Do You Know Why Your Dog is Wheezing?

In this post, we are going to break down a few common causes of dog wheezing; while some can be somewhat more concerning than others, most of them are pretty manageable with prompt veterinary attention. And this includes; 

Inhaled Blockage 

Dog wheezing is mainly a result of your dog inhaling a foreign object which then becomes lodged in their nasal passages or windpipe, consequently obstructing the process of inhalation and exhalation. This is likely to happen when the animal chomps down food a little too fast while, at the same time, inhaling while eating, causing a food piece to get stuck in places it shouldn't be. That said, it can also occur when your dog tries to swallow or chew a toy, stick, or any other paraphernalia they have no business eating. 

Allergies 

Allergies are by far the biggest cause of dog wheezing and troubled breathing. This is because most dogs that suffer from seasonal allergies are likely to manifest characteristic wheezing as one of their most recognizable symptoms. Speaking of which, cases of this type of allergies are highest when pollen counts are at their highest i.e., during flowering months.

Heartworms 

Heartworm infestation is yet another cause of dog wheezing that you may want to be on the lookout for. You see, as much as heartworms often set their roots in the heart (as the name suggests), they can travel from the heart to the lungs and other neighboring organs of the dog's body. Still, as much as this is usually an advanced stage of this parasitic disease, it is perfectly manageable through a combination of vet and hospice pet care. 

Nasal Mites 

Just like heartworms, nasal mites are a parasitic infestation whose progression can make it difficult for the pet to breathe properly. If anything, nasal mites can cause your dog to wheeze continuously or even go as far as scratching out his snout/face on furniture frequently. Always be on the lookout for such symptoms, especially if you suspect the pet has an ongoing infestation of nasal mites. 

Heart Disease

Dogs suffering from heart disease are very likely to develop characteristic chronic wheezing after some time. And as much as this is usually not the first sign of the progression of heart disease, it is also not one of the final ones. This implies that it is not too late for you (as the pet owner) to take decisive action and save the pet's health from further deterioration. 

References: PetMD, OrlandoVETS

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