Animal breathing problems
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Have you noticed your cat breathing from their belly instead of their chest? While it might seem harmless at first glance, this type of breathing could be a sign of underlying health issues that need attention. From respiratory conditions to heart problems, abdominal breathing can indicate that your feline...
If your cat has a hairball, they will often cough and retch as a way to expel it from their upper respiratory tract. The hairball is caused by the ingestion of hair through self-grooming. In most cases, the cat can expel the hairball on their own, but certain factors can lead to it becoming stuck. This...
Pulmonary edema in cats consists of the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstices and alveoli of the lungs, making it difficult for oxygen to circulate through them. This can obstruct normal breathing and endanger the life of the cat. There are various causes which can present either acutely...
Heavy breathing is an increase in respiratory rate above normal and is known medically as tachypnea. It may or not be accompanied by dyspnea, the medical term for respiratory distress. Panting is a form of heavy breathing, but it is not always a sign of a problem. Panting is a normal reaction to various...
Tracheal collapse is the flattening of the trachea, generally dorso-ventral. This can affect either the cervical trachea, located in the neck, or the part of the trachea inside the feline's thoracic cavity (the thoracic trachea). This flattening causes the trachea to narrow during breathing and, therefore,...
If you've ever noticed your dog coughing persistently, as if something is lodged in their throat, it's only natural to be concerned. Coughing in dogs can be a distressing symptom, and as a pet owner, you want to ensure the well-being of your furry companion. By understanding the potential reasons for...
The dog's respiratory system is very similar to that of humans. As with the human respiratory tract, air enters through the mouth and nose, ending up in the lungs via the trachea. Each part of the dog's respiratory system has its own specific function, the proper working of which is required for the...
Respiratory tract diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cats and one of the main reasons for visits to the veterinary hospital. Although upper respiratory tract infections are common in cats and rarely result in death, lower respiratory tract disease can be fatal. Cats that breathe heavy...
Some dogs will naturally make more sounds than others. This can be especially so after they have exercised or been involved in some strenuous activity. Some noises can appear all of a sudden and should alert us to a problem. The nature of this problem can be varied, so it is very important we look at...
Normal respiration in certain dogs can sound noisy. This is the case with certain brachycephalic dog breeds such as the Pug. Even in other breeds, breathing issues can be relatively common. We can hear dogs sneezing or making strange sounds without requiring any specific medical treatment. Despite this relative...
A dog presenting with a runny nose and trouble breathing is a common cause for veterinary consultation. In the majority of cases, the stuffed nose is a result of agitation to the nasal mucosa. The underlying cause of such agitation is varied. They include relatively benign issues such as the common cold,...
Tracheitis in dogs is a disease of the upper respiratory tract that causes inflammation of the trachea. The trachea is the tube that connects the pharynx to the lungs and that consists of small rings of cartilage. The causes are many and in most cases the symptoms resolve on their own, or your pet may...
Dyspnea in cats is a shortness of breath that is bothersome and distressing, with varying degrees of obstruction depending on the cause. Cats may present with this breathing pattern due to a variety of causes, accompanied by more or less accompanying symptoms depending on the cause. Diagnosis of the specific...
Pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, the space between the pleural sacs of each lung. There is some fluid naturally in this cavity, but when fluid builds up, it poses serious health risks. An abnormal build up of pleural fluid can cause the cat respiratory distress. When this...
Although they may make a purring sound when relaxed and happy, a healthy cat shouldn't make noises when they breathe. Unless a cat is obviously choking on something, strange noises during breathing usually mean a respiratory problem. Whether acute or chronic, the problem should be addressed so proper treatment...
Dogs often suffer from rhinitis, an upper respiratory tract disease that involves inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes or other damage to the nasal mucous membranes. Viral infection is the most common cause of sudden rhinitis or sinusitis in dogs. The most common signs of rhinitis include nasal...
