How To Care For A Dog With Pneumonia
One of the great fears of guardians is that their pets will get sick. Not knowing how to care for a dog with pneumonia, for example, is a very consistent fear.
One of the first reactions that usually occur on the part of the tutor is to look for information on the internet, but not all of the information offered is valid. It is necessary that this information has been verified and obtained from official sources, as we do here.
Some facts about pneumonia
Pneumonia is a disease that affects the lungs due to the presence of different microorganisms. Depending on the germ present, the affected area or the cause, it will be named in a way and will have a specific treatment.
The main microorganisms responsible for this disease are bacteria. However, it can also be caused by pathogens such as fungi, parasites or even some foreign substance that acts as an allergen.
Causes of pneumonia
When it comes to identifying the microorganism that causes this disease, there are some patterns that allow differentiating between the different types of pneumonia:
- Bacterial.
- By aspiration.
- Chemistry.
Of all of them, the most common pneumonia is bacterial, which can be caused by different types of bacteria. The most common species are usually Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or the genus Mycoplasma .
In some cases, pneumonia is a side effect of other illnesses, usually caused by viruses. It can also be the result of other causes, but the main ones are those mentioned here.
Symptoms
Before the disease can be identified, it is necessary to observe the symptoms that the dog manifests. In this way, they can be reported to the veterinarian, who will consider whether they are important or not, some of them being:
- Frequent, wet cough.
- Fever.
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness.
- Production of mucous secretions.
- Emission of sounds when breathing.
Tips for caring for a dog with pneumonia
Being a disease that can be complicated, you must follow some specific advice when caring for a dog with pneumonia. Next, we mention some of the possible guidelines that can be carried out.
Control the environment
Treatment of pneumonia requires a warm environment in which the dog can rest and recover. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that there are no drafts, as well as not to expose the animal to sudden changes in temperature.
In addition, another important detail is to use a humidifier, as long as you have one. The function of this machine is to moisten the environment, thus keeping the animal’s respiratory tract moist.
Watch your diet
In any disease process, diet has a fundamental factor in recovery. One of the symptoms is lack of appetite, so attractive foods will have to be shown.
Avoid contact with other pets
Bacterial pneumonia is a highly contagious disease that can be easily transmitted. For this reason, it is advisable to take extremes and, if possible, eliminate contact with other dogs or animals.
In this way, the risk of spread and of other animals becoming ill will be reduced. Likewise, everything that has been in contact with the sick pet must be kept clean, to avoid its transmission.
Important to keep clean
Being a contagious disease, it is highly recommended to maintain household hygiene. It is advisable to wash all toys, feeders or drinkers that have been in the presence or have been used by the sick dog.
Veterinarian-controlled exercise
On occasion, your vet may recommend brief, light exercise sessions to help expel secretions. However, you must follow the exact instructions and do not force the dog to any other exercise.
Follow the vet’s recommendations
Once the disease is identified, the veterinarian will give a list of recommendations that should be followed. Some of them have been mentioned previously, others are related to the specific treatment.
Thus, the dog will feel as comfortable as possible and can improve as soon as possible. However, depending on the severity of the pneumonia, sometimes it may have to stay in the hospital for a while.
This is not normally the case, as admission will only occur if the dog shows problems breathing on its own. Other possible causes of admission is that the dog suffers from dehydration or is not able to eat, which makes it necessary to administer fluids and serum.
Attention and caution
As already noted, pneumonia can be caused by different microorganisms or as an effect of another disease. It can be aggravated, so a dog with pneumonia must be carefully cared for.
These data can only be verified by a veterinary professional, who has the knowledge to differentiate their types and severity. If there is doubt about the disease, the professional will be able to identify it and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
