When we think of suffering from Asthma, we usually associate it with people, and almost never with our furry friends, but they can suffer from this respiratory condition. Although it is less common, it is important to know how to identify and treat it.
In this #PetTuesday we help you identify the signs of asthma and how to treat it:
How to know if your furry friend suffers from asthma?
Symptoms can be confused with other respiratory conditions or health problems. Some signs that could indicate that your pet is experiencing respiratory problems include:
- Persistent cough: If you notice your pet coughing frequently, especially after running or playing, or during certain times of the year, it could be a sign of asthma.
- Difficulty breathing: Notice if your pet has difficulty breathing or makes wheezing sounds when breathing.
- Fatigue: The extra effort involved in breathing with asthma can make your pet tire more easily than usual.
- Unusual behavior: Observe if your pet shows changes in behavior, such as restlessness, lack of appetite, or excessive tiredness.
If you observe any of these symptoms or others similar to those of people with asthma, it is important for a veterinarian to examine them and provide an accurate diagnosis with the appropriate treatment.
What is the diagnosis?
- Physical exam: the veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam of your furry friend and evaluate the symptoms
- Diagnostic tests: chest x-rays, blood tests, lung function tests, among others. All of this in order to assess the severity of the disease and rule out other conditions
What is the usual treatment for furry friends with asthma?
- Bronchodilator medications: will help open the airways and reduce inflammation, corticosteroids to control the inflammatory response.
- Inhaled therapy: specialized therapies for furry friends with medications or natural oils that help open the airways.
- Avoid places that trigger symptoms in your furry friend, such as tobacco smoke, dust, pollen, cleaning chemicals, excessive agitation, as well as allergens.
- Healthy weight: maintain a balanced diet as their weight greatly influences whether their asthma improves or worsens, especially in small dogs.
What food can you give your furry friend with asthma?
Hypoallergenic formulas will help in their treatment against this condition. Some furry friends may have food sensitivities that would worsen their symptoms, so consider foods that eliminate possible allergens such as chicken, wheat, or corn.
On our website, find the perfect and specialized product for your furry friend.
Hydration is another very important factor to keep the airways lubricated and help prevent mucus buildup. It is ideal to keep an electronic water dispenser where it is in constant movement and cleaning, making the desire to hydrate more pleasant for your furry friend.
Remember that every furry friend is different, so take them for regular check-ups so the veterinarian can develop specialized treatments and a feeding plan that adapts to your furry friend's specific needs.