Some of you might have unexpectedly overlooked changes in your dog’s or cat’s physical condition without realizing it.
Today, we would like to introduce hidden or underlying respiratory signs or symptoms that your pets are constantly hinting you.
Similar to human beings, animals breathe through their noses, sending air from the airways to the bronchi and lungs where they exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, and exhaling the rest of the air out of the nose.
Symptoms concerning respiration might occur when there are any abnormalities found in the airway. Apart from that, other causes might also result in respiratory symptoms; showing the need for attention.
[Cough]
This symptom can be observed during exhaling.
Cough is a symptom associated with bronchitis, tracheal collapse, asthma, and pneumonia.
In some cases, the cough might also be associated with heart diseases. A cough might lead to very serious situations if not attended to as soon as possible. So if your pets are experiencing symptoms, please talk to us as soon as possible.
[Sneezing & Reverse Sneezing]
Sneezing is a gesture of inhaling air convulsively once or twice and then pushing air strongly from the mouth and nose. It is a symptom associated with rhinitis, the presence of foreign bodies in the nasal cavity, and oral diseases. Excessive sneezing might also be caused by clogging in the nose, or an unexpected intranasal or oral tumour. If your pets are experiencing this, please contact us at once.
Paroxysmal respiration, or more commonly known as reverse sneezing, is another symptom that closely resembles sneezing. With this condition, the air is inhaled violently and continuously through the nose, resulting in coughing-like hiccups. In some cases, it might last as long as a few tens of seconds, and it might look painful. However, once it is subsided, it is thought as if nothing has happened. The exact cause of a reverse sneeze is unknown but allergies are often found as a factor. If symptoms like these persist in your pets, please do not hesitate to consult with our veterinarians.
[Tachypnea, dyspnea & panting]
Rapid breathing (tachypnea), laboured breathing in dogs (dyspnea), shallow and fast breathing (abnormal panting), and open-mouth breathing in cats are types of breathing abnormalities that affect dogs and cats. Causes of these symptoms include narrowing of nose and airways, chronic bronchiectasis or pneumonia, pulmonary oedema (fluid accumulated in the lungs), pulmonary effusion (fluid accumulated around the lungs and heart), which might result in severe illnesses. Besides, high heat and pain might also cause breathing difficulties, so a close distinction is necessary. Due to physiological factors, it might be common for large-sized and obese dogs to pant in shallow and fast breaths. Since it might be harder to distinguish the differences with symptoms of breathing difficulties, extra effort is needed to observe their breathing.
When your pet is relaxing at home but exceeds a breathing rate of 40 breaths per minute (inhaling and exhaling counts as 1 breath), there might be a breathing abnormality, especially when there are also additional symptoms such as loss of appetite or vomiting. Please contact us immediately if they are experiencing these symptoms.
Below shows a radiographic image and a sonogram of a cat that reported rapid breathing.
The radiographic image shows that the line of the heart is unclear and pulmonary effusion is present.
The sonogram shows that fluid is accumulated around the heart and lungs.
The black area shows the accumulation.
Please do not hesitate to talk to us if you are suspecting respiratory illness and would not want to miss any signs of abnormalities. There are many other respiratory symptoms besides those listed here; so please consult our veterinarians if you have any questions.
Animal Hospital in Shibuya, Ebisu and Daikanyama
HALU Animal Hospital
03-6712-7299
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