Receiving the news that your dog has kidney disease can be scary and confusing for pet parents. Kidney disease occurs on a spectrum – some cases are an emergency, and your dog may be feeling very sick, vomiting, and acting lethargic.

In other cases, you just may note that the water bowl is empty more often than normal, and your dog is having to urinate frequently. And to complicate things more, kidney disease may be asymptomatic early in its course, only to be discovered via annual blood and urine testing. Every dog’s journey with kidney disease will be highly dependent on the cause, severity, progression, and treatments.

Managing kidney disease hinges on understanding all of the ways that the kidney supports the body. Kidneys are made up of millions of tiny cellular units called nephrons. These little nephrons are the true workhorses of the kidney and perform many essential functions for the body.

There are a variety of medical problems that cause nephrons to become damaged and result in kidney failure in dogs. Unfortunately, once healthy kidneys are permanently damaged, they cannot regenerate healthy tissue.

The kidneys are so good at compensating for damaged nephrons that by the time we start to see evidence of kidney damage on your dog’s lab work, at least 2/3 of the kidney’s functional capacity is already diminished! At that time, it is important that treatment is initiated to preserve as much kidney function as possible.

Let’s talk more about what the kidneys do.

What Do Dog’s Kidneys Do?

The kidneys are responsible for many functions that are crucial to overall health. One such function is removing excess waste, fluids, and toxins. This keeps the body healthy by preventing buildup.

When the kidneys can no longer filter out these substances, it is a sign that they aren’t working properly. Kidneys also control blood pressure and pH levels, help produce red blood cells and support bone health.

So what are the signs of this vital organ failing?

What Are the Clinical Signs of Chronic Kidney Disease?

Some of the most common symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, increased or decreased urination, and thirst. You might also notice your dog’s gums becoming pale or that their breath has a chemical scent. Additionally, they might have trouble walking or staying balanced.

This wide range of symptoms will likely worsen as the disease progresses.

What Causes Kidney Failure in Dogs?

Now that you know the signs, you might be wondering how your furbaby became ill. Several things can cause kidney failure, ranging from damage to specific parts of the kidneys to ingesting household products that may contain dangerous toxins.

Let’s dive in:

Kidney Damage

There are many ways in which the kidneys could become damaged. Here are a few possible infections and other issues that may have caused your dog’s kidney failure:

• Glomerular Disease: This disease occurs when the part of the kidney responsible for the filtration of waste products, called the glomerulus, becomes inflamed. The inflammation damages surrounding tissues within the kidney, which leads to the development of chronic kidney disease.

In the early stages, your dog may not exhibit symptoms, but it is vital to seek treatment as soon as possible to slow the progression of this illness.

• Nephrolithiasis: Nephrolithiasis is a term used to describe kidney stones. Kidney stones may not be painful initially but can become painful if they result in a blockage or infection.
• Blockage: If kidney stones become fragmented, they can move into the ureter along with urine as it reaches the bladder. The fragments could cause a blockage if they become stuck within the ureter, making it difficult for urine to leave the bladder. Consequently, the kidneys become enlarged and damaged.
• Leptospirosis: This is a treatable bacterial infection that can cause acute kidney injury but may also contribute to chronic kidney disease. Prompt management of this infection is best to ensure a favorable outcome.

Household Products and Toxins

Some products you use in your home can be hazardous for dogs.

A few common household items that may contribute to kidney failure include:

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins are both poisonous as they stay in the stomach for an extended period of time and aren’t processed correctly within your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.

The exact amount needed to inhibit kidney function is unknown, but you should avoid giving these fruits to your dog altogether to minimize the risk.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze can be found in products such as paint, motor oil, hydraulic brake fluid, and radiator coolant, more commonly referred to as automotive antifreeze.

Cardiac Medications

Some heart medications include beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, both of which are used in human and veterinary medicine to effectively treat high blood pressure and cardiac disease. Poisoning due to these medications can lead to a low heart rate and acute kidney injury.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications

It is not safe to give your dog over-the-counter medication meant for humans without first receiving guidance from your veterinarian upon consultation since many human medications are harmful to animals. This includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil and Motrin. These can cause intestinal ulcers and acute kidney injury.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is extremely harmful to dogs, and they could rapidly develop an acute kidney injury if this vitamin is ingested. Vitamin D3 can raise calcium and phosphorus levels, otherwise referred to as hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Consequently, the body’s soft tissues within the heart, kidneys, and GI tract will harden.

Several items in your home contain vitamin D3, including rat poison, prescription vitamins, multivitamins, and omega fatty acid supplements.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Age

The age at which dogs could develop chronic kidney disease varies based on age and size.

Large dogs might show early signs of CKD as young as seven years of age because they tend to have a shorter life span than smaller breeds. In contrast, small dogs live longer and may not show signs of CKD until they are around ten to 14 years of age.

How Is CKD Diagnosed?

To diagnose CKD, your vet may conduct several tests, including three different blood tests, as well as urine testing, radiography, ultrasonography, and testing for infectious diseases.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Radiography: This test uses X-rays to examine your dog for tumors or kidney stones. It might also help detect other health problems.

• Ultrasonography: Ultrasounds are safer than radiographs because they use sound waves instead of radiation. However, both tests are essential: ultrasounds take images of the body’s tissue differently than radiographs.

• Blood Urea Nitrogen: The BUN test is a blood test that is usually incorporated into blood panels. Elevated results are only shown on this test when kidney function has decreased by 60 to 70 percent, making it highly effective at uncovering kidney problems.

