed with its back to your chest. Place the fist of your right hand at the junction of the sternum and the stomach, and it is advisable to hold your head with your left hand. Push sharply forward and upward with your fist several times. Also, after coughing up an object, it is advisable to remove it from the pet’s mouth.

Ways to treat dog snoring

In cases where the diagnosis of the animal has shown that it is healthy, it is necessary to analyze the conditions in which the pet lives. It is precisely in this situation that the problem lies.

It is also necessary to additionally review the animal’s diet. If necessary, he can be put on an appropriate diet prescribed by a veterinarian. In addition, you should definitely determine the level of air humidity in the room where your pet sleeps. Another important parameter is air temperature. Sometimes snoring indicates excessive dryness in the room.

The pet needs to create favorable living conditions

You also need to pay attention to the position in which the dog sleeps. To stop your pet from grunting and snoring, in some cases it is enough to turn it on its side with its paws extended. In this situation, the body relaxes and pressure on the chest decreases.

You should analyze the places where the dog usually spends time. First of all, this applies to walking outside. In these places there are often flowers or grass. Their pollen in some cases causes an allergic reaction. In addition, certain chemicals provoke the corresponding problem. With their help, bedding or toys can be treated. Pathogens are also sometimes found in low-quality plastics that may be used to make bowls or other pet items.

When it doesn't work out

If there is no desired result from the above actions, palpate your pet’s esophagus. If a foreign body in the form of a compaction is felt at the very beginning of the esophagus, then it may be possible to remove it with tweezers. Otherwise, you need to take your pet to the veterinarian.

The dog's mouth is opened with the handle of a spoon or fork and the root of the tongue is pressed. The dog's head needs to be held firmly; it is better to ask for help, as the procedure is unpleasant and the pet will struggle. Then they try to grab the stuck object with tweezers. The entire procedure is carried out carefully so as not to inadvertently push the foreign body even further. Also, you should not pull out the object with a jerk, as you can damage the esophagus.

After removal, continue to monitor your pet. If your dog shows extreme anxiety when swallowing and blood clots are found in the saliva, you should contact your veterinarian. Also, if you cannot remove the foreign body, you must immediately take your pet to a specialist.

Wheezing in dogs is characteristic of many diseases. In themselves, they are a definite symptom and manifest themselves as pathological breathing noise.

Wheezing is divided into dry and wet depending on the source of its origin (bronchi, lungs or trachea) and a number of other reasons.

Snoring, which is a symptom of the disease

The main disease of brachycephalic dogs that leads to snoring concerns excessive thickening of the soft palate. This disease in veterinary medicine is called hyperplasia. This pathology affects not only problems with the respiratory system, but also the appearance of suffocation during sleep. Most often, this occurs in breeds such as boxers, pugs, bulldogs, and chins.

In order to make a correct diagnosis, the dog owner needs to seek help from a veterinarian. The latter should conduct a thorough examination of the animal, take appropriate blood and urine tests, and also examine the pet’s gases. Depending on the results of the study, one of the following decisions is made:

• leaving hyperplasia without appropriate medical intervention;
• carrying out the operation.

If a dog of a brachycephalic breed snores for a long time or makes sounds similar to grunting, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic. In such animals, in addition to hyperplasia, other problems are often diagnosed - excess weight or heart overload.

Symptoms

Wet or blistering rales occur when blood, exudate or transudate accumulates in the respiratory tract and air passes through them noisily. Such wheezing is heard both when inhaling and exhaling. Sometimes they can be heard at a distance from the animal when a large amount of content accumulates in the respiratory organs. Such severe wheezing is characteristic of:

• bronchitis,
• pulmonary edema,
• pulmonary hemorrhage,
• bronchopneumonia.

Crackling or crepitating rales are better distinguishable during exhalation. They occur when air expands stuck together alveoli, which is typical for atelectasis, emphysema, pneumonia and fibrosis. Dry wheezing occurs when there is a viscous secretion and a narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi or trachea. More pronounced during exhalation and, obstruction of the respiratory tract, bronchospasm.

Inspiratory whistling or stridor is noisy breathing that occurs with a significant narrowing of the lumen of the upper respiratory tract and is characteristic of BCS, paralysis of the glottis, or foreign body entering the trachea.

Possibly caused by a tumor

Dogs can also develop cancerous tumors in the body, including in the respiratory tract. In this case, the tumor acts as a foreign body that blocks breathing. In the following cases, your pet requires a diagnostic examination:

• strange sounds when breathing appear gradually, this can happen over several months or even years;
• when these symptoms intensify, problems with respiratory processes appear, the dog often coughs;
• the general condition of the dog is deteriorating - the dog is lethargic, apathetic, is not interested in surrounding events, refuses food;
• A runny nose occurs, in which bloody mucus and particles of destroyed tissue appear in the usual exudate.

