Overview
Asthma isn’t just a debilitating condition for us humans – it can affect our pets too.
Canine asthma is a condition that affects the lungs and airways in dogs and puppies, often causing shortness of breath and wheezing.
If you suspect your dog has asthma, read on to find out what it is, and what your vet can do to help alleviate the condition.
A brief summary...
Asthma can affect any dog, it’s an allergic reaction that makes breathing more difficult
Asthma can be triggered by pollen, mould, smoke and other irritants
Signs of asthma include panting, wheezing and coughing
If treated, asthmatic dogs can live long and happy lives
Removing irritants from your home can help to reduce your dog’s symptoms
Untreated asthma can cause lasting damage, so contact your vet if you’re concerned
What is asthma?
Also known as allergic airway disease or canine allergic bronchitis, dog asthma occurs when mucus and inflammation make breathing hard for your dog. It’s a condition that can affect all ages and breeds of dog, though it’s more common in smaller breeds in middle to older age.
As in humans, dog asthma can be caused by an allergy such as pollen, household chemicals, dust, mould or mildew, or cigarette smoke. Any one of these triggers can cause excess mucus production and inflammation of your dog’s airways, making it hard for them to breathe. Occasionally, the cause of canine asthma is unknown.
Signs and symptoms of asthma in dogs
Signs and symptoms of canine asthma include:
Heavy panting
Wheezing
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing – sometimes sudden
Loss of energy
Unusual gum colour compared to normal
Loss of appetite
Rapid breathing
Diagnosing your dog's asthma
As the signs and symptoms of canine asthma are similar to a number of other conditions, your vet will want to rule out other possible causes before diagnosing your dog with asthma. For example, lungworm, bacterial infections, and heart disease all have similar symptoms. Once they've ruled out these conditions, your vet may recommend a chest X-ray or other procedure to investigate further before making a diagnosis.
Treatment
Most asthmatic dogs respond well to treatment and go on to live a normal, healthy life. Your vet may recommend medication such as anti-inflammatory steroid tablets that can help to control the symptoms of dog asthma, and prevent any long-term damage to the lungs. Because permanent damage is a possibility, it’s important to get your dog checked out quickly if you have any reason to believe they're suffering from asthma.
What can you do at home to prevent asthma?
If you know your dog’s asthma is triggered by one of the irritants listed above, do everything you can to reduce exposure to that irritant. Stopping smoking (if you haven’t already), treating any mould or mildew in your home, or keeping your dog indoors when pollen levels are high can all help to alleviate the symptoms of asthma in your dog.
Read more: Allergies in dogs: does my dog have allergies?
Need more info?
For expert advice on canine asthma, contact your local vet.
Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page.
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Published on 21/06/2018 • Reviewed on 13/12/2023