• Blood Creatinine: Similar to the BUN test, the blood creatinine test will only show elevated results at 60 to 70 percent decreased kidney function. Creatinine is an amino acid in muscle protein. Both tests are influenced by factors unrelated to kidney function, such as exercise, diet, and muscle mass. For this reason, these tests can provide an accurate diagnosis after the disease has progressed, but a final blood test is needed to diagnose CKD in its early stages.

• SDMA Test: Symmetric dimethylarginine tests for an amino acid called arginine. SDMA levels elevate well before BUN and creatinine, helping detect kidney failure early on. Your dog could be tested for phosphorus and calcium levels in their blood.

• Urinalysis: Testing urine can provide information about the status of the kidneys that may not have been apparent in blood testing. This includes the detection of protein loss within urine, the presence of bladder stones, bleeding, and inflammation.

What’s the Outlook? The Future for Dogs With Kidney Disease

CKD is progressive, but proper treatment can allow dogs to live for months to even years with the diagnosis while still having a good quality of life. Starting treatment as soon as possible can help them live longer.

Geriatric Degeneration

As your dog ages, they could develop health issues, including CKD. We’ll discuss a few of them and their symptoms below.

Degenerative Joint Disease

This disease is also known as Osteoarthritis. Dogs can develop arthritis in old age, just like humans. Typically, this affects the function of any weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, which erodes the body’s cartilage over time. Osteoarthritis is progressive, but treatment can help ease your dog’s pain while slowing progression.

Dementia

Older dogs may begin to show signs of cognitive dysfunction, including dementia. You’ll want to see your veterinarian for an official diagnosis if you notice your dog doing things like pacing, having accidents, appearing confused or lost, or withdrawing from the family. Dementia cannot be cured, but your vet can prescribe medications or supplements that might make these symptoms more manageable.

Blindness

Dogs can lose their vision as they get older, and while there is no way to reverse it, their other senses can help them adapt. It is best not to rearrange your furniture so that they won’t be confused about their surroundings at home and keep them on a leash when you take them outside.

Diabetes

Canine diabetes is a frequent concern in elderly dogs and can present itself in one of two ways. The first and most common is insulin-deficient diabetes. This occurs when the pancreas is not functioning properly, preventing the body from producing enough insulin.

The second form is insulin-resistant diabetes, during which insulin is produced but is not used properly within the body. Diabetes can lead to abnormal blood chemistry, resulting in damage to organs, including the kidneys. If your dog has diabetes, they may experience weight loss, increased appetite and urination, and increased thirst.

Symptoms of End-Stage Renal Disease in Dogs

When your dog enters the end stages of kidney failure, their symptoms may worsen. Some of these could be similar to ones they experienced in prior stages of CKD, while others were not present before the final stages.

Review a few of them below:

• Uremia: When waste productsbuild up in the body, this gives your dog’s breath a strong ammonia scent

• Mouth Ulcers: Uremia could cause painful ulcers in your dog’s mouth.

• Dull and shedding coat: Your dog might begin to shed more than usual, and their coat may appear unkempt.

• Bloodshot eyes: During the final stages, the eyes may seem bloodshot.

• Loss of body fat and muscle mass: The weight loss brought on by kidney failure can cause them to appear emaciated as they lose both muscle mass and body fat.

• Dehydration: Although kidney failure causes increased thirst, it also causes frequent urination, leaving your dog constantly dehydrated.

• Dry and pale gums: The gums could become pale and extremely dry due to the lack of fluids in your dog’s body.

• Fatigue and lethargy: Your dog’s energy levels may decrease, causing them to sleep more and become less active.

• Slow heart rate and trouble breathing: During prior stages, the heart rate may increase, but it becomes slower in the final stages. However, blood pressure could become elevated. Difficulty breathing could also arise.

• Anemia: Anemia is the lack of healthy red blood cells in the body, resulting in reduced oxygen flow to the organs.

• Tremors and shaking: Your dog might experience shaking, tremors, and loss of balance.

• Seizures: Recurrent seizures are a major indication that your dog is in the final stages of kidney failure.

• Depression and disorientation: Your dog may seem confused and lose interest in things they usually enjoy.

Acute or Chronic?

Acute Kidney Failure (acute renal failure) occurs when there is a sudden injury to the kidney tissue due to causes like toxin ingestion or infections like Lyme or Leptospirosis. This damage occurs quickly over minutes, hours, and days. Acute Kidney Failure is an emergency needing immediate treatment.

If the damage happens more slowly over time due to unknown reasons and old age, it is referred to as Chronic Kidney Failure (chronic renal failure). Treatment for this type of kidney disease involves long-term management to prevent progression and further loss of those important nephrons.

End-stage chronic kidney failure occurs when the damage is in such an advanced state that other body systems are also affected, and the condition of the dog is very poor overall.

Treatment of acute and chronic kidney failure are similar yet different since one happens on a much faster timeline than the other! How do we tell the difference between acute and chronic?

Using information from the pet parent about recent changes in your dog that you have observed at home, physical exam findings, blood and urine test results, blood pressure readings, and other diagnostic options like x-ray and abdominal ultrasound, your veterinarian can distinguish which type of kidney issue your dog is experiencing.

When a kidney injury is diagnosed, the goals of treatment are to address the original cause of the damage, restore as much kidney function as possible, and slow the damage and further loss of function. Some treatments also directly target the buildup of certain wastes in the bloodstream, aid in hydration, and maintain electrolyte balances.

