How to Care for a Puppy With Pneumonia

Puppies can suffer from pneumonia, too.

Pneumonia occurs when the lungs and bronchial tubes become inflamed. This can happen to dogs as well as humans, and puppies are most susceptible to coming down with a bout of pneumonia, which can be mild to severe and should be treated right away. If your veterinarian allows you to keep your puppy at home, you will need to know how to care for her.

Things You'll Need

• Vet
• Antibiotics
• Puppy food
• Water
• Vaporizer
• Nebulizer

Instructions

1. Watch your puppy for symptoms of pneumonia, which can include coughing, wheezing and having difficulty breathing. Your puppy may also get a fever and suffer a loss of appetite.

2. Take your puppy to the vet if she shows any symptoms of pneumonia. Your vet will perform an X-ray to determine whether she is suffering from pneumonia, and if she is, will prescribe antibiotics.

3. Administer the antibiotics as instructed, making sure to use them until they are completely gone. Discontinuing them because you think she is beginning to look well can result in your puppy getting sick again.

4. Make sure your puppy is eating and drinking, and if she refuses either you should take her back to the vet. The vet may determine that she needs intravenous fluids to maintain her strength.

5. Set up a vaporizer near the puppy to help her get rid of any mucus in her lungs. If she has a more severe case of pneumonia, the vet may give you a nebulizer instead, as well as medication to put in the nebulizer that will help open up the puppy's lungs and airways.

6. Set up a follow-up appointment with the vet to confirm that your puppy is getting better.

Tips & Warnings

• Never give a puppy with pneumonia a cough suppressant.

References

• The Dog Health Guide: Dog Pneumonia