Understanding Asthma in Dogs
April 9, 2008
We as human beings are always under the impression that diseases can happen only to humans. But this is not correct. Diseases like asthma can happen even to animals such as dogs. So, asthma in dogs has become very common. In fact coughing, wheezing and overall feeling of shortness of breath not only happens to humans but also to animals. In fact, there have been some cases of asthma in dogs that eventually led to the dog’s demise.
What Happens When a Dog has Asthma Attacks?
Asthma symptoms in humans and animals such as dogs are very similar. In addition to this asthma in dogs also causes loss of appetite and general lethargy. So generally dogs stop eating and this is followed by weight loss during an asthma episode. However, the good news is that after the asthma episode has passed, the dog will often regain its appetite and overall good health. Apart from these the basic symptoms are the same. Such as the airway passages of the dogs could inflame and become constricted. Like human beings who are having asthma episodes, violent coughing, some wheezing and shortness of breath also characterize asthma in dogs. If not treated properly, asthma in dogs could lead to respiratory distress and other complications. Medication should be give to the dog to help it recover from the asthma episode. Thus proper treatment is absolutely essential for both humans and dogs.
Bronchial Asthma in Dogs
Most people would associate bronchial asthma to dogs as triggers and not as suffers. The thing is, asthma in dogs could actually be caused by allergens. Allergic bronchitis is a type of asthma, which causes the obstruction of the airways when the bronchi or the air passages of the lungs become filled up with mucous during an asthma attack
Diagnosing Asthma in Dogs
It is absolutely essential to detect any type of diseases in dogs. The reason is that if right treatment is not delivered on time, and then it could lead to demise of the dog. So in this case if the dog has been coughing for a while and has not been eating well, then it is imperative to take the dog to the veterinarian for a check-up. An x-ray of the dog’s chest should be taken to determine if there are no other medical problems in the dog. Coughing and general lethargy could sometimes mean that dog is suffering from other respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, thus it is always wise to get a chest x-ray to rule out other possibilities.
Can a Dog with Asthma Still Live a Normal Life?
Now many a times it is noted that humans face a lot of problems when contracted with asthma but the question is whether dogs also suffer or they are able to lead a normal life? The answer is quite unexpected. Dogs do lead a normal life in spite of having asthma. Only when dogs have asthma attacks, the situation is reverse. Otherwise there is not much of difference in the way the two live. Dogs with asthma perform similar activities as compared to those who don’t have asthma. Only thing that is necessary is that the earlier the disease is detected right medication can be administered and the life of your dear pet can be saved.
Summary:
Thus now unlike the popular belief that only human beings can fall ill, the very fact that dogs do get asthma attacks is very surprising. This deadlier disease can occur to anybody, anywhere, anytime. So one has to be careful of the symptoms, and contact a doctor in case of doubt.
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