How Is Acute Kidney Failure Treated?

The kidneys are very fragile and can be rapidly and severely injured by infections, toxins (grapes, raisins, antifreeze), and severe dehydration (heat stroke and shock). Without treatment, acute kidney failure is life-threatening. If the kidneys experience this sudden injury, the sooner treatment is received, the better the outcome!

Severely ill dogs can be expected to be hospitalized for several days. In some cases, acute kidney failure can be reversed; the kidneys can be jump-started again to resume their responsibilities.

In other cases, treatment is ineffective or not initiated in time, and the kidneys will suffer a degree of permanent damage.

Possible Treatment Plans for Acute Kidney Failure in Dogs

If your dog is diagnosed with acute kidney failure, here are some treatments that may be offered:

• Treatment for the primary disease causing the acute kidney failure (such as antibiotics for an infection of the kidneys)
• Intravenous (IV) Fluids: used to restore electrolytes and hydration and help the kidneys continue to flush out the wastes and toxins from the bloodstream.
• Urinary Catheterization: measuring the urine output is key in monitoring how the kidneys are rebounding and responding to treatment.
• Medications: Antibiotics, anti-nausea medications, gastro protectants, appetite stimulants, blood pressure medications, cardiac support, and pain medications if your dog is painful
• Temporary Feeding Tube: Many dogs feel lousy and do not want to eat. A feeding tube can help deliver nutrition directly to their stomach until they are ready to eat on their own.
• Monitoring: Bodyweight, urine output, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, temperature, and urine and blood testing will assist your veterinarian in closely monitoring your dog’s status.

Are There Renal Replacement Therapies for Dogs?

AskVet Tip: Unfortunately, treatments called “renal replacement therapies” (aka dialysis and kidney transplants) are not widely available options to treat kidney failure in animals. Some veterinary hospitals do have dialysis capabilities, but at this time, it is not routinely used and is very expensive.

For more information, refer to your veterinarian for dialysis options at referral centers and large veterinary hospitals in your area.

Acute kidney failure is a very serious and potentially fatal condition. Prognosis often depends on the initial cause of the kidney injury and how quickly appropriate treatment is begun.

Some dogs will beat the odds and have an excellent response to treatment, resuming their regular healthy lives! Unfortunately, other dogs will suffer permanent damage to the kidneys and live with some level of chronic renal failure, requiring ongoing care for the rest of their lives.

Treatment Options for Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease has a much slower progression and often takes place over months and years rather than hours and days. Since chronic kidney disease occurs from mild to severe, the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) created a standard set of guidelines for treating chronic kidney disease based on the classified stage.

What Are the Four Stages of IRIS?

The IRIS has 4 stages – stage one being very mild disease and stage 4 being severe end-stage disease. IRIS staging is based on a complete assessment of kidney function, which includes blood and urine test results and blood pressure measurement. (You may hear your veterinarian discuss blood values such as creatinine, BUN, SDMA, and urine protein creatinine ratio!)

With mild kidney disease, only a few treatments may be needed to aid the nephron with filtration, maintain hydration, lower blood pressure, and balance electrolytes.

With advanced kidney disease, the filtering power of the nephron is greatly diminished, causing wastes and toxins to build up in the bloodstream affecting the function of other organs around the body.

Possible Treatments for IRIS

The following are some commonly recommended treatments for dogs with IRIS Stages 1-4 kidney disease in order to improve or maintain kidney function and quality of life for as long as possible:

• Treat any primary disease-causing or complicating condition (such as high blood pressure)
• “Renal diet”: Prescription diets with decreased protein and restricted phosphorus and sodium content to help support struggling kidneys and reduce the amount of work they have to do (Hill’s K/D and K/D Early Support, Purina Pro Plan NF and NF Early Care, Royal Canin Renal Support and Early Renal Support)
• Supplements: Phosphorus binders (Epikatin, Aluminum Hydroxide), vitamin D supplements (calcitriol), potassiumsupplements, probiotics (Azodyl), omega-3 fatty acid supplements (fish oil)
• Medications: Blood pressure medications (enalapril, telmisartan, amlodipine), anti-nausea medications (cerenia, ondansetron), appetite stimulants (mirtazapine, entyce), antacids (omeprazole, famotidine)
• Intravenous or Subcutaneous Fluids: Maintain hydration and correct electrolyte imbalances. IV fluids can be given in the hospital and fluids under the skin (subcutaneous, or “SQ” fluids) can be given at home.
• Erythropoietin: Injectable erythropoietin may become necessary if the red cell count becomes too low.
• Feeding tube: Sick dogs sometimes do not want to eat, so a feeding tube can provide nutrition directly into the stomach for a period of time until he starts to feel better

How Can Kidney Failure Be Prevented?

The best thing you can do to reduce the chances of canine kidney failure is to schedule regular vet visits. This makes it less likely that they will develop any conditions you would be unaware of. When they are examined by your vet often, routine tests such as blood work and urine tests may detect early signs of kidney disease and other illnesses.

Your dog’s diet is another aspect of preventing kidney disease is keeping your dog on a healthy diet. Adding probiotics can support good bacteria that are already in their system. Feeding your dog high-quality food with protein as the main ingredient can help support kidney function.

Providing your dog with clean drinking water will also lessen the bacteria they consume. If your dog is susceptible to kidney problems or other issues, your vet might recommend specific foods to support kidney health.

You should always talk to your vet when navigating a CKD diagnosis, as they can assist you in coming up with a treatment plan that best suits your dog.

