By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually from infection or from inhaling food, vomit, or fluid. In dogs it can start as a cough that seems like a simple cold and progress over a day or two to fast breathing, fever, and exhaustion. Puppies, older dogs, flat-faced breeds, and dogs that have recently vomited or been under anaesthetic are at higher risk. Because breathing problems can turn serious quickly, pneumonia is one of the conditions where it pays to be seen early. A milder, more common cause of coughing is covered in kennel cough in dogs.
Key takeaways
- The two main types are infectious pneumonia (bacterial, viral, or fungal) and aspiration pneumonia (from inhaling food, vomit, or liquid).
- Signs include a moist cough, fast or laboured breathing, fever, lethargy, nasal discharge, and poor appetite.
- Kennel cough can progress to pneumonia, especially in puppies.
- In Australia, tick paralysis is a common cause of aspiration pneumonia because it affects swallowing.
- Laboured breathing, blue or grey gums, or collapse need emergency care.
Types and causes
Infectious pneumonia. Bacteria are the most common cause, often following a viral infection such as canine respiratory viruses involved in kennel cough. Distemper virus can cause severe pneumonia in unvaccinated dogs. Fungal pneumonia is less common.
Aspiration pneumonia. This happens when material is inhaled into the airways. Risk factors include repeated vomiting, regurgitation, megaoesophagus (an enlarged, floppy food pipe), laryngeal paralysis, tick paralysis, sedation or anaesthesia, seizures, and force-feeding liquids or tablets.
Other causes. Inhaled foreign material such as grass seeds, smoke inhalation, parasites such as lungworm, and immune or inflammatory lung disease.
Signs of pneumonia in dogs
- A moist or productive cough
- Fast breathing at rest, or breathing with more effort
- Fever, lethargy, and weakness
- Reduced appetite
- Thick nasal discharge
- Reluctance to exercise or lie down
- Noisy or crackly breathing
Some dogs, particularly with aspiration pneumonia, have little or no cough and mainly show fast breathing and lethargy.
When it is an emergency
Go to an emergency veterinary hospital straight away if your dog:
- Is breathing hard, fast, or with an open mouth while resting
- Has blue, grey, or very pale gums
- Is standing with elbows out and neck stretched to breathe
- Is very weak, collapsing, or unresponsive
- Has a tick, a change in bark, wobbly back legs, or is regurgitating
- Started coughing or breathing fast after vomiting, a seizure, or an anaesthetic
- Is a puppy with a cough and lethargy or not eating
Keep your dog calm and cool during the trip and avoid pressure on the neck and chest.
How vets diagnose pneumonia
A vet will listen to the lungs, take your dog's temperature, and check breathing effort and gum colour. Chest X-rays are the main test, showing the pattern and location of lung changes, which helps distinguish aspiration from other types. Blood tests check for infection and overall health. Oxygen levels may be measured. In some cases, a sample from the airways (an airway wash) is collected for culture, which helps choose an antibiotic and is encouraged by ISCAID guidelines where practical. Vets also look for underlying causes such as megaoesophagus or tick paralysis.
Treatment, in overview
Treatment depends on severity and cause. Dogs with mild pneumonia may be treated as outpatients, while dogs with breathing difficulty often need hospital care with oxygen, fluids, and close monitoring. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics chosen by the vet, sometimes guided by culture results. Nebulisation and gentle chest physiotherapy (coupage) may be used to help clear secretions. Treating the underlying cause is just as important: for example, tick antiserum for tick paralysis or feeding changes for megaoesophagus. Follow-up X-rays are often recommended to confirm the lungs have cleared.
Recovery and prevention
- Give any prescribed medication for the full course, as directed.
- Allow rest and limit exercise until your vet says otherwise.
- Keep your dog in a warm, humid, smoke-free environment.
- Keep vaccinations up to date, including those that protect against distemper and kennel cough agents.
- Use tick prevention in paralysis tick areas and check your dog daily during tick season.
- For dogs with megaoesophagus or swallowing problems, follow your vet's feeding plan carefully.
- Do not force liquids or tablets into the mouth of a dog that is not swallowing normally.
FAQ
Is pneumonia contagious between dogs?
Some infectious causes can spread, especially respiratory viruses and bacteria involved in kennel cough. Aspiration pneumonia is not contagious. Keep a coughing dog away from other dogs until your vet advises.
How long does recovery take?
Many dogs improve within days of starting treatment, but full recovery often takes several weeks. Your vet may recheck with X-rays.
Can I give my dog cough medicine?
No. Cough suppressants can be harmful in pneumonia because coughing helps clear the lungs, and many human products are unsafe for dogs. Ask your vet.
Talk with a vet
If your dog has a cough and you are unsure whether it is serious, our vets can assess the pattern with you by video and help you decide how quickly to be seen. Book a consult at dialavet.com. If your dog is struggling to breathe or has blue or grey gums, go to an emergency vet hospital now.
References
- Lappin MR, et al. Antimicrobial use guidelines for treatment of respiratory tract disease in dogs and cats: International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2017.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Pneumonia in Dogs.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If your pet is struggling to breathe, contact a veterinary hospital immediately.