If you've ever noticed your dog coughing, wheezing, or seemingly out of breath when they aren't playing or exercising, you may have wondered, "Can dogs have asthma?" While asthma in pets is more commonly associated with and seen in cats, dogs can suffer from asthma, too.
Canine asthma, medically known as allergic bronchitis, occurs when the airways of a dog's lungs become inflamed in response to an allergic reaction, narrowing and making it difficult for the dog to breathe properly. While asthma in dogs isn't quite the same as it for us humans, it can still result in a number of respiratory complications and be uncomfortable for a dog, so it's important for owners to know when their dog's breathing isn't quite right and when it's time to take them to the vet.
Common Triggers for a Dog Asthma Attack
Because dog asthma occurs as an inflammatory reaction to allergens in a dog's environment, many of the same things that can trigger allergies in our pets can also be responsible for asthma attacks. A few of the most common allergens that can trigger dog asthma include:
- Pollen
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Pet Dander
- Dust from Cat Litter
- Airborne pesticides or fertilizers
- Smoke (from cigarettes, fireplaces, or wildfires)
- Household cleaners or aerosols
- Perfumes, scented candles, or essential oils
If you're able to identify the source of your dog's asthma, the best course of action is to try to prevent your dog from coming into contact with the trigger allergen. The less exposure your dog has to the trigger allergen, the fewer asthma attacks they are likely to experience. For example, if smoke causes your dog to start coughing or wheezing, avoid having fires in indoor or outdoor fireplaces and discourage others from smoking when your dog is around.
However, depending on the trigger for your dog's asthma, that may be easier said than done. Some more commonly occurring allergens, like pollen and mold, are out of an owner's control and can be more difficult to avoid, especially during peak allergy seasons. In these cases, it's best to work with your veterinarian to develop a plan to best manage respiratory symptoms and avoid asthma triggers in your specific area.
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Asthma?
Asthma in dogs can be tricky for owners to identify, as there are numerous canine respiratory illnesses that share similar symptoms. However, if you notice your dog displaying any of these common respiratory symptoms, it's time to get your dog to the vet for an examination, regardless of whether or not asthma is the cause.
Signs Of Asthma In Dogs
- Wheezing: A high-pitched whistling sound when your dog breathes out.
- Persistent coughing: Often dry and hacking. It may come and go or be triggered by exercise, excitement, or irritants like dust or smoke.
- Labored breathing: Your dog may breathe faster than usual, with effort, especially during or after activity.
- Open-mouth breathing or panting excessively: This is especially concerning if it occurs when your dog is at rest or in an area with cool temperatures.
- Lethargy: If your dog seems unusually tired or uninterested in play, it may be due to reduced oxygen intake.
- Bluish gums or tongue: This is a sign of severe oxygen deprivation and is a veterinary emergency.
- Loss of appetite: The lethargy and discomfort caused by asthma can lead to a decreased desire to eat.
- Weight loss: Decreased appetite can cause a dog to gradually lose weight.
Any respiratory illness in dogs can have a major impact on their happiness and quality of life, so it's important to work closely with your veterinarian and act early once you notice any of these common dog asthma symptoms. When not properly addressed, chronic respiratory difficulties in dogs can limit their energy, decrease their activity levels and willingness to play, cause unnecessary anxiety or distress during flare-ups and asthma attacks, and even interrupt their sleep, leaving your dog cranky, irritable and not like the best friend you know and love.
When left untreated, these symptoms and the respiratory illnesses that cause them can also lead to other undesirable health complications. When a dog struggles to breathe or get enough oxygen, additional stress can be placed on their heart and other organs, putting them at risk of organ damage or, in more severe cases, organ failure. Secondary infections are another risk dogs face when respiratory illnesses are allowed to progress, as a dog's inflamed airways can become an ideal environment for bacteria and viruses to multiply and flourish.
What Dogs Can Get Asthma?
Asthma can affect any dog under the right conditions, but some dogs may be more prone to asthma and asthma-like symptoms than others due to their anatomy, lifestyle, health status, and genetics. For example, smaller dogs, like miniature and toy breeds, are more likely to experience an asthma attack because their airways are structurally smaller than those of a large dog, exacerbating any effects of inflammation from allergens or other irritants.