Goals of Treatment

The goals of treatment are to address any disease responsible for damaging the kidneys in the first place, support the remaining kidney function, and address any fluid, electrolyte, and mineral imbalances that arise due to the compromised kidneys.

Pet parents can take an active role in helping their pups by closely adhering to treatment plans and following up with the recommended recheck appointments and blood/urine tests.

The response to treatment can vary widely between dogs – some kidney function can improve with the above treatments allowing dogs to live an active and happy life for many years.

Other dogs may progress quickly and develop debilitating issues resulting in a poorer quality of life. Keeping your dog feeling good for as long as possible is the outcome we all strive for!

Our AskVetCertified Pet Lifestyle Coaches™ (CPLC) are available to discuss all of your pet’s needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account, and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs; no reservation required!

Join AskVet to discuss any lingering questions you may have and formulate a lifestyle plan totally tailored to any pet in your household.

 

Sources:

Kidney Failure in Dogs – Signs & Symptom | Rossmoyne Animal Emergency Trauma Center | Mechanicsburg.

Kidney Failure in Dogs | Kirrawee Vet Hospital | NSW

Renal Failure in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | Flat Rock Emergency Vet

Hypercalcemia in Dogs and Cats – Endocrine System | Merck Veterinary Manual

Hyperphosphatemia in Animals – Metabolic Disorders | Merck Veterinary Manual

 

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

Vomiting is not fun for anyone involved! The worry, the mess, the unknown – it is no mystery why vomiting in dogs is often accompanied by pet-parent-panic. Deciphering the cause of your dog’s vomiting can be tricky as there are seemingly infinite causes of vomiting in dogs. These can range from eating too fast, car-ride-induced motion sickness, and tummy upset from pizza stealing — to more serious issues like liver disease, kidney failure, intestinal inflammation, and viral and bacterial infections. … and the list goes on and on!

How do you know if your dog’s vomiting is serious and needs veterinary intervention? Here, we’ll take a practical approach towards vomiting in dogs and explore which situations may indicate that your dog needs veterinary care.

Vomiting or Regurgitation?

First things first – we need to make sure your dog is indeed vomiting and not regurgitating as both actions can result in a puddle of goo on the floor! Vomiting is when your dog performs a “heave, heave, heave … BLEHHH!!!” and forcibly expels contents from the stomach and intestines. On the other hand, regurgitation is more like a passive and quiet “burp” – there is no dramatic heaving process, but a large amount of undigested food is returned to the floor. 

Why does it matter? Distinguishing vomiting from regurgitation can give hints for different conditions, so it is important to know which is affecting your dog. Causes of regurgitating food is a subject for another day, but if you suspect your pup may be regurgitating, a visit to the veterinarian is recommended!

Is Your Vomiting Dog Acting Normal or Lethargic?

Not all vomiting is created equal! Here we will describe some of the common scenes you may encounter in your home and break down when vomiting may be no big deal versus a more serious situation that needs veterinary support.

The “Puke and Rally”

Sometimes dogs just vomit randomly, and that is okay! Single occurrence, transient vomiting is just something that dogs will do from time to time, and it is often no cause for panic. Many times, the exact cause is not even determined — and sometimes a dog will even consume the evidence by gobbling it back up right away (EW!). A dog who vomited once but is otherwise feeling fine, eating and drinking normally, having normal urine and bowel movements, and otherwise carrying on with his day like normal sounds like he is doing just fine! Keep an eye on this guy though, as repeated vomiting or a change in appetite and attitude may indicate that there is more going on.  

What might be some causes of the “puke and rally” in dogs? Being the curious scavengers that they are, dogs are not shy about putting things in their mouths and swallowing them! Dietary indiscretion can affect both old and young dogs (especially the curious youngsters!) due to the sampling of plants, seeds, dirt, bugs, toxins, human food, and more. All of these bear the potential to cause a transient upset stomach. Also be aware that changing dog treats and food brands, varieties, or even opening a new food bag can also cause an upset stomach in some dogs.

AskVet Tip: Dogs can be very sensitive to diet changes! When changing your dog’s diet to a new brand, variety, or even opening a new bag of food, a slow transition is recommended to help your dog’s stomach and digestive tract adjust to the new food. A gradual transition over 1-2 weeks, adding the new diet to the old, can help alleviate some of the possible tummy upset that can occur from introducing a new food. It is recommended to introduce the new diet by offering 25% more every 2 days, and simultaneously phasing out the old.

Puppies will sometimes eat their food very fast (often not even taking the time to chew it up!) and engorge themselves, causing a prompt return of their undigested food to the floor shortly afterward! Slowing down their eating habits using food puzzles and timed feeders can help delay the consumption, aiding in proper digestion.

Puppies and young dogs are also often victims of motion sickness, frequently vomiting in the car every time they are out for a ride. Your veterinarian can recommend some medications to help this issue, and thankfully puppies do tend to grow out of motion sickness as they age and mature!

Repeated Vomiting, But Still Feelin’ Fine

Unfortunately, there are times when dogs will vomit more than just once, which is more concerning and requires some close monitoring at home. Dogs that have vomited a few times, but remain active and happy, have an appetite, are drinking water (and holding it down), and continue to pee and poop normally may recover on their own in a short period. However, if that vomiting continues or other conditions change, keep a close watch as they may need some follow-up care and diagnostic testing at the veterinary clinic.

