Pet Asthma Treatment at with our Duarte Veterinarian

Pets, just like humans may be susceptible to asthma. If your pet has asthma, the symptoms are primarily triggered by irritants or allergens that around found in your pet’s environment. Although it’s often difficult to determine the exact triggers, the most common allergens/triggers include pollen, grass, dust, mold/mildew, and smoke. The good news is a visit to our Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital in Duarte, CA can help with treatment to lessen the severity and frequency of your pet’s asthma attacks.

How Do Animals Get Asthma?

First, it is important to understand that asthma is not a disease. It is actually a symptom that occurs as part of a severe allergy reaction. Pets that have a weakened immune system are the most prone to allergies and allergic reactions. For example, your dog may have an asthma attack because they are allergic to a type of airborne irritants, such as tree pollen, dust or other types of air pollutants. There are also other, deeper underlying issues that may also cause asthma in pets, such as bacterial or viral infections, worms or even some cancers. Some breeds, such as maltase’s or pugs are more prone to asthma due to the shape and size of their airway.

How is it Diagnosed?

There are a number of ways your vet in Duarte is able to diagnose asthma in pets, including the presence of the symptoms. Your vet may also do a chest x-ray to look for inflammation in the airways and do a blood analysis. Your vet will also monitor your pet’s response to the prescribed treatments, which can also help to identify whether or not your pet is experiencing asthma. To rule out other respiratory problems, the veterinarian may also test for parasites and heartworms as well as do a blood count and culture to rule out the presence of a bacterial infection.

How Our Veterinarian Helps

Once your vet has diagnosed your pet with asthma, they will often prescribe medications, such as antihistamines, steroids, antibiotics and/or bronchodilators to help relieve the symptoms can control your pet’s asthma attacks.  Your veterinarian will also monitor your pet to determine if the prescribed medications are affective and if not, they will prescribe something different in order to reduce the symptoms and outbreak of asthma attacks. In serious situations, such as your pet having an asthma attack and you have not used medications or if the medications are not being successful, the vet will temporarily use oxygen in order to get your pet’s breathing under control.

Contact Our Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital in Duarte, CA!

If you suspect your pet may be experience asthma, contact Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital to schedule an exam as soon as possible.