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Common Canine Respiratory Disorders

There are all kinds of respiratory disorders which could affect your dog and here you will find some of the most common and how you should handle them.

The Various Respiratory Problems Which Could Occur

Some common respiratory problems which could occur in your dog include:
- Nasal Discharge/Sneezing
- Abnormal Breathing
- Gagging/Coughing

All the above can be worrying problems but they are not always as nasty as they sound.

Nasal Discharge/Sneezing

Usually nasal discharge and sneezing refers to an allergic reaction to something. It could be from a certain food, it could be a pollen allergy or it could be an allergy to basically anything. However sometimes a dog sneezes for no apparent reason just like we do but that will only be on occasion, it will not be all of the time. The worst case scenario would be if your dog has blood in the discharge as this could point to a tumor or foreign object.

The best thing to do with this problem is to seek veterinary advice immediately. If it is an allergy then the vet will be able to give the dog antihistamines as well as other medication. The cause could also be an infection so medication would also be given then too. If the problem however is a tumor then it will need to be surgically removed as soon as possible.

Abnormal Breathing

This is by far one of the most worrying types of respiratory problems and it will need immediate attention. Usually abnormal breathing is a sign of a serious problem and it could be that the dog has a heart, lung or kidney problem. Some symptoms which go along with abnormal breathing include lack of energy and loss of appetite.

The vet should be contacted straight away if you notice that your dog does have any breathing abnormalities. It could be due to internal damage and that can have a serious affect upon your dog's health. Surgery may be needed to eliminate the problem.

Gagging/Coughing

If you notice your dog gagging or coughing then it could be down to a number of reasons. It could be that your dog is suffering from a collapsed windpipe, chronic bronchitis, worms or a weak heart. Usually the more exercise that the dog does, the more the cough will show. This can be a serious problem and you should take the dog to the vets as soon as you can.

Surgery may be needed and an artificial windpipe may have to be inserted. Medications may also be given and the vet may suggest that you give your dog more exercise to relieve the problem.

Overall some respiratory problems are more serious than others and by knowing what to look out for you can easily spot potential dangers before they become too serious.

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