What are some causes of multi-episode vomiting, but remaining pretty normal otherwise? Again, dietary indiscretion (eating random stuff, people food, toxins, new diets, etc) might kick off more serious stomach and intestinal upset that lingers and does not rectify itself quickly. Dietary Intolerances and food allergies can also cause multiple episodes of vomiting, too, since the food is causing repeat daily irritation. An intestinal parasite could be the culprit too, and sometimes you even see some wriggly worms in the vomit, indicating that your pup needs some testing and treatment. Some medications can irritate the stomach and intestinal lining too, causing some vomiting after administering it.  

A condition called bilious vomiting can cause some puppies and senior dogs to experience occasional vomiting of yellowish liquid due to their stomach being empty for a prolonged period of time during the hours in between meals. This long period with no food allows stomach acid to build up and make your dog nauseous! If your dog suffers from this condition, you may see vomiting first thing in the morning before breakfast, or sometimes in the  late-afternoon, hours after the last meal. Dogs with bilious vomiting typically do not have any other symptoms of illness, have a good appetite, and are otherwise feeling fine. 

Prolonged vomiting is always something to closely monitor as it could represent the tip of the iceberg to come. If a vomiting dog changes from feeling fine to acting more quiet or even lethargic and also develops additional signs like diarrhea or passing up a meal, this could be an indication that things are worsening instead of improving. These pups need an appointment with their veterinarian for some testing, support, and treatment.

AskVet Tip: If you have the knowledge or suspicion that your dog has ingested a bone, string, toy, ball, sock, corn cob, plants, potentially toxic materials, or has overdosed on medication (hers or someone else’s), please consult with your AskVet Veterinarian immediately so they can triage the severity of the exposure and direct any necessary action. With these ingestions, the sooner treatment is received the better the outcome! 

Repeated Vomiting, With Lethargy

This is the most worrisome group. Dogs who are vomiting and lethargic, not wanting to eat or drink, with or without diarrhea, need urgent veterinary care and support. To narrow down causes and assess the severity of your pup’s condition, the veterinarian will likely run some blood and urine tests, and also may recommend an abdominal x-ray or ultrasound. Some other specialized tests may be warranted too, in order to determine the underlying cause and tailor the treatments. Vomiting with lethargy could be the symptoms of many many issues and health conditions, all needing some testing in order to discriminate between causes. The list below is not exhaustive but includes some of the more common causes of prolonged vomiting with lethargy and decreased appetite…  

-Stomach or intestinal foreign body obstruction (swallowing a bone, toy, sock, string, corn cob, etc that can become stuck in the stomach and/or intestines and cause a blockage)

-Parvovirus (young and unvaccinated dogs)

-Pancreatitis (usually preceded by eating something abnormal)

-Medications (some can cause stomach and intestinal ulceration, alter the bacteria, or cause inflammation and adverse reactions)

-Enteritis/Colitis (inflammation of the intestines and colon)

-GDV/Bloat (stomach filling with air and twisting)

-Kidney and Liver Failure (acute and chronic)

-Heat Stroke, Dehydration (usually preceded by heat exposure, activity)

-Bacterial and Viral infections (intestinal upset)

-Addison’s Disease (Adrenal glands not producing enough hormone)

-Pyometra (uterine infection)

-Cancer (rule out the other stuff first!)

When To Worry 

Dogs do tend to vomit quite a bit! Thankfully it is typically more of a one-and-done situation and does not need any follow-up care. If your pup does have an episode though, keep a close eye on him that day, just in case things progress or you detect other signs. 

The dog that is feeling sick, not eating, and continuing to vomit is very concerning and meets the criteria for seeking veterinary care urgently. Keep in mind too that some dogs are very stoic (Labradors and Boxers specifically) and may discreetly hide their pain, maybe even tricking you with bursts of energy. If you suspect something may be wrong, consulting with your AskVet veterinarian, calling your family veterinarian for an urgent appointment, or seeking emergency care are all appropriate actions. Treatments for vomiting in dogs are based on the cause and level of severity, so once your veterinarian gathers information and narrows down a diagnosis, they will advise the best treatment plan to get your pup feeling better again!

 

Have you ever wanted to perform your own physical exam on your dog? Examining your pup at home can help you discover what is physically normal, in turn making it easier to detect when something may be abnormal. Since dogs don’t communicate with words, we humans need to look for physical signs and changes that give us hints that something may not be quite right.

To prepare for a physical examination, find a quiet part of the day and grab a few treats for positive reinforcement. Many dogs like the attention and treats, but if at any point during the exam they become jittery or irritated, stop the exam before anyone gets upset or injured. Some dogs love their exams and others use their body language to tell you that they do not appreciate it! Your veterinarian can always pick up where you left off, as they are seasoned in the swift and pointed physical exam, especially with tense and stressed dogs. 

The Body Condition Score

Since they are so cute, it is easy to over-feed dogs causing weight gain! Keeping dogs thin for the length of their lives results in better long-term mobility and overall health, so always keep an eye out for weight gain. This handy Body Condition Score (BCS) Chart can show where to look to assess how your pup measures up.

Did you know it is possible to weigh your dog at home? Periodically placing your pooch on your home scale is a great way to keep track of their weight. Keeping your dog in an Ideal Weight Range for the length of their life is very healthy for them (your vet can help with designating an IWR for your pup).

AskVet Tip: To weigh dogs on a home scale, first weigh yourself alone and then again holding your dog; then subtract for their weight. Sometimes large dogs will cooperate and sit nicely directly on the scale too! No luck? Most veterinary hospitals will allow you to bring your big dog in for a weight check on their scale — just call ahead to see when it’s a good time!

