How to recognise and treat pneumonia in dogs
If a dog falls ill with pneumonia, this means that the lung tissue has become inflamed. Pneumonia in dogs can have various causes, including viruses, bacteria and fungi.
Normally, treating pneumonia in dogs is not too much of a problem. However, it is still important to counteract the symptoms as soon as possible. Otherwise, pneumonia can be fatal for your dog.
The following sections explain what causes pneumonia in dogs, the symptoms it causes and how it is treated. We also explain what preventive measures you can take.
What causes pneumonia in dogs?
If a dog gets pneumonia, it can have a number of different causes. Very often pneumonia is caused by an infection with viruses or bacteria. In addition, however, parasites or fungi can also cause the dog's lungs to become inflamed.
Other possible causes of pneumonia in dogs include
- Water and food entering the lungs
- Inhaled toxic fumes
- Tumour diseases
- Heavy and untreated kennel cough
- An allergy of the dog
- Side effects of medication
How do you detect pneumonia in dogs?
The symptoms of pneumonia in dogs and the extent to which they are pronounced can vary considerably depending on the progress of the disease. In principle, the longer the dog's pneumonia is not treated, the more severe the symptoms will be.
The typical symptoms of pneumonia in dogs include rattling noises when breathing. It can also manifest itself as fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and discharge from the nose.
If the symptoms of pneumonia remain unnoticed for too long, it can eventually lead to shortness of breath and lack of oxygen, which is particularly noticeable in the dog's bluish discoloured mucous membranes.
Pneumonia in dogs is a case for the veterinarian
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from pneumonia, it is advisable to visit the vet as soon as possible. This is because pneumonia initially causes only mild symptoms such as breathing sounds and the dog coughing.
Over time, however, the symptoms increase, which affects the dog's immune system, making your pet susceptible to various other diseases.
Apart from this, pneumonia can lead to an embolism in your dog. This is a circulatory disorder that can easily be fatal if not treated.
Diagnosis of pneumonia in dogs
To get to the bottom of your suspicion, the veterinarian will first listen to your four-legged friend. He will also take x-rays of your dog's lungs to diagnose pneumonia.
To determine the severity of pneumonia, an endoscopy can also be performed and a sample of mucus can be taken to check for any bacteria in the lungs.
How is a dog with pneumonia treated?
Before the veterinarian can determine the necessary treatment measures, he or she must first determine the exact cause of your dog's pneumonia.
Because even though the actual pneumonia is usually always treated with antibiotics, the basic problem responsible may require additional measures. For example, in the case of a worm infestation as the trigger for pneumonia, it may be necessary to deworm your dog as part of the treatment.
Independently of this, herbal mucolytics can support the treatment with antibiotics and contribute to the recovery of your quadruped.
What are the chances of recovery for dogs with pneumonia?
Normally, the treatment of pneumonia in dogs is not a problem and the inflammation can be brought under control quite quickly. However, it can sometimes happen that antibiotics have to be administered over a period of about 12 weeks to achieve lasting relief.
In principle, you can assume that starting treatment as early as possible will contribute decisively to a fast and complication-free recovery.
Are dogs with pneumonia contagious?
Your dog's pneumonia is not contagious. There is therefore no risk to other dogs or to yourself. However, the underlying disease responsible for the pneumonia may be contagious. A prompt examination by your vet is therefore also advisable in this respect.
Can pneumonia in dogs be prevented?
If your dog's immune system is weakened, his susceptibility to infections increases, which among other things also increases the risk of pneumonia. To prevent this, it is advisable to support your dog's defences.
With Bellfor Immun, we have developed a special food supplement for this purpose. Bellfor Immun contains only natural ingredients such as propolis, sea buckthorn and insect protein from the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens).
Especially in winter, the valuable nutrients in Bellfor Immun can make a decisive contribution to strengthening your dog's immune system. This reduces the risk of disease and also ensures that your dog can more easily survive any existing pneumonia.
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