Labored breathing (dyspnea) is a clinical symptom which should be concerning for any dog guardian. The appearance of difficult and forced breathing can appear all of a sudden or it may be a result of a progressive deterioration. Although a dog will often breathe through their mouth, especially if they are exercising...
Laryngeal paralysis is a condition that affects the upper respiratory tract in dogs. When it occurs, the laryngeal cartilages do not open (abduct) correctly during inspiration. It can be due to either congenital or acquired causes, as well as unilateral or bilateral. Some dogs may have the problem, but remain...
If you are in the room with a cat reverse sneezing, it is very hard not to notice. Not only are the sneezes quite loud and repetitive, but they make a unique facial expression which can be worrying if you haven't seen the phenomenon before. The paroxysms of sneezes are different from regular sneezing due...
Although they present as similar symptoms, coughing and gagging in cats are not the same. Coughing is a sharp sudden expulsion of air form the lungs, whereas gagging is more of a choking sound. However, when the two present at the same time, it can help us to better determine the underlying cause. Some...
When we observe any breathing trouble in dogs, it is a clear sign of concern. Proper respiration is essential for life, so any respiratory problems in dogs not only threaten their well-being, but their very existence. While respiratory problems can be related to the breed of dog (especially with brachycephalic...
It's common to see our cat sneeze here and there. Just like us, cats will sneeze when their nasal passages are irritated. However, what does it mean if your cat has started to sneeze a lot? There are a number of reasons why your cat may have begun to sneeze a lot. It's usually a symptom indicating an...
There is a case to be made that breeding of Pugs should not be encouraged. Their morphology means they are prone to various diseases and health conditions common to brachycephalic dogs. However, anyone who has adopted a Pug into their family knows just how amazing they are as pets. The are so loving and...
A dog shouldn't be coughing and gagging at exactly the same time. It may happen we notice that they have a dry cough, but gag sometime before or after. Since a dog's symptoms can help us to understand their underlying problem, we need to look at overall context. This is why we look at these clinical signs...
Respiratory diseases in dogs are a relatively common veterinary medical issue. Paying attention to their pet's overall health and well-being is essential for any dog guardian. However, since there are many different types of respiratory disease in dogs, many of the symptoms are shared. This can make...
When we see a bunny sneeze, it can be one of the most adorable sights. They give a crinkle of their nose and do a little hop as reaction. When it is a one-off or rare case, there should be nothing to worry about. When a rabbit sneezing becomes frequent or even chronic, then it is a symptom of a health...
Asthma in dogs is a common respiratory disease which is often more prominent in smaller dog breeds. Knowing how to recognize symptoms of asthma in dogs is key in treating it correctly. Symptoms of asthma may include wheezing in dogs and constant coughing.
Does your dog have asthma? Find out here at AnimalWised,...
When your cat shows any signs of illness, it's easy to grow worried. Unless there is an underlying illness you are already aware of, you can think the worst. Unfortunately, many symptoms have various causes, some more benign than others. If you see that your cat has a runny nose and is sneezing, you...
A cat may make a wheezing noise when they breathe for various reasons. The noises can sound like choking, making us fear an emergency situation. If our cat's airway is blocked, we will need to find a way to make it clear, potentially saving their life in the process. Sometimes cats can make wheezing sounds...
Rhinitis in cats is a relatively common disorder in cats. Rhinitis in cats is often related to viruses that cause respiratory problems, such as herpes virus or feline calicivirus. Rhinitis or sinusitis in cats has several causes, which can make it difficult to diagnose. If you are wanting to know more...
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis, more commonly known as "kennel cough", is a condition that affects the respiratory system of dogs. It usually develops in places with a large number of dogs, such as kennels, hence its name.
Formerly, this disease appeared only in kennels or breeding grounds with inadequate...
Did you know that there are home remedies for a cat cold? Cats are prone to respiratory diseases, the most common being the common cold.
Have you seen your kitten less active than normal, seeking warmth with watery eyes and sneezing? It most likely has a cold.
It is a mild but not least important problem....