How to Raise a Dog with Asthma

Canine asthma isn’t exactly like asthma in humans, so it’s helpful to understand the symptoms and the many ways to prevent or minimize your dog’s breathing issues. Although managing a dog with this condition requires some additional attention and support, you can relax: With proper treatment and environmental adjustments, your dog can lead a perfectly normal, happy life.

What is canine asthma? 

Dogs can get asthma, but it is not very common. It is also not like the asthma that people, horses, or cats get. Canine asthma (also called allergic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, allergic airway disease, obstructive lung disease, or allergic lung disease) occurs when parts of the lungs called bronchioles and bronchi become inflamed. Asthma can affect the lungs of any dog of any age, making it difficult for them to breathe, especially during an asthma attack. 

Canine asthma causes 

Dog asthma occurs when the lungs become inflamed due to a variety of allergens. Asthma is similar to anaphylaxis — but unlike anaphylaxis, asthma only affects the respiratory system. When a dog has asthma, small airway tubes inside the lungs (called bronchi and bronchioles) become hypersensitive to environmental irritants or allergens. When your asthmatic dog breathes in allergens, inflammation occurs and may result in a narrowing of the small airway tubes inside the lungs. This causes the signs of asthma in dogs. By knowing which potential irritants or allergens are causing problems for your asthmatic dog, you may be able to help your dog breathe better. 

Pollen

Pollen can come from trees, grasses, or weeds — and can be in the environment during the spring, summer, or fall seasons. But if winters are mild where you live, they may be year-round allergens for your dog. Pollen can be on the ground or floating through the air, where it is easily inhaled.

Cat dander

If your dog is hypersensitive to cat dander and is exposed to cats, they may experience symptoms of asthma as they breathe it in.

Household cleaners

Some household cleaners are heavily scented or have ingredients that can irritate your dog’s airway. Smelling these cleaners can cause issues for a dog with asthma.

Mold and dust mites

These particles may be invisible, but that doesn’t mean they can’t affect your dog. Mold spores and dust mites are in many homes and can cause breathing issues.

Cat litter dust

Most cat litter is made from clay and can be very dusty, especially when you are pouring it into the litter pan or scooping clumps. This dust can irritate an asthmatic dog.

Smoke

Cigarettes, cigars, candles, fireplaces, and firepits can produce smoke — as can food you’ve burned in the kitchen. Regardless of what produces the smoke, dogs with hypersensitive airways can react negatively to it.

Aerosols, perfumes, and air fresheners

Cleaning detergents, air fresheners, hairspray, or other aerosol items can be irritating to a dog with asthma. Additionally, perfumes, scented diffusers, and other smelly products (that aren’t aerosol) may cause problems for dogs with asthma.

Dog asthma symptoms

Knowing which respiratory symptoms to watch for can help you get your asthmatic dog the help they need, when they need it most.

Difficulty breathing

This symptom can be sudden: Dogs with asthma are likely to experience difficulty breathing during an asthma attack. Your dog may wheeze, gasp for air, hyperventilate, or even display open-mouth breathing while trying to breathe due to their inflamed airway.

Excessive panting

Panting can be a symptom of overheating, stress, or asthma. If you witness your dog breathing heavily or excessively panting, they may be having trouble breathing.

Coughing

Regular coughing might indicate your dog has a respiratory infection, heartworms, lungworms, or heart disease. But it may also mean they are asthmatic, with an inflamed, irritated airway that’s causing them to cough.

Decreased energy level

Any time your dog doesn’t feel well, their energy level might decrease. With asthma, if your dog is having trouble breathing (and therefore not oxygenating well), they may have less energy than usual. They may not want to play and instead sleep more, or get tired more easily during walks.

Decreased appetite

Similarly to a decreased energy level, a dog with asthma, who’s having trouble breathing, probably won’t want to eat.

Blue gums

Red blood cells carry oxygen through the bloodstream and keep your dog’s gums pink. If oxygen isn’t being circulated because your dog isn’t breathing and oxygenating well, their gums may turn pale or bluish.

Dog asthma treatment options

Witnessing your dog having trouble breathing can be scary, but there are treatment options for quick relief. Additionally, you may be able to prevent the need for acute treatment options by reducing your dog’s exposure to allergens or giving them daily medicine.

Dog asthma medicine

If your dog has regular, severe asthma attacks, your veterinarian may recommend that they take an anti-inflammatory steroid each day. This medicine will prevent your dog’s hypersensitive airways from becoming too inflamed, which causes their breathing issues. 

If you are concerned about the long-term cost of adopting a dog with asthma, you’ll be relieved to know that these steroids can be very inexpensive. Oral prednisone is commonly used to treat asthma in dogs and can cost only $5 to $10 a month, but some unwanted side effects are possible. To avoid them, your dog may be a candidate for a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) containing a steroid called fluticasone. However, this drug may not be a good option since the inhalers can cost $200 to $300, and not all dogs will tolerate daily inhaler therapy. 

In addition to getting your dog’s daily asthma medicine, you should keep an emergency inhaler on hand to treat asthma attacks. These inhalers (which are different from the previously mentioned MDI), typically contain a bronchodilator drug called albuterol and cost around $50. If your dog needs even more treatment, your veterinarian may need to administer emergency injections of a steroid called dexamethasone or a bronchodilator called terbutaline.

Reducing environmental triggers

Drugs are one way to treat asthma, but whenever possible, you should also try to decrease or remove any environmental triggers (if possible) causing your dog’s breathing issues.

Dog asthma remedies and care tips

Medicines can treat asthma. Additionally, some at-home remedies and care tips can help you reduce the likelihood of your dog having an asthma attack, especially if you know what triggers your dog’s asthma.

Pollen removal and avoidance

Regular baths and wiping your dog’s feet after being outside may help remove pollen that can trigger asthma. If your dog seems to be more reactive to pollen during specific times of the year, you may also want to limit their time outdoors during these seasons.

Room air purifiers and humidifiers

Both a humidifier and an air purifier are good options for dogs with asthma. Air purifiers will help remove pollen, mold, and other allergens from the air, so regular use of these units is recommended. Meanwhile, humidifiers can help prevent dry air from irritating your dog’s airway and alleviate inflammation — so if your home has dry air, consider a humidifier.

Avoiding other triggers

If you have a kitty, switching to dust-free cat litter can help your dog breathe better. Also, try to make sure your dog avoids dusty environments, avoid using scented and aerosolized products, and keep your dog away from sources of smoke. These can all help decrease their exposure to asthma triggers.

Commonly asked questions

Which dog breeds are most prone to asthma?

Any dog breed can have asthma, but small, toy, and flat-faced dog breeds are more likely to be affected by asthma than others. Genetics and anatomy may be factors, but since asthma is not very common in dogs, there is minimal research available.

What does asthma in dogs sound like? 

Difficulty breathing is the main visible symptom of asthma, but this can also be heard. Wheezing, coughing, panting or open-mouth breathing, and hyperventilation may all be indications of an asthma attack.

References

Allergic Bronchitis in Dogs and Cats

Asthma: The Use of Animal Models and Their Translational Utility

Can Dogs Have Asthma?

Does My Dog Have Asthma?

Help! I Think My Dog Is Having an Asthma Attack! What Should I Do?

Inhalation Treatment of Airway Disease in Animals

Prescribing Inhaled Therapy