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Dog pneumonia

Pneumonia is inflammation of the deep tissue in the lungs, where oxygen passes into the blood. The alveoli fill with fluid and inflammatory cells: the exchange surface is reduced and the dog lacks oxygen. It is most often of bacterial origi...

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Definition Signs Causes Transmission Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

It is most often of bacterial origin, but it often follows something else: a viral infection, a false route, an inhalation, an illness which weakens the defenses.

Unlike a simple kennel cough which remains in the upper passages, pneumonia affects the lung itself: the dog is depressed, feverish and breathing poorly. It is a disease that can become serious quickly, especially in puppies and older dogs.

Key point

Pneumonia can progress to respiratory distress within a few hours in puppies and older dogs: never wait.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Cough Fever Difficulty breathing Rapid breathing Loss of appetite Reduction Runny nose Fatigue Dehydration

A cough that is often wet, deep, sometimes productive.

A fever, a hot, depressed dog who no longer plays.

Rapid, shallow breathing, shortness of breath, sometimes noisy breathing.

A loss of appetite and a decline in general condition, often the first reason for consultation.

A nasal discharge, sometimes thick or colored.

In severe forms, marked respiratory difficulty, the dog keeps its neck stretched, elbows apart, and refuses to lie on its side.

Grayish or bluish mucous membranes in severe cases.

Dehydration from lack of drink and fever.

In puppies, a picture that worsens quickly, with weakness and cessation of feeding or eating.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

Bacteria that colonize the lungs, often after initial damage to the respiratory tract.

A prior viral infection – kennel cough, canine flu, distemper – which weakens the mucous membrane and opens the door to bacteria.

A false path: liquid, food, vomit or medicine administered by force that passes into the respiratory tract. It is a major cause in dogs that regurgitate, in brachycephalic dogs, in dogs with swallowing disorders or after anesthesia.

Inhalation of smoke, dust or irritants.

An inhaled foreign body, such as a spikelet.

Pulmonary parasites or fungal damage, more rare.

A decline in immune defenses: chronic illness, immunosuppressive treatment, very young or very old age.

Very young age and old age.

Community life and recent contact with other dogs.

Incomplete or not up to date vaccination.

Swallowing disorders, regurgitation, megaesophagus, paralysis of the larynx.

Brachycephalic breeds, particularly exposed to false routes.

Recent anesthesia or surgery.

Forced administration of liquids or medications by syringe, poorly done.

An underlying chronic illness, immunosuppressive treatment, malnutrition.

Exposure to smoke, dust and poorly ventilated confined environments.

Transmission

Pneumonia itself is not contagious, but the respiratory infections that precede it often are.

Kennel cough viruses and bacteria are transmitted from one dog to another by droplets emitted when coughing, by direct contact and by shared objects: bowls, toys, cages, hands and clothing.

Places of assembly are most at risk: kennels, shelters, boarding houses, exhibitions, parks, grooming.

A dog that coughs should be kept away from other dogs until veterinary advice is given.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

The veterinarian listens to the lungs, takes the temperature and assesses respiratory effort and oxygenation.

The chest x-ray is the key examination: it confirms lung damage, specifies its location and extent, and directs towards the cause - damage to the front lobes, for example, suggests a aspiration.

A blood test looks for infection and assesses general condition.

A sample of bronchial secretions, by washing under anesthesia, allows the bacteria in question to be identified and the most suitable antibiotic to be chosen using an antibiogram. This is particularly useful in severe or recurrent cases.

Depending on the context, additional examinations look for an underlying cause: swallowing disorder, foreign body, parasites.

Severe cases require hospitalization with oxygen therapy and perfusion.

Treatment

Treatment is based on antibiotics, chosen by the veterinarian and continued for a prolonged period, often several weeks, until radiographic control. Premature cessation is the leading cause of relapse.

Support is as important as the antibiotic: infusion to properly hydrate the dog, which thins secretions and helps to evacuate them; oxygen in severe forms; strict rest.

Respiratory physiotherapy, the nebulization of humid air followed by light taps on the chest, helps the dog to clear its bronchi. The veterinarian will show you the procedure if indicated.

Antitussives are generally contraindicated in pneumonia: coughing serves to evacuate secretions. Never give human syrup or leftover prescription.

A palatable and energetic diet supports recovery.

If an underlying cause exists — aspiration, foreign body, regurgitation — it must be treated, otherwise the pneumonia will return.

No antibiotic should be given without a prescription: the wrong choice or the wrong duration encourages resistance and masks the progression.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Keep vaccinations up to date, particularly those that protect against distemper and kennel cough agents, particularly for dogs living in communities or attending boarding and exhibitions.

Avoid contact with dogs that are coughing, and isolate your own dog if he is coughing.

Never administer a liquid or tablet by force while holding your head up: this is a classic cause of aspiration. Ask the veterinarian for the correct technique.

In dogs that regurgitate or suffer from a swallowing disorder, adjust meals and treat the cause.

Closely monitor brachycephalics and operated dogs upon awakening from anesthesia.

Avoid cigarette smoke, dust and confined spaces.

Consult early if you have a cough that lasts or is accompanied by depression.

Possible complications

Respiratory failure requiring prolonged oxygen therapy.

A spread of the infection throughout the body, with a state of shock.

A lung abscess or accumulation of pus around the lungs, which may require drainage.

Long-term after-effects on the bronchi, with a persistent chronic cough.

Relapses when the underlying cause was not identified or the antibiotic was stopped too early.

A rapidly fatal development in puppies, elderly or immunocompromised dogs if treatment is delayed.

When to see a veterinarian

Your dog coughs and appears depressed, feverish or refuses to eat.

His cough lasts more than a few days or gets worse.

He breathes quickly or with effort when resting.

He had an episode of aspiration, inhaled vomit, or received a liquid sideways.

He has gray or bluish mucous membranes, refuses to lie down, keeps his neck stretched: immediate emergency.

It is a puppy, an elderly dog or a dog that is already sick: consult without delay, the worsening can be very rapid.

Prognosis

Caught early and well treated, bacterial pneumonia is cured in the majority of cases, but convalescence is long and treatment must be completed.

The prognosis is more guarded in puppies, elderly dogs, immunocompromised animals, and in extensive aspiration pneumonia.

The presence of an uncorrected underlying cause exposes one to recurrence and worsens the long-term prognosis.

An x-ray check before stopping treatment is the best guarantee against relapse.

Frequently asked questions

How do you know if it's just kennel cough or pneumonia?

In kennel cough, the dog coughs hard but remains alert, eats and plays. In pneumonia, he is depressed, often feverish, eats little and breathes quickly. Only a chest x-ray can make a decision with certainty.

Can I give cough syrup?

No. Human syrups can be toxic to dogs, and above all, in pneumonia, coughing is useful: it clears secretions. Blocking it makes the situation worse. Any treatment must be prescribed after examination.

Why does the treatment take so long?

Because the lung takes time to heal and the bacteria persist beyond the disappearance of symptoms. Stopping as soon as the dog is better is the most common cause of relapse. The veterinarian decides to stop, often after a control x-ray.

Can I catch it?

The agents responsible for dog pneumonia are not transmitted to humans in common situations. On the other hand, the disease can be transmitted between dogs: keep a coughing dog away from others and wash your hands after treating it.