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19 results for “dog airway obstruction”
The Effects of Atropine on Cats and Dogs
Atropine is commonly used to block the effect of certain nervous-system impulses (acetylcholine) on receptors throughout the body. In animals such as dogs and cats, it is most often used in surgical anesthesia to prevent the adverse effects of nervous stimulation.
What happens if a bone gets stuck in a dog’s throat?
A bone in the throat can block the airway, causing breathing difficulty, wheezing, coughing, mouth breathing, an extended neck, and a blue tongue (oxygen deprivation), even choking death. Smaller bones may lacerate soft tissue, causing pain. It may also prevent eating or drinking. If breathing is troubled, use the Heimlich maneuver at once and rush to emergency care.
My dog was excited before eating, then lethargic after, lies still, eats only a little meat, passed soft stool with faint blood, then whines, sits restlessly, and keeps pawing at its face
Based on the signs, the dog likely has an esophageal or gastrointestinal blockage from eating too fast or hard food like bones, causing throat pain and restlessness (hence pawing the face). If choking, use the Heimlich maneuver; it may also be allergy or acute gastritis, or parasites/parvovirus. See a vet for a full check.
Why Is My Dog’s Tongue Turning Purple?
A healthy dog's tongue is light pink; a sudden purple (cyanotic) tongue means low blood oxygen from heart disease, lung disease, tracheal collapse, an airway obstruction, or toxins — and is an emergency. Watch for rapid breathing, low stamina, coughing, or lethargy. Also note pale (anemia) or bright red (heat/stress) tongues. Brachycephalic and toy breeds are highest risk; see a vet at once if the tongue goes purple.
Why Does My Dog Keep Hiccuping?
Occasional hiccups are normal in dogs, but frequent or long-lasting hiccups can mean eating too fast, gas-forming foods, acid reflux, a respiratory infection, or a gut problem. Use a slow-feed bowl and small frequent meals, avoid strenuous play right after eating, and see a vet if hiccups come with appetite loss, lethargy, pain, vomiting, or a dry cough.
Why Is Your Dog Gasping or Breathing Rapidly?
Occasional rapid breathing or gasping is normal after exercise or in heat and settles quickly. But it can also signal disease: respiratory infection, a blocked esophagus, tracheal stenosis, or heart problems. If it is frequent or lasts long, see a veterinarian. Prevent issues by keeping air fresh, grooming and deworming regularly, avoiding smoke and strong odors, and scheduling routine checkups.
Diseases Behind a Dog’s Rapid Panting
Panting is shallow, upper-airway breathing that cools a dog fast, normally brief after exercise. But constant rapid panting can signal respiratory disease, collapsed trachea, airway obstruction, hypoxia, bronchitis or pneumonia, heartworm or heart failure, or obesity. Match the cause to the treatment.
Is Inhalation Anesthesia Safe for Dogs?
Dogs are usually anesthetized by inhalation or injection, and inhalation anesthesia is generally the safer choice because it places less burden on the organs. It costs more, though, and its effect is shorter, so it is less suited to very long surgeries where the dog might wake and struggle. Any anesthesia carries risk because it depresses heart, lung, liver, and kidney function, so the method should match the dog's pre-operative readings and health. Dogs with metabolic or liver and kidney issues are often better with inhalation. Watch for post-anesthetic reactions like acute kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, temperature swings, and airway blockage in flat-faced breeds.
Cor Pulmonale in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Cor pulmonale (pulmonary heart disease) is right-sided heart failure driven by high pressure in the pulmonary arteries, usually from chronic lung disease, heartworm, or chest-wall disorders. Signs include cough, labored breathing, and fluid buildup, and treatment must target the underlying cause.
Aspiration (Inhalation) Pneumonia in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when material is inhaled into the lungs, causing airway and lung inflammation that can progress to lung gangrene. It is an emergency treated by clearing the airway, oxygen, and antibiotics.