Dog Diseases – Pneumonia
Pneumonia means “lung inflammation of some sort.” Pneumonia is separate from “bronchitis” which means “inflamed airways of the lung” but these two conditions commonly is called “bronchopneumonia.”
Causes
- Fungal Pneumonia - is caused by a fungus Coccidiodomyces immitis
- Viral Pneumonia - is Canine Distemper Virus Infection or a complicated Feline Upper Respiratory Infection
- Parasitic Pneumonia – is caused by lungworms
- Bacterial Pneumonia – is often secondary to Kennel Cough particularly in young puppies
- Allergic Pneumonia - caused as the result of extreme infiltration of the lung by inflammatory cells in the absence of infection
Symptoms
- Cough
- Fever
- Appetite loss
- Difficulty breathing
Care
- Do not allow prolonged exposure to extreme cold or wet weather. Keep your pet primarily indoors.
- Consider use of a vaporizer for 15-20 minute intervals a couple of times daily. If you do not have a vaporizer, leave the pet in the bathroom with the shower on to create a misty vapor.
- Perform coupage at least 4 times daily and allow light exercise to promote the cough.
- Do not try to suppress the cough with over-the-counter cough suppressants. We want the infected material in the chest to be coughed up.
- Use the antibiotics as directed. Expect several weeks to be required.
- Know what you should return for re-check radiographs.
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