Movin’ It! 

How is your dog moving around the house? A healthy dog will be alert and respond when you call them. They will walk or jog freely around the house with long strides and not a care in the world! They will stand up and lay down easily and move around willingly as they please — including jumping on and off furniture (if they’re allowed!). Healthy dogs will generally eat and drink the same amount daily, and their bathroom habits usually follow the same patterns too.

Assessing Breathing and Heart Rate

Don’t have access to a stethoscope? No worries, you can still count respirations and feel for your dog’s pulse and heart rate!

Respiratory Rate

The respiratory rate is best taken while the dog is relaxed and even better if asleep! Grab a timer, set it for 1 minute, and count the number of times you see your resting pup’s chest rise and fall (or count for 30 seconds and multiple by 2!). Typically, dogs will have a resting respiratory rate of less than 30 breaths per minute and their breathing will be passive, smooth, soundless, and easy.

Throughout the day, it is normal to see pups panting while engaging in activities and during warm weather. This is how they release body heat, keep up with the oxygen demand, and regulate their temperature. Typically, they should return to a nice slow breathing rate shortly after concluding an activity and the addition of rest, shade, and water.

Heart Rate

There are a couple of ways to feel your dog’s heart rate. With your dog standing still and relaxed, place your fingers on either side of the lowest 1/3 of the chest, just behind the front legs. Apply gentle pressure with your fingers between the ribs and you likely will feel the heartbeat. Set your timer for 1 minute and count the rhythmic beats. The normal heart rate/pulse for a dog is between 70 and 140 beats per minute. Smaller dogs will have faster heart rates and larger dogs will be on the slower end!

AskVet Tip: Another way to take a heart rate is to feel for the femoral pulse. While your dog is quietly laying down or standing, place your fingers up in the highest point where the groin/inner thigh area meets the body. Gently press against the inner thigh so you feel the large femoral artery pulsing along with the heartbeat, set your timer, and count the beats.

Full Body Massage Time!

This is the part that dogs usually love because it is like a full-body massage! Always monitor their body language though, as they may have sensitive or painful areas. As you go through the massage, always remember that animal bodies are normally symmetrical. If you are not sure if a bulge or area of thinning hair is normal, check the opposite side and see if it looks or feels the same!

Starting at the head, run your fingers down the underside of the jaw and neck, feeling for any swelling or lumps. Next, use your hands to apply light pressure starting up by the ears and slowly running your hands down the back of the neck, over the shoulders, along the back and sides, ending at the tail. The body contours should feel symmetrical, and the coat should be healthy, full, and growing evenly. Gently place pressure on either side of the abdomen, and your dog should remain relaxed as you press on his soft belly (some dogs are sensitive and may tense up, but should not react with pain).

Moving our attention to the legs, large dogs have calluses on their elbows of all shapes and sizes, but they should be fairly symmetrical. Run your hands down each of the legs, feeling for swelling, symmetrical muscle development, lumps, and skin abnormalities. The toenails should be kept trimmed and the skin between the toes and pads should be a uniform healthy color. The presence of dewclaws (extra toes on the front and sometimes back legs) are normal and occasionally the loosy-goosy ones can get hung up and cause issues. Some dogs even have “double-dews,” typically on the hind legs. 

Lastly, don’t forget to check that tail area! For breeds with a cute nubbin or curly tail, be sure to check that those tail skin folds are free of any odor and debris. Also, while you are back there, check the skin and hair around your dog’s rear end. There are 2 little glands lurking just below the skin on either side of the anus, called “anal glands”, that sometimes cause painful issues.

The Private Parts!

For male dogs, the penis should be stored inside the pocket of skin called the prepuce, usually only coming out when they urinate or during some arousing activities (especially for dogs that are not neutered… the penis can swell and get very large!). A small amount of yellowish discharge from the prepuce is normal. The skin on the scrotum should be fairly smooth with a uniform color, and each testicle (if present) being a similar size. For females, the vulvar area should look like folds of regular healthy skin, absent any redness or discharge. The anus area should be a uniform color of pink or pigmented with grey or black.

AskVet Tip: All dogs, male and female, have 2 rows of nipples going down their abdomen (for a total of about 8 usually)! They should be fairly uniform in size and color. Sometimes the mammary glands are large and developed in females that have carried litters of puppies, other times very very small.

Checking Those Big Beautiful Eyes

In a well-lit area, gaze into your pup’s face and check for symmetry of the eyelids, corneas (the clear surface of the eyeball), and pupils (the black circles at the center of the eyes). Both eyes should look similar to each other, with the eyelids wide open, eyeballs facing the same direction, and pupils a symmetrical size. In a dark room, the pupils will be very large, and in bright light, the pupils should be smaller. On the eyeball itself, the cornea (clear part) should be nice and smooth, clear, and shiny like a clean window. Dogs also have an additional eyelid, called the “third eyelid”, or nictitating membrane, that is usually tucked and hidden away in the corner of the eye next to the nose. Wiping the occasional eye crusty can be normal too! Some small breed dogs will have tearing called epiphora. Eye problems can be very painful and endanger vision, so immediate examination is recommended if the eyes appear abnormal.

Say Ahhhh!

Staying in the head region, shift your focus down to the nose and mouth. Starting with the nose, it should look moist, smooth, and symmetrical, and the skin should be a uniform color (usually black or brown). An occasional small amount of clear discharge out of the nostrils is normal, but if you notice any milky yellow, green, or white discharge from the nostrils, schedule a vet visit.

