![\"A](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1-2.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
If your pet is having difficulty breathing, this is considered a \u201cRED\u201d \u2013 or true emergency \u2013 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! <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Pneumonia is a lung infection that affects the air sacs (alveoli)<\/strong> and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, bacterial pneumonia can also be caused by <\/span>aspiration<\/span><\/b> \u2013 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 <\/span>brachycephalic breeds (squish-faced breeds like bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Frenchies), as well as pets who have recently undergone an anesthetic procedure, <\/span><\/b>such as a dental cleaning.<\/span><\/p>\n Any type of pneumonia in pets can cause:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n *If your pet is having trouble breathing \u2013 this is an emergency, and you should bring your pet to your local animal emergency hospital right away.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pneumonia in pets is <\/span><\/span>diagnosed based on a physical exam by a veterinarian and with chest x-rays that show a build-up of fluid in the lungs. <\/span><\/span><\/strong>If necessary, more advanced testing such as a bronchoalveolar wash, blood test, or urine test is performed to help <\/span>determine<\/span> the exact cause of infection.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Often, pneumonia will get worse before it gets better<\/span>, and some pets will even require hospitalization. This is often <\/span><\/span>recommended for pets who are having trouble breathing, develop a high fever, or are not eating. <\/span><\/span>The average length of stay for a dog with pneumonia is about 48 hours in the hospital.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Treatment in-hospital often involves:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once back home, a pet\u2019s treatment will continue with:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most <\/span>pets <\/span>will be on antibiotics for at least two weeks and will need rechecks with their<\/span> family veterinarian to <\/span>ensure the pneumonia <\/span>has<\/span> resolved before stopping<\/span> medications\/treatments.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s<\/span> important for pet parents to know <\/span>about <\/span>another type of pneumonia <\/span>as well –<\/span> <\/span>fungal pneumonia<\/strong><\/span> –<\/span><\/span> such as <\/span><\/span>Blastomycosis<\/span><\/span><\/a>. Pets and people can inhale this fungus from the outdoor environmen<\/span>t, but the fungus <\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span> pass between individuals. Blastomycosis <\/span>requires<\/span> more aggressive treatment and is more <\/span>life-threatening compared to bacterial pneumonias.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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\u2019s health.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More Reading:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
\n![\"A](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2-2.png\")
<\/p>\nIs it Contagious?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-1.png\")
<\/h2>\nSymptoms<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Diagnosis<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/7-1.png\")
<\/p>\nTreatment<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span>At-Home Treatment<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
![\"A](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/5-2.png\")
<\/p>\nFungal Pneumonia<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/6.png\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"cats,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Copy-of-Copy-of-About-the-Author-10.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Animal](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Fast-Track-Triage-for-Clients-Facebook-Post-7.png\")
<\/p>\n