Such symptoms should alarm the dog owner and is a good reason to visit a veterinarian.

As the colony of worms increases, the breathing of the dog, especially the puppy, will worsen, since the circulation of air masses is inadequate. Again, the danger lies not in grunting or hissing, but in the fact that there have been cases where puppies died, literally suffocating. With progressive helminthic infestation, there is a risk that all offspring will die!

When the dog breathes, gurgling, wheezing sounds are heard, he begins to grunt, sniffle, trying to push air into the lungs with irritated and inflamed walls. If the helminthic infestation has developed to such a clinical picture, a doctor’s consultation is required, since if there is any delay, the dog will develop pneumonia or severe bronchial inflammation.

Why does the dog wheeze?

A common cause of wheezing in French bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese, and boxers is brachiocephalic syndrome. This is a narrowing of the lumen of the nostrils and excessive growth of the velum palatine, leading to a decrease in the volume of inhaled air. The animal almost constantly breathes with its mouth open, whistling and wheezing, and snores at night.

Allergic reactions, tracheal intubation, or foreign objects entering the oral cavity may cause laryngeal edema or laryngospasm. In older animals, paralysis of the vocal and laryngeal cords occurs, which is accompanied by shortness of breath and even fainting. Toy breeds of dogs (Chihuahuas, Toy Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, Spitz and others) are most prone to tracheal collapse.

At first it begins with a cough, and then becomes aggravated by shortness of breath and loss of consciousness. A dog may wheeze if it suddenly inhales some foreign body, including a piece of dry food. Neoplasms may appear in the respiratory organs, which is accompanied by shortness of breath and coughing, sometimes with blood. One of the most common causes of wheezing, especially in the cold season, is bronchitis or pneumonia. They are usually . Also, wheezing in a dog can occur due to pulmonary edema, which is also accompanied by shortness of breath and pallor of the mucous membranes.

Treatment of wheezing in dogs

Treatment directly depends on the cause of wheezing, which is detected as a result of radiography, laryngo-tracheo-bronchoscopy and other types of diagnostic examination. So, to treat brachiocephalic syndrome, paralysis of the vocal cords and larynx, and severe cases of tracheal collapse, surgical intervention is necessary.

Laryngeal edema and laryngospasm are treated with medications that relieve swelling. Mechanical ventilation may also be needed. If a foreign body enters the respiratory tract, bronchoscopy and endoscopic removal of the object are necessary.

Why does my dog ​​snore in his sleep?

Snoring in dogs can be either a natural physiological phenomenon or the first symptom of a disease.

Pet snoring is a common, natural occurrence that can occur for a variety of reasons.

Causes of Natural Snoring in Dogs

1.

Excess body weight can become one of the animal's sleep problems and the cause of snoring.

2.

An incorrect bite prevents your pet from breathing healthy, and also if the dog's jaw is too tight. A situation may also arise when the animal’s tongue sinks into the throat and when oxygen is inhaled and exhaled, vibration is provoked, thus snoring can occur.

3.

A runny nose, in which mucus is released from the nose or when the nose is slightly stuffy - these processes cause complications in the functioning of the respiratory tract, causing snoring.

4.

Undoubtedly, the health of the animal can be greatly affected by inhalation of cigarette smoke, which entails an allergic reaction in the pet’s body. And during sleep you can hear snoring.

5.

It is worth remembering that there are dog breeds in which snoring is an innate gene. Pugs, bulldogs, and boxers have a brachycephalic appearance of the skull and since such breeds have narrowed nasal passages, severe breathing difficulties occur.

Causes of snoring due to illness

However, snoring can occur as a symptom of a disease. The disease in a pet can occur due to excess weight.

If an animal is obese, grunting can occur not only during sleep, but also when running and walking. Due to the significant mass, the dog’s larynx swells too much, so the dog cannot inhale sufficient oxygen.

Asthma is a disease with which it is extremely difficult for a dog to live. It entails a variety of serious complications for the pet’s health.

The dog often experiences allergic reactions, suffocation, periodically stretches its neck, and constantly opens its mouth, since it is difficult for the animal to breathe properly. That's why snoring occurs.

This disease cannot be cured, but with the help of medications it is possible to maintain the normal condition of the animal.

As for urolithiasis, such a disease over time leads to blockage of the ureter, then the insides of the pet’s body are displaced, and pain occurs.