Next, flip up the lips and check the color of the inside of the lips and the gums. All of the surfaces you see should be bubblegum pink and a bit slimy with saliva. Some dogs have black pigment on their gums, which is usually normal if it is flat and does not change in appearance.

To check the “capillary refill time”, find a pink area of the gums and gently press with your thumb to blanch the area to white. Lift your finger and the pink color should return in 1-2 seconds. This is an indication of your dog’s hydration level. If it takes longer than two seconds for the color to come back to your pup’s gums, then contacting your AskVet or family veterinarian is advisable.

And finally, how are those chompers looking? Take a nice sniff near the mouth and check for stinky breath! Teeth problems and gingivitis/periodontal disease (infection of the gums and structures around the tooth) are extremely common issues in dogs. Healthy adult teeth should have nice white crowns, be firmly seated in the jaw bone, and the gum line should be a healthy pink color at the base of each tooth. With a healthy bite, both layers of teeth should fit together like a puzzle.

CAUTION: Not all dogs are fond of the oral exam! If your dog does not appreciate you messing with their mouth, just leave that part to the pros. Do not put your fingers between the upper and lower rows of teeth as you will get bitten! Lifting the lips and looking at the outside of the teeth and gums will suffice for your at-home oral exam.

Can You Hear Me?

Next, shift your attention up towards your pups’ ears, and start by feeling the ear flap itself. Both erect and droopy ear flaps should be nice and thin consisting of skin, fur, and cartilage. Check the underside of the ear flaps and look for smooth skin that is cool to the touch, white or light tan in color, with varying amounts of hair. There should be no smell present in healthy ears. The ear canal itself dives deep into the skull forming an “L” shape and measures 1-2 inches long, so there is quite a lot of ear that you cannot see! The deep end of that ear canal contains a very delicate eardrum that is subject to issues too. Leave examining your pup’s ear canal to the pros — it’s impossible to assess deep into a dog’s ears at home.

Thermometer Time!

Veterinarians will often save the most uncomfortable part of the physical examination for last since the rectal temperature tends to irritate some of our patients! If you wish to take a rectal temperature at home, we highly recommend having a helper to hold your pup still for this procedure as it is often a 2-person job! Using an instant digital thermometer, lubricate the end with some water-based lubricant or a small amount of petroleum jelly. Raise your dog’s tail and gently insert the thermometer about 1-2 inches inside the anus, and then wait for the beep. It is important that the helper watches how your pup feels about this process and discontinue immediately if they are showing signs of grouchiness or aggression! The normal rectal temperature of a dog is 101-102.5°F. Unfortunately, even though it is undesirable, the rectal thermometer is the most accurate way to take a dog’s temperature (skin and ear thermometers are not accurate).

AskVet Tip: Be sure to clean the thermometer after use, and label it “DOG” so that it is not confused with the human thermometers!!!

Practice Makes Easier!

Can you believe your veterinarian is able to size up your dog so quickly as they are chatting with you during an exam? Veterinarians are so well-practiced and efficient with the physical exam, most pet owners don’t even notice that they are busy making important observations while talking with you and gathering information.

With more practice, the physical exam will become easier for you, too! The best way to get good at recognizing normal from abnormal is to repeat this exam periodically so you become familiar with the process and observations. If your dog starts out jittery but tolerant, use lots of treats and positive reinforcement when they stand nicely for you. With practice, your dog will likely become more and more willing to participate in your exam. You know your dog best, and early detection of problems makes them much easier to remedy!

As always, if any questions arise after performing your at-home physical exams, our AskVet veterinarians are available to check your findings as well and provide further information and advice about what you may be seeing. If anything is alarming, following up with your family veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian is always appropriate, too!

 

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

 

Written by: Alexa Waltz

 Congratulations on the new addition to the family in the form of a cuddly fuzzball puppy! Also, kudos for researching what he needs from the get-go to live a long and healthy life! Whether you’re a first-time puppy parent or not, you are willing to do anything to keep your canine companion happy and healthy, from ensuring they’re vaccinated to creating a pet emergency fund. Keeping puppies healthy and ensuring that we, as pet parents, pave the way for a healthy adult life starts when they are very young through puppy care.

Keeping up with a dog vaccination schedule can ensure your dog is staying the healthiest, whether it’s with core puppy vaccinations or non core vaccines. Vaccinating can make deadly diseases preventable diseases. Here’s a breakdown of some dog and puppy vaccines and when they occur on a vaccination schedule for the best pet health possible.  

What Vaccines Do Dogs Need?

Your puppy’s first trip to the vet should occur around 8 weeks of age, or when you first bring them home. This visit will include a full physical examination and also likely involve a discussion on when to start an important part of preventive care: vaccinations. This initial vet visit is followed by a series of additional appointments spaced out by several weeks, until the vaccine series is complete and your pup is ready to face the big wide world!  

For dogs, vaccines have been available for decades to combat some very common life-threatening diseases that affect dogs all around the country and even around the world! Dog vaccines are available to protect against other contagious diseases that are localized to certain geographic areas and which affect dogs with specific lifestyles. Your veterinarian will discuss what vaccines are recommended for your individual precious puppy based. 

For these reasons, vaccines are grouped into “core vaccines” and “non-core vaccines” according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Core vaccines are vaccines recommended for ALL dogs, since the diseases they prevent are ubiquitous in our communities and environment. Non-core vaccines may be recommended by your veterinarian based on which diseases are endemic to your area, and the activities and lifestyle you plan on having with your pup. 

