![]() Airway sampling through a tracheal wash or bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage may be offered. Depending on the changes that are seen on x-ray and your animal’s general health, your veterinarian may recommend light sedation or anesthesia to obtain samples from the airway for culture and analysis. The x-ray pattern helps determine the most likely cause of pneumonia and also assesses the severity of the disease. Your veterinarian may also elect to perform a blood chemical profile and urinalysis to make sure that the liver and kidneys are functioning properly prior to therapy.Ĭhest x-rays are always recommended when pneumonia is suspected. Parasites or a hypersensitivity response can cause an increase in eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) and fungal infection usually results in increases in both neutrophils and monocytes (another white blood cell). Increased neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) are exposed when bacteria are the cause of pneumonia. The total number of white cells is usually increased in a dog or cat with pneumonia. Adult, healthy dogs usually experience symptoms like a bad cough and runny nose for a few dogs, but kennel cough can be life-threatening in puppies and senior dogs.Ī complete blood count (CBC) is used to evaluate the body’s response to infection by assessing the numbers and types of white cells present. Kennel cough is very contagious and can easily spread when dogs are in a group setting when dogs are sharing the same airspace. It resembles a hacking cough and your dog may emit a “honking” sound. A kennel cough sounds like your dog has something stuck in their throat and is trying hard to swallow. Many pet owners are first alerted to a potential kennel cough because their dog produces different sounds than usual. Young animals in particular can become dehydrated easily because of a combination of fever and lack of water intake. These signs of illness and the presence of a moist cough for more than 2 or 3 days should prompt consultation with your veterinarian. Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia in dogs may include a moist or productive cough, rapid respiratory (breathing) rate, nasal discharge, loud breathing sounds, malaise/depression, loss of appetite, and/or weight loss. Specific diagnostic tests can be required in these instances. Young animals can also develop pneumonia because of an abnormal immune system or an inability to respond to an infection. This disease can be difficult to distinguish from pneumonia associated with canine distemper virus, which can attack the nervous system after causing respiratory signs. Severe symptoms in combination with poor appetite could indicate pneumonia, or inflammation and consolidation of the lung tissue, a complication of kennel cough. Kennel cough usually results in mild symptoms, mild or no pneumonia, and it resolves within 5 to 7 days. ![]() ![]() In young dogs, viral infection can predispose the lungs to bacterial invasion and true pneumonia results. The most frequent bugs are Parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica. The name kennel cough is all-encompassing because multiple bacteria or viruses can cause the cough. The “kennel” component of the name stems from the fact that most dogs are infected in a group setting sharing airspace and surfaces. Kennel cough is the name given to a syndrome caused by viruses and bacteria with the main symptom being a hacking cough. Kennel cough can be life-threatening in very young or very old dogs. Symptoms and severity can vary greatly and is correlated with a dog’s age. Kennel cough is a highly infectious respiratory condition which occurs in dogs mostly after they share airspace and contaminated surfaces with kennel cough infectious secretions. ![]() Everything You Need to Know About “Kennel Cough” Pneumonia ![]()
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