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Summary: "Can dogs get asthma?" Yes, pet parent, they can! If you’re concerned about your pup and their breathing, in this blog we learn all about asthma in dogs. We’ll find out what the dog asthma symptoms are, whether they need dog asthma medicine or a dog asthma inhaler, and what a dog asthma attack entails…

 

Dog Asthma: What Is It?

Asthma in dogs is the same as asthma in humans; it’s the inflammation of the small airways (bronchioles) in the lungs. It is usually brought on by an allergy to triggers like pollen, cat litter, cigarette/vape smoke, mould, dust, pollution and/or pesticides and fertilisers.

Asthma is more common in cats than it is dogs, but asthma is seen in dogs but typically smaller breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs and Maltese. It’s also more commonly seen in dogs that are middle-aged. 

You can’t cure asthma in dogs, cats or humans, but you can manage it with the right care and proper treatment.

What Are The Dog Asthma Symptoms?

The dog asthma symptoms can include:

• Difficulty breathing (wheezing, coughing)
• Keeping their mouth wide open
• Mucus build-up
• Noticeably excessive panting
• General weakness and lethargy

How To Help A Dog With An Asthma Attack

If your dog is having an asthma attack, they will obviously be panicked and may become frantic. If the attack is quite severe, their lips and gums may become a little blue and this means oxygen can’t get around the body. If this happens, they need emergency medical attention so call your vet. If they are having a severe attack, they may need to be hospitalised and administered oxygen.

During an attack, keep calm yourself so as not to alarm your dog and administer the prescribed medication as advised. Make sure the room they’re in is well ventilated (open windows and doors), a cool temperature and quiet. If you have to take your dog to the vet, keep the car well ventilated with the windows down too.

If you’re in any doubt about your dog’s welfare during an asthma attack, call your vet. 

Dog Asthma Medicine

If you notice any of the dog asthma symptoms, it’s important you get them looked over by a vet straight away. It’s unlikely your dog will have an asthma attack in the veterinarian’s appointment, so take a video of them having one so you can show your vet to help with diagnosis. 

Your vet will most likely want to do some further investigations before officially diagnosing them and this may include blood tests, chest X-rays, and take a urine sample. This will help them rule out other conditions like kennel cough or heartworm. 

If a diagnosis of dog asthma is confirmed, your pooch may be prescribed bronchodilator medications which can help widen their airways when required, dog-specific antihistamines if an allergy is suspected and potentially steroids to help reduce inflammation in the air passages. 

Dependent on your dog, a dog asthma inhaler (nebulizer) may be recommended by your vet. This is a contraption that’s placed over your dog nose and mouth and converts liquid medicine to the mist that can be inhaled quickly by the lungs. Your dog may be reluctant, and this may be scary for you too! But remember, ask questions if you don’t understand and only leave when you’re confident you know you can use the dog asthma inhaler correctly and your dog seems OK about it.

Living With Asthma And Dogs

There are no home remedies that can help stop dog asthma, but you can live comfortably with an asthmatic dog as there are a few things you can do to help them out:

• Keep them at a good weight - the more overweight a dog is, the harder it is for them to breathe
• Don’t smoke inside or spray things like perfumes, scented air fresheners, deodorants and cleaning sprays near them
• Invest in fake flowers and plants rather than keeping fresh ones in the house
• Use a dust-free, unscented cat litter, if you have a cat as the dust and faux fragrance can sometimes trigger an asthma attack
• Bathe your dog once to twice a week, with an unscented, sensitive dog-specific shampoo to be sure pollen or other similar triggers aren’t locked into their fur. Wipe your dog with pet wipes after walks in between bathing days. 
• Hoover and wash your linens regularly to be sure you’re removing triggers, like pollen, from your carpets, rugs, bedding, cushion covers etc.
• Avoid using a fireplace or wood-burning stove around your dog. Smoke can be a major trigger of asthma. Keep them away from the BBQ grill too. 
• Invest in an air purifier for the rooms they spend the most time in. 
• Insure your dog as soon as you get them, so in case long-term conditions like this arise in their lifetime, the financial strain of asthma doesn’t need to be a worry. 

Do Dogs Cause Asthma Attacks?

Dogs can’t directly cause asthma, but an asthma attack can indicate an allergy to a dog. 

Lots of animals can trigger asthma in humans if they’re allergic to them, including dogs. An attack might come on within minutes of being present with the dog or hours later. Unfortunately, simply moving the pet to another room may not do the trick as the allergens (like their saliva or dead skin cells) can stay in the carpet and furniture.

If you and your household are not allergic to dogs, but you or someone you live with has asthma it’s usually OK to have a dog. It’s the allergy that will trigger an asthma attack. If you suspect your asthma is being worsened by your pet, consult with your doctor who can review your asthma medication and offer appropriate guidance.

Sources

Author Hauser, Wendy "Does My Dog Have Asthma?" ASPCA Pet Health  Insurance https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/dog-asthma/

"Animals, Pets And Asthma" Asthma UK, Mar. 2020 https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/animals-and-pets/#:~:text=Touching%20or%20inhaling%20these%20allergens,mice%20and%20gerbils,%20and%20birds.