It is important that vaccines are given at a certain time in a puppy’s life, and that the actual vaccine itself is handled and administered correctly, too. It is safest to defer to your family veterinarian for the best advice on what your pup needs and when she needs it! Here’s a list of core dog vaccinations and non core dog vaccinations: 

Core Vaccines for Puppies

Rabies

Since Rabies is a virus that can be transferred from animals to people (aka, “zoonotic”), it is required by law to vaccinate all dogs, cats and ferrets against the disease, and booster as appropriate. Rabies is a deadly virus that is spread by saliva and ultimately affects the central nervous system. The age at which puppies are required to receive the Rabies vaccine is determined by each state, typically being twelve to sixteen weeks of age. Only one vaccine is needed for a puppy to create the appropriate immune response. A Rabies booster vaccination is recommended one year from the date of the first puppy vaccine, and typically every three years through adulthood.

Parvovirus

An infection with Parvovirus (aka “Parvo”) is so common that it tops the list of possible diagnoses for any young puppy with diarrhea and vomiting. Unfortunately, Parvovirus is very stable for long periods of time in the environment (dirt and surfaces of public places where dogs defecate). It spreads from dog to dog in the fecal/oral manner, meaning a dog consumes the virus orally to become infected. Parvo can be fatal and there is no specific cure, but fortunately many dogs do survive with proper hydration and medical treatment to support them through the disease process. Thankfully though, dog vaccination for Parvo is very effective against preventing infection and it is recommended to give puppies the first vaccine around 8 weeks of age. The vaccine is repeated every 2-4 weeks until the puppy has reached 16-18 weeks old, a concept that we will explain in detail later. To maintain healthy immunity through adulthood, Parvo boosters are given one year after the puppy series was completed, and again every three years thereafter.

Distemper Virus

Distemper is another viral disease that is severely debilitating and can be fatal in dogs. Distemper is spread by the secretions of infected dogs subsequently inhaled or ingested by other dogs. The virus will affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system, and even cause some changes in the skin and teeth. Dogs can survive a Distemper infection, but may have some permanent neurologic and physical changes. Fortunately, just like the Parvo vaccine, the Distemper vaccine is highly effective at preventing this disease. The Distemper and Parvo vaccines are usually part of the same “multivalent” vaccine (more on this later), and are given at the same time. Vaccination for distemper starts around 8 weeks of age and is repeated every 2-4 weeks until the pup has reached 16-18 weeks old. Distemper boosters are also given again one year later, and every three years thereafter.

Adenovirus

Protection against Canine Adenovirus 1 and 2 are also included in most vaccines that also protect against Parvo and Distemper. These adenoviruses cause Infectious Canine Hepatitis and Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (aka “kennel cough”). Dogs suffering from adenovirus infection usually are experiencing respiratory symptoms as well as intestinal and liver disease. This vaccine is often also combined in a vaccine vial with Parvo and Distemper vaccines, and therefore given at the same schedule starting around 8 weeks of age and repeated every 2-4 weeks until the pup has reached 16-18 weeks old. Boosters are also given one year later, and again every three years. 

AskVet Tip: Vaccines against multiple infectious agents that are contained in the same injection are called “multivalent” vaccines, and you may be more familiar with the initials designating distemper/parvovirus/adenovirus vaccination–DAPP, Da2PP, and DHPP are common notations for this combination vaccine!

Parainfluenza Virus

This virus is another component that can be responsible for Canine Respiratory Disease Complex, or “kennel cough”. By vaccinating your pup against Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica, he is protected against the most common airborne respiratory infections that infect dogs! The Parainfluenza vaccine is actually considered “non-core” but is usually combined with the Distemper/Parvo/Adenovirus multivalent vaccine, or the Bordetella vaccine, and therefore received on the same schedule.

Non-Core Vaccines for Puppies

Bordetella Bronchiseptica

The Bordetella vaccine is especially recommended for dogs with a packed social calendar, frequenting dog parks and beaches, and especially those that attend daycare and boarding. Bordetella Bronchiseptica is a bacteria that can be another key player in the Canine Respiratory Disease Complex mentioned earlier (“kennel cough”). This vaccine comes in several forms and can be administered orally, intranasally, or injected under the skin. For puppies, it is usually given some time between 6 and 16 weeks of age. The oral and intranasal vaccines only need one single dose, but if the injectable vaccine is given, a second dose is needed 2-4 weeks later. This vaccine is recommended for annual boosters if the risk of exposure continues. In some geographic areas with a high rate of Bordetella in the local dog population, your veterinarian may recommend boosters every six months–depending on your dog’s lifestyle.

Leptospirosis

Vaccination for Leptospirosis, a serious bacterial infection that affects the liver and kidneys, is highly recommended in certain areas of the country, and for dogs who travel. Traditionally, Lepto has been found in rural, wooded areas, and natural water sources, but it has also been found in urban environments (like New York City!) due to wild animal and rodent populations. 

Lepto is spread to dogs through the ingestion of material and water contaminated with urine from an infected animal. The bacteria itself can also penetrate skin cuts and wounds when swimming in contaminated water. Leptospirosis can be spread from an infected dog to humans in the household, so this vaccine is given in dogs who spend time in at-risk areas to protect both the pup AND their people! The Leptospirosis vaccine is given to puppies twice at 2-4 week intervals and boostered annually. It can be combined with the final two Distemper/Parvo vaccines or given by itself as a single vaccine.  

Lyme

Lyme disