What your vet might call pulmonary edema is just another term for fluid in your dog’s lungs. Fluid may accumulate over time in the air sacs (alveoli) of your dog’s lungs, making it seem as though he only has a breathing problem when he exerts himself. Or it may accumulate quickly, causing acute respiratory distress. If the air sacs are filled with fluid instead of air, they will not be able to function properly and his breathing will be less efficient due to low oxygen intake and limited carbon monoxide output. Breathing are serious and require immediate veterinary attention.
Symptoms of Fluid in the Lungs in Dogs
Symptoms vary depending on the reason fluid is accumulating in your dog’s lungs and how long breathing difficulty has been developing. If your dog is showing any of the following, see your vet immediately:
– Coughing
– Weakness
– Crackling noises when breathing
– Rapid intake of air upon exertion
– Showing an effort when breathing
– Blue tongue or lips (cyanosis)
– Collapse
Types
There are two types of pulmonary edema:
Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema – If your dog has a history of heart trouble, he may be experiencing cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Sodium and water retention may lead to fluid build up, and is secondary to left side congestive heart failure.
Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema – This type of pulmonary edema may be caused by trauma. The accumulating fluid will have a higher concentration of protein.
Causes of Fluid in the Lungs in Dogs
There are many things that could cause fluid to accumulate in your dog’s lungs.
Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema
– High sodium diet
– Dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart)
– Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of walls of the heart)
– Mitral valve regurgitation (heart valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow back into the heart)
Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema
– Electrocution
– Trauma to the head
– Secondary disease such as cancer
– Drowning
– Smoke inhalation
Diagnosis of Fluid in the Lungs in Dogs
Your vet may want to rule out things like obstruction, heartworm or pneumonia as causes for his symptoms. They’ll make note of his weight, as cardiac disease may cause him to be underweight. It may be found that your dog has an elevated heart rate and a weak pulse.
The fluid in the lungs will be diagnosed with an x-ray. If your dog has an enlarged heart, distended pulmonary veins, and fluid in the air sacs of the lungs, it will be diagnosed as cardiogenic pulmonary edema. An x-ray that shows fluid in the lungs without an enlarged heart is a sign of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Measurement of the fluid’s protein content can also lead to a diagnosis, as noncardiogenic pulmonary edema will have high levels of protein, whereas cardiogenic will show low levels.
Treatment of Fluid in the Lungs in Dogs
Treatment will depend on what caused the fluid to appear in the lungs, but first your vet will want to stabilize your dog. He may be put on oxygen, and given antibiotics to prevent pneumonia.
Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema
Your dog will need rest and support. Diuretics can hasten the removal of the fluid and vasdiolators will widen his blood cells. His blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate will be monitored while he’s hospitalized. Several x-rays may be ordered to keep an eye on the fluid levels. Heart disease is a chronic problem, so the fluid may return.
Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema
Controlling the factor that caused the edema will be an important part of treatment. Depending on the severity and the cause, your dog may be able to improve quickly with oxygen therapy. Antibiotics, IV fluids and colloids, diuretics and anti-inflammatories will be given to him as needed. Blood pressue, respiratory rate, body temperature and oxygen saturation will be checked regularly while he’s being treated.
In both cases, your dog will benefit from the least amount of stress possible during hospitalization.
Recovery from Fluid in the Lungs in Dogs
Once your vet knows which kind of pulmonary edema your dog is suffering from, they’ll be able to determine what kind of follow up will be needed.
A low sodium diet and medication to repair and strengthen the heart will be necessary should your dog suffer from a cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Because noncardiogenic can be caused by so many different issues, follow up will be determined by the underlying cause.
In either case, follow-ups will be an important part of keeping your pet well. You should be aware of any changes in your dog’s breathing patterns and keep an eye out for irregularities in the future.