Dog asthma is most commonly seen in adult and senior dogs; however, there are cases where younger dogs have been diagnosed with allergic bronchitis.
How Is Asthma Diagnosed in Dogs?
Unlike other more unique canine health conditions, there is no specific diagnostic test for dog asthma. Instead, veterinarians will employ a number of diagnostic techniques to rule out other respiratory illnesses, infections, or heart conditions that could be causing a dog's symptoms.
Understanding the severity and frequency of your dog's respiratory symptoms is crucial to helping a veterinarian properly diagnose dog asthma, so be prepared to answer questions about your dog's medical history, including:
- When did the coughing or wheezing start?
- Are symptoms worse during exercise or at certain times of the day?
- Have there been any recent environmental changes (new cleaners, smoke exposure)?
- Is there a known history of allergies?
Once they have a complete picture of your dog's symptoms and history, veterinarians will conduct a thorough physical exam, focusing on listening to your dog's heart and lungs for the presence of wheezing, irregular breathing patterns, and indications of inflammation or airway obstructions.
Based on the findings of the physical exam, there are a few other diagnostic tests your vet may employ to confirm a diagnosis of asthma in dogs, including chest X-rays, blood tests, urinary analysis, and even more specialized tests like heartworm testing to get to the root cause of a dog's symptoms.
Veterinarian Tip: Many dogs with respiratory issues or heart failure can look and sound very similar, making it difficult to diagnose by description. It can also be even more challenging to reproduce or activate a cough on demand during an exam. It's a bit like bringing your car to the mechanic; sometimes it just doesn’t act up when you need it to! When you notice your pet experiencing symptoms, record a short video. This footage can provide your veterinarian with valuable insights and allows them to observe and hear your pet’s episode in real-time, just as it occurs naturally.
Dog Asthma Treatment Options
When it comes to the treatment for dog asthma, the course of action will depend on the severity of the asthma, as well as if the dog is actively having an asthma attack or if you're looking for strategies or treatments to prevent an attack in the future.
Both inhaled and oral medications are a common starting place for treating asthma in dogs. Medications your veterinarian may prescribe include:
- Bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol) relax the muscles around the airways, providing quick relief during an attack.
- Corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone) reduce inflammation in the lungs and are used for long-term control.
- Oral corticosteroids to manage chronic inflammation.
- Antihistamines to help control allergy-related triggers.
- Immune-modulating drugs in cases where traditional medications aren't effective.
Using an Inhaler for Dogs
This may be surprising, but dogs can use inhalers just like us. Inhalers for dogs are one of the most effective ways to deliver medication directly to a dog's lungs, especially in chronic cases.
These devices look a little different than the human version of an inhaler, often featuring a small mask that fits over a dog's muzzle to create a good seal and increase the amount of medication they are inhaling, but generally work the same way as the human ones you're likely familiar with.
Inhalers for dogs are packed with inhalable medications – often Bronchodilators or Corticosteroids – that are prescribed by a veterinarian. While getting your dog to use a dog inhaler and actually breathe in their medication may be a little tricky at first, many dogs catch on how to use them quickly and tolerate them after a little encouragement, training, and patience.
Dogs should only use an inhaler prescribed and provided by their veterinarian, as human inhalers or other non-veterinarian guided treatments could be harmful or even toxic.
How To Treat Asthma In Dogs At Home
The less exposure to allergens your dog has, the less likely they are to have asthma attacks, so doing your best to keep your dog's environment allergen-free is a big step in the right direction for managing dog asthma at home. Oftentimes, good cleaning practices using fragrance-free and pet-safe cleaners can make a huge difference for dogs who suffer from asthma attacks triggered by dust, mold, dander, and cleaning products. Frequently vacuuming, washing bedding, and using air purifiers can make a big difference in a dog's exposure to allergens around the house.
However, it's important for owners to know that asthma can't always be treated or managed at home. In some cases, especially when the inflammation is severe, dog asthma can be a medical emergency. So, if your dog is showing signs of a severe asthma attack – such as gasping for air, blue gums or tongue, or collapsing – seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Asthma attacks can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Don't have a vet in your area yet? We can help you find a local veterinarian.
If you have more questions, the GeniusVets Teletriage platform will give you unlimited access to text and/or video calls with board-certified veterinarians! To learn more click here.