Key takeaways:
Like people, dogs can get asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and other respiratory problems.
In dogs, asthma is most commonly caused by seasonal allergies or sensitivity to environmental irritants.
Your veterinarian can help you determine the root cause of your dog’s asthma and develop a treatment plan to control symptoms and prevent future attacks.
Dogs can get asthma just like people. Veterinarians may not call it asthma — in dogs they’re likely to refer to it as allergic bronchitis, allergic airway disease, or allergic pneumonitis. But the symptoms are pretty much the same.
Asthma causes inflammation in the lungs and narrowing of the airways, leading to coughing, wheezing, and other symptoms. Finding a treatment for your dog’s asthma starts with determining the cause of their respiratory symptoms.
Symptoms of asthma in dogs
Most dogs show signs of itchy skin, such as scratching. But some get a scratchy throat or lung inflammation, which can trigger coughing fits.
The most common symptoms of asthma in dogs are:
Coughing
Wheezing
Gagging
Labored or shallow breathing
Excessive panting
Decreased energy or exercise intolerance
Causes of asthma in dogs
In dogs, asthma is often caused by allergies to irritants in their environment. The most common irritants include:
Pollen
Mold
Dust
Cigarette smoke
Strong odors
Cleaning products
How is asthma diagnosed in dogs?
Your vet will start by doing a physical exam and getting a complete medical history of your dog. They’ll ask how long your pet has been coughing and whether the cough started after the dog was around other pets.
The answers will help determine if the cough is related to any particular event or circumstance. For example, a boarding facility stay could cause kennel cough, a common condition that typically goes away on its own.
An important element of the diagnosis will be determining the potential cause of your dog’s coughing. During the physical exam, your vet will look in your dog’s mouth and throat. They’ll use a stethoscope to listen to sounds from the heart and lungs. This will help rule out diseases such as pneumonia.
The vet may also touch your dog’s throat to see if that causes coughing. This is a possible sign of a collapsing trachea, which is common in toy breeds.
Your dog may need further diagnostic tests including tests for parasites, chest X-rays, and blood work. These can rule out underlying infections or lung disorders. If a blood test reveals increased white blood cells, that could be a sign your dog has allergies.
How to treat canine asthma
Your vet will choose a treatment based on the cause of your dog’s asthma. Potential treatments include:
Albuterol sulfate (Proventil, Ventolin), which eases breathing by relaxing the muscles along the airway. This is prescribed to dogs as a pill or oral liquid.
Steroids such as prednisone that reduce lung inflammation. Your vet can give a steroid shot to quickly quiet severe coughing and prescribe steroid pills to control chronic asthma at home.
Antihistamines, which help treat seasonal allergies. These include clemastine (Tavist), trimeprazine (Temaril-P, Vanectyl-P), and astemizole (Hismanal).
Can your dog use your inhaler?
Your dog cannot use your inhaler because the doses typically prescribed to people could be toxic to dogs. It’s important to take your dog to your vet for a full checkup and diagnosis. The vet will prescribe the safest and most appropriate medication based on your dog’s diagnosis.
How can you prevent your dog from having an asthma attack?
The best way to prevent asthma attacks is to limit your dog’s exposure to environmental allergens and irritants. Strategies include:
Cleaning your dog’s coat with pet wipes after a trip outside to remove allergens such as pollen.
Frequently vacuuming carpets and fabric furniture to remove dust, mold, and other irritants.
Limiting your use of scented cleaning products such as air fresheners and cleaning solutions. Try safe alternatives such as baking soda to absorb odors and a vinegar-water mix to clean floors.
Washing your dog’s bedding regularly using fragrance-free detergents and fabric softeners.
Using dust-free litter and placing your cat’s litter box in a part of your home that your dog can’t get to.
The bottom line
Like people, dogs are susceptible to seasonal allergies and sensitivities to environmental irritants, which can cause asthma.
It can be scary to see your dog coughing and wheezing. But there are plenty of ways to treat their asthma and prevent future attacks. You can work with your veterinarian to determine the cause of your dog’s asthma and develop an effective treatment plan.
Medications that open up the airways, reduce lung inflammation, and control allergies can offer your dog quick relief from coughing and wheezing. And you can prevent asthma attacks going forward by limiting your dog’s exposure to lung irritants.
Why trust our experts?
References
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Hyland, K., et al. (n.d.). Albuterol sulfate. VCA Animal Hospitals.
Hulsebosch, S., et al. (2019). Evaluating and managing chronic cough in dogs. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
Kuehn, N. (2018). Introduction to lung and airway disorders of dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
LakeCross Veterinary. (n.d.). Asthma in dogs: Signs, symptoms and treatment options.
Pedersen, N. C. (2019). A review of immunologic diseases of the dog. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology.
Royal Veterinary College. (n.d.). Respiratory distress in cats and dogs.
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