Archive
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.
Diaphragmatic Hernia in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
A diaphragmatic hernia is an internal hernia where abdominal organs (liver, stomach, intestine) pass through a tear in the diaphragm into the chest. It causes breathing difficulty and is corrected surgically after stabilization.
Chylothorax in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Chylothorax is lymph (chyle) leaking into the chest cavity, usually from a blocked or ruptured thoracic duct, causing breathing difficulty and weight loss. It is managed with surgery to tie off the duct plus drainage and a low-fat diet.
Pneumothorax in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Pneumothorax is air trapped in the chest cavity, collapsing the lung and causing sudden breathing difficulty. It may follow trauma or arise spontaneously, and is treated by removing the air and, for open or tension types, closing the chest wound or surgery.
Pyothorax (Empyema) in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Pyothorax is pus accumulating in the chest cavity from a bacterial infection of the pleura, causing fever, labored breathing, and a fluid-splash sound. It is treated by draining and flushing the chest and with prolonged antibiotics.
Hemothorax (Blood in the Chest) in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Hemothorax is blood collecting in the chest cavity from chest trauma, surgery, or a bleeding disorder, causing shock and labored breathing. It is an emergency treated by stabilizing the patient, draining the blood, and stopping the source.
Hydrothorax (Pleural Effusion) in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Hydrothorax is a non-inflammatory fluid buildup in the chest that compresses the lungs and causes breathing difficulty. It usually signals heart disease or another systemic problem, and is treated by draining the fluid and managing the cause.
Pleurisy (Pleuritis) in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura (the lung lining) causing abdominal breathing, a friction sound on auscultation, and a horizontal fluid line on percussion. It is treated with antibiotics, pain and inflammation control, and drainage of fluid when needed.
Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Pulmonary hemorrhage is bleeding into the lungs from damaged pulmonary vessels, causing cough with bright red, frothy blood. It follows heartworm, tumors, trauma, or infection, and is treated by stopping the bleed and correcting the underlying cause.
Pulmonary Edema in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Pulmonary edema is non-inflammatory fluid leaking from lung capillaries into the air spaces, causing severe breathing difficulty and frothy pink nasal discharge. It is an emergency treated by calming the pet, oxygen, diuretics, and addressing the underlying cause.