Vet-Verified Top 5 Causes of Dog Wheezing and Remedies
Is your dog wheezing, and you’re unsure why? You’ve come to the right place. Don’t overlook your dog's wheezing, as it may worsen over time.
This article will confidently discuss the top 5 causes of wheezing in dogs and offer practical solutions to help your furry friend breathe easier.
Why is my Dog Wheezing?
Wheezing is defined as a continuous, pitchy, whistling sound heard over the lung field, typically during expiration (breathing out). This sound indicates an obstruction or narrowing in the airways.
Dog wheezing is usually associated with trouble breathing.
For a sound to be considered "wheezing," it must be continuous and last more than 250 milliseconds. Wheezing can be either low- or high-pitched.
Your dog's wheezing may be caused by a number of causes.
So, what causes dogs to make this sound? It's a change in airflow through the respiratory system, often due to a narrowing somewhere in the respiratory circuit. This narrowing can be caused by strictures, foreign bodies, or even tumors.
Wheezing Requires Veterinary Care
Before we discuss the different causes of wheezing in dogs, it's important to emphasize that wheezing is a symptom and can indicate an underlying respiratory disease.
Depending on the disease, wheezing may be accompanied by other clinical signs such as coughing, gagging, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), and exercise intolerance.
If you think your dog is showing breathing difficulties, it’s important to consult your vet immediately for a full physical examination.
5 Causes of Dog Wheezing You Need to Know
In this part of our discussion, we will examine the most common causes of dog wheezing, including kennel cough, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, foreign bodies, and laryngeal paralysis. I will walk you through these usual culprits and highlight the possible underlying cause of this health issue.
1. Kennel Cough in Dogs.
Kennel cough is a common disease in dogs, particularly those that visit dog daycare, kennels, and dog parks. It can be caused by various infectious organisms, including the Parainfluenza virus, Adenovirus type 2, and the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica.
When dogs get this health issue, they may develop a harsh, honking cough and wheezing that sounds like something is stuck in their throat.
It is a form of bronchitis, but in healthy dogs who are properly vaccinated, the disease usually resolves on its own within 7 to 10 days. However, dogs with weakened immune systems, such as the young, the old, or the sick, are at a higher risk of developing pneumonia.
This health problem tends to inflame a dog's lungs and airways, which can lead to more serious consequences for vulnerable dogs.
Zumalka's Tonic #4 is designed to help dogs deal with kennel cough naturally.
If your dog is suspected of having kennel cough, there are a few things you can do to help clear their airway faster and boost their immune system.
Tonic #4 is a natural, homeopathic remedy designed to bolster the immune system and improve oxygen circulation throughout your dog's body.
This natural anti-inflammatory is perfect for enhancing your furry friend's immune system and aiding in a speedy recovery.
Zumalka's KC-Pet is formulated to keep your dog's airways healthy.
Is kennel cough a frequent concern for your dog? If so, you should definitely try Zumalka's KC-PET homeopathic spray! This all-natural, holistic product works wonders by boosting your pet's immune system and enhancing its breathing capacity.
Whether it's a dry, painful cough, tracheal irritation, or a harsh cough that worsens at night, this spray offers much-needed relief. With active ingredients that support your dog's upper respiratory tract health, it ensures your furry friend feels more comfortable and at ease.
Zumalka KC Pet is enriched with all-natural homeopathic ingredients like:
- Bryonia alba is an ancient plant commonly used in homeopathy to reduce inflammation and strengthen the respiratory system.
- Carbo vegetabilis, derived from charcoal, is believed to enhance circulation, increase energy, and relieve respiratory symptoms such as coughing.
- Pulsatilla, a flowering plant, helps support mental well-being and overall wellness.
- Rumex is another well-known plant used in homeopathy to relieve coughs and sore throats.
2. Canine Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is defined by persistent coughing episodes lasting for more than two months. In dogs, bronchitis can be triggered by various factors, including allergies, irritants such as tobacco smoke, and tracheal collapse.
The cause of chronic bronchitis often remains unidentified. This condition results from permanent and irreversible changes to the cells lining the airway. Dogs affected may exhibit symptoms beyond wheezing, such as gagging, respiratory distress, and persistent coughing.
How do I know if my dog has allergic bronchitis?
The main clinical sign of allergic bronchitis in dogs is a nonproductive cough that worsens with exercise or tracheal compression, such as pulling on the leash or during tracheal palpation. Dog wheezing is one of its key symptoms.
Dogs with this health issue typically do not have as much of a breathing problem as the other diseases mentioned. The primary clinical sign is a nonproductive cough. Wheezing is more common in cats than in dogs.
Did you know? Canine bronchitis is often confused with an asthma attack. Dogs don't actually get asthma attacks, but cats do! So, what's the difference? Asthma involves hyper-responsiveness of the airways, leading to reversible bronchoconstriction, whereas bronchitis simply involves inflammation of the airways.
Consider trying Zumalka's Bronchial Clear.
Bronchial Clear is an all-natural homeopathic tonic designed to support the respiratory health of your beloved dogs and cats. This easy-to-use and effective tonic will help your dog breathe easier and feel much better.
Bronchial Clear promotes healthy lung function and overall respiratory wellness, ensuring your pet can breathe more easily. Its carefully crafted ingredients work together to alleviate wheezing and respiratory issues, providing much-needed relief.
By addressing underlying inflammation in the respiratory tract, this natural product promotes long-term respiratory health and soothes the respiratory system, reducing irritation and coughing.
3. Heart Disease in Dogs
Surprisingly, your dog's wheezing may be due to cardiovascular issues.
A wheezing dog may have a heart problem.
Dogs experiencing congestive heart failure may exhibit breathing difficulties due to permanent changes in the heart muscle, which impair its ability to efficiently pump blood. As a result, blood may accumulate in the lungs, leading to respiratory issues.
Your dog's airways may be affected with heart disease.
Dogs with heart failure often present with a nocturnal cough that becomes more persistent when lying down due to fluid accumulation in the lower chest. They may also exhibit signs of labored breathing, requiring more abdominal effort to expel air (expiratory dyspnea). In severe cases, pronounced wheezing may develop.
4. Foreign Bodies
Did you know that your dog's wheezing may be due to a foreign object?
Wheezing in dogs can also result from tracheal foreign body obstructions, which occur when a dog inhales a foreign object that gets stuck in the windpipe. This can lead to wheezing, difficulty breathing, and gagging.
The most common things that can get stuck in your dog's nasal passages include seeds, bits of bone, dirt, and plastic.
To diagnose a tracheal foreign body, the vet will conduct tracheal and chest radiographs (x-rays) to locate the obstruction.
5. Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal paralysis is a common condition in dogs that can cause wheezing and harsh coughing. It occurs when the laryngeal muscles fail to move the arytenoid cartilages properly, which are located above the epiglottis.
These cartilages facilitate the passage of air during breathing. When their movement fails, it can lead to an obstructed upper respiratory tract and associated symptoms.
Laryngeal paralysis—which is entirely different from a collapsing trachea—can manifest in dogs of various ages. Congenital laryngeal paralysis is typically diagnosed in younger dogs, usually between 1-6 months of age.
Breathing problems in dogs may be genetic in nature.
Breeds predisposed to this condition include Dalmatians, Siberian Huskies, Husky-cross breeds, Bull Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, Great Pyrenees, Bouvier des Flandres, Black Russian Terriers, and German Shepherd Dogs.
A dog begins wheezing more frequently during its older years.
Acquired laryngeal paralysis is more frequently diagnosed in older dogs, with a reported median age of 9 years. Large and giant breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, Saint Bernard, Irish Setter, and Golden Retriever are predisposed.
To Conclude
It's crucial to consult your veterinarian if you notice your dog wheezing, as it could be a sign of a serious respiratory illness. If you suspect your pet is experiencing respiratory problems, seek immediate care from an emergency vet. If you have any questions about wheezing in dogs, feel free to ask in the comments!
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