If your pet is having difficulty breathing, this is considered a “RED” – or true emergency – on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you!
- Remove any neck collars or facial restrictions such as muzzles.
- If your pet is having difficulty breathing caused by heat, learn more here.
- Seek immediate veterinary care rather than attempting chest compressions or CPR at home. Have a veterinary professional guide you over the phone on how to help your pet during transportation.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that affects the air sacs (alveoli) and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. In pets, this condition can lead to severe symptoms, making it crucial for pet parents to recognize the signs and know when to seek veterinary care. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help ensure pets receive timely care and improve their chances of a full recovery.
Is it Contagious?
Pneumonia in pets can be contagious, such as a bacterial or viral infection spread between dogs in kennels, boarding facilities, doggie daycares, or dog shows.
However, bacterial pneumonia can also be caused by aspiration – which is not contagious. Aspiration happens when a dog vomits or regurgitates and accidentally inhales the material into the lungs, introducing bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract which causes an infection. This condition is more common in brachycephalic breeds (squish-faced breeds like bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Frenchies), as well as pets who have recently undergone an anesthetic procedure, such as a dental cleaning.
Symptoms
Any type of pneumonia in pets can cause:
- Cough
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Difficulty breathing*
If your pet develops these symptoms, contact your family veterinarian to determine if your pet needs to be seen. Some respiratory infections can resolve on their own, but if pneumonia is suspected, most dogs will require antibiotic treatment.
*If your pet is having trouble breathing – this is an emergency, and you should bring your pet to your local animal emergency hospital right away.
Diagnosis
Pneumonia in pets is diagnosed based on a physical exam by a veterinarian and with chest x-rays that show a build-up of fluid in the lungs. If necessary, more advanced testing such as a bronchoalveolar wash, blood test, or urine test is performed to help determine the exact cause of infection.
Treatment
Often, pneumonia will get worse before it gets better, and some pets will even require hospitalization. This is often recommended for pets who are having trouble breathing, develop a high fever, or are not eating. The average length of stay for a dog with pneumonia is about 48 hours in the hospital.
Treatment in-hospital often involves:
- Oxygen therapy
- Intravenous fluids
- Intravenous antibiotics
- Anti-vomiting medications
- Appetite stimulants
- Nebulization
Pets can go home once they are breathing normally without the need for supplemental oxygen and are eating well enough to continue their medications orally at home.
At-Home Treatment
Once back home, a pet’s treatment will continue with:
- Exercise restriction
- Oral medications
- Humidification (such as having your pet on the bathroom floor while you run a hot shower to help loosen mucus in your pet’s lungs)
Most pets will be on antibiotics for at least two weeks and will need rechecks with their family veterinarian to ensure the pneumonia has resolved before stopping medications/treatments.
Fungal Pneumonia
It’s important for pet parents to know about another type of pneumonia as well – fungal pneumonia – such as Blastomycosis. Pets and people can inhale this fungus from the outdoor environment, but the fungus doesn’t pass between individuals. Blastomycosis requires more aggressive treatment and is more life-threatening compared to bacterial pneumonias.
Certain types of pneumonia can be prevented with vaccines, such as those for kennel cough and influenza, as these infections can become pneumonia. However, the vaccines are not 100% effective. Talk to your family veterinarian about the best ways to protect your pet from pneumonia, or if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health.
More Reading:
- How to Know if Your Pet is Experiencing Respiratory Distress
- Coughing in Pets
- Understanding Blastomycosis in Pets
- Measuring Your Pet’s Resting Respiratory Rate at Home
- When a Life-Threatening Pet Emergency Comes to Our ER
