Asthma With Dog Allergies
Dogs can experience asthma---a respiratory disorder---associated with allergies. An asthma attack may occur from a severe allergic reaction like a bee sting or from prolonged exposure to an allergen. A dog that's experiencing an asthma attack may have difficulty breathing and experience temporary respiratory distress. Asthma usually isn't fatal, but a severe attack may warrant emergency veterinary care, especially if it causes the dog to lose consciousness.
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About Asthma
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Asthma occurs when a dog's airways to the lungs become blocked with mucus, causing them to contract and impairing breathing. Sensitivity to certain inhaled or digested irritants, such as mold spores, grass pollens and tobacco smoke can trigger an asthma attack in some dogs. For this reason, the condition is sometimes called allergic bronchitis.
Symptoms of Asthma
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When a dog has an asthma attack from exposure to allergens, it can cause him to cough. It may seem as though he's unable to catch his breath and a slight wheezing sound may be heard.
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Frequency
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Although allergies are common in dogs, asthma is rare. For dogs susceptible to asthma attacks, treatment is available to decrease their frequency.
Diagnosis
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Diagnosing canine asthma can be challenging. Veterinarians usually conduct a complete exam; including X-raying the dog's chest to evaluate its lung capacity and biopsying the bronchial tubes to eliminate the possibility of other respiratory conditions. Once other respiratory disorders can be ruled out, then the dog is usually prescribed asthma medications. If symptoms improve after giving the dog asthma medication, then the diagnosis is confirmed as asthma.
Treatment
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The Dog Health Guide says that treatment for asthma usually consists of one or more of the following: antihistamines, steroids and bronchodilators. Antihistamines dry the nasal and airways to reduce mucus buildup. Steroids decrease lung swelling. Bronchodilators reduce inflammation in the airways to prevent spasms. Dogs take the medication orally or inhale it with the aid of a face mask placed over the dog's nose and mouth. The mask acts like an inhaler similar to one used by humans to clear breathing passages. In severe cases of asthma, a dog may need an injection of epinephrine. The drug immediately works to reverse inflammation and relieve the airways of mucus blockage.
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References
- Photo Credit Dogs face image by adrian stones from Fotolia.com
