If you’ve ever noticed your dog wheezing when he gets excited, you’re likely wondering what the cause of this strange behavior might be. Dog wheezing can be a symptom of a variety of underlying medical conditions, some of which require prompt attention from a veterinarian. This blog post will explore the potential causes of your dog wheezing, as well as the steps you should take to ensure your pup is healthy and happy. We’ll also look at ways to potentially prevent wheezing in the future. By understanding the causes and possible treatments of your dog’s wheezing, you can ensure that your pup is in the best of health and free from any potential risks or discomfort associated with the issue.
What Does A Wheezing Dog Sound Like?
It can be alarming if your dog is making wheezing noises. The sound is distinct from a cough or sneeze and is strikingly similar to human wheezing. When breathing, a canine who is wheezing will typically whine loudly on the exhalation.
When your dog is in distress, they might look for a place to lay down so they can try to control their breathing.
Lower airways in a dog’s lungs are affected by canine chronic bronchitis. Inflammation in bronchitis causes the airways to swell and release mucus, which eventually narrows the airways. The primary sign of bronchitis is coughing, which is an effort to clear the airways. As the condition worsens, however, dogs may have trouble breathing and start to wheeze when exhaling.
A chronic condition in dogs that affects the windpipe (trachea) is known as a collapsed trachea. A dog’s airway can become mildly to severely obstructed when the supportive rings around the trachea collapse due to weak cartilage. This condition’s symptoms include a honking cough and unusual breathing noises, such as wheezing.
A dog’s wheezing can be brought on by airborne allergens such as pollen, mold, and dust. When these allergens get into the dog’s airways, an allergic reaction could make the airways swell, which would make breathing challenging. 2.
A highly contagious upper respiratory infection that irritates the airways, kennel cough. The most typical symptom is a persistent dry cough, but exercise can also cause or exacerbate breathing problems like wheezing.
Wheezing in dogs can result from upper respiratory tract infections, which are comparable to the common cold or flu in people. These infections typically cause coughing, sneezing, breathing problems (including wheezing), and a reduced capacity for exercise. 3.
Wheezing can be brought on by a number of heart conditions, including cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and mitral valve disease, in older dogs and occasionally in younger dogs. Lethargy and exercise intolerance brought on by these illnesses may make it difficult for dogs to breathe, which may result in wheezing. 4.
Wheezing can be brought on by foreign objects that are partially obstructing your dog’s airway. These items could be toys, sticks, large pieces of food, bone fragments, or other things your dog might discover lying around the house or yard. Take immediate action if you notice your puppy wheezing because this is a problem in young dogs who like to chew on just about anything.
Why is my dog coughing but acting normal?
If your dog is coughing but otherwise acting normally, that might be an indication that their cough is caused by excitement or anxiety. Runny nose, sneezing, or lethargy are typical additional symptoms of coughs brought on by infections and other medical conditions. Your dog may simply be coughing out of excitement if they are coughing while playing or running around the yard. However, it’s still worth talking to your vet about.
What Can I Do About It?
Hearing your dog wheeze whenever they get excited can be alarming. If you’re worried, here are some things you can do.
Bring your dog in for a checkup if you are worried about his breathing or general health. Keep an eye on your dog and communicate any changes to your veterinarian.
Try to estimate when you first became aware of your wheezing. Does your dog seem to have breathing problems all the time, or does it only happen occasionally depending on what your dog was doing when it started?
Review vaccination and heartworm prevention history with your vet, as well as any recent trips your dog has taken.
Along with the wheezing and coughing, keep an eye out for any additional symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, or nasal discharge. Other symptoms can help to identify the cause if you are aware of them.
FAQ
Do dogs wheeze when they are happy?
Your veterinarian can assist you with possible treatments if this occurs. Although a collapsing trachea may sound extremely dangerous, it isn’t too concerning; all it means is that if your dog gets too excited or overexerts himself, he will frequently wheeze.
Why does my dog sound like he choking when excited?
Sometimes when dogs become excited or anxious they can cough. Due to their increased level of excitement or anxiety, dogs who have tracheal collapse (where part of their windpipe has started to collapse) typically exhibit this as they are breathing more heavily.
Why does my dog wheeze when playing?
When something restricts or blocks the airflow in the windpipe, it can cause stridor in dogs, which is a whistling sound. This may result from a number of medical conditions, an obstruction in the windpipe, or swelling and inflammation of the airways.
Should I be worried if my dog is wheezing?
It’s imperative to take your dog to the vet if the coughing and wheezing doesn’t stop on its own after a few days or if it gets worse. The best source of information about the symptoms they are experiencing and how to treat them is your veterinarian.