Typically highly contagious, upper respiratory infections spread via various viral and bacterial pathogens that enter the oral and nasal cavities. Infectious dogs transmit the pathogens when they cough, sneeze, or have nose-to-nose contact with other dogs.
In the early stages, this often involves supplementing oxygen with the use of an oxygen cage, or a line that carries oxygen directly into the nasal passages. In more severe cases, however, dogs often must be placed on a mechanical ventilator.
If the pathogen that caused your dog's upper respiratory infection is bacterial, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to help your dog's body fight the infection. Antibiotics can be used to fight Bordetella and other bacteria, but they're not effective against viruses.
Dogs show a number of symptoms when they have a respiratory infection, including watery eyes, discharge from the nose, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, and fever. Your dog may not want to play as usual or may refuse to eat.
Thankfully, most upper respiratory infections are mild and self-limiting and should resolve within a week to 10 days.
The infection is normally caused by a virus or bacteria and is comparable to a chest cold in a person, ranging from minor to severe. A dog with an respiratory disease will often improve on its own in one to three weeks. Respiratory infections are highly contagious.
It's often caused by bacteria or a virus, and it's highly contagious. Fortunately, it's typically not life-threatening unless it leads to complications like pneumonia. Any dog can contract an upper respiratory infection, but puppies, older dogs, and dogs with health issues are at greater risk.
Canine influenza, also known as the dog flu, is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by specific Type A influenza viruses known to infect dogs, and is different from the seasonal influenza viruses that spread annually among people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If your dog's respiratory rate exceeds 60 breaths per minute, seek immediate veterinary care. Gasping, excessive coughing, panting (despite being in a cool area and resting), or abnormal sounds indicate that your dog should be seen immediately.
Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), more familiarly known as "kennel cough," is a highly contagious illness affecting the respiratory tract in dogs. All breeds and ages are susceptible.
You may get repeated infections because of things in your environment and lifestyle like: Contact with other infected people (especially those who are coughing or sneezing) Pollen and other irritants. Smoking and secondhand smoke.
Upper respiratory infections typically last one to two weeks. Most of the time, they go away on their own. Over-the-counter pain medications can help you feel better. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
The best home remedies for an upper respiratory infection include over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, saline nasal sprays, humidifiers, drinking plenty of fluids, and even fasting and using honey.
For over the last year, upper respiratory infections have been increasing, even among vaccinated dogs. Kennel cough or Bordetella bronchoseptica (the main bacterial agent at the core of kennel cough) is one of the most common pathogens involved with canine URIs.
Chest x‑rays are typically done for dogs with lower respiratory signs such as cough, rapid shallow breathing, or labored breathing. Blood gas analysis or pulse oximetry measure the amount of oxygen in the blood and may help assess the need for oxygen therapy in an animal with severe labored breathing.
Signs and Symptoms
Increased breathing rate - Count the number of breaths for one minute. Is your child breathing faster than usual? Retractions - Check to see if the chest pulls in with each breath, especially around the collarbone and around the ribs. Nasal flaring - Check to see if nostrils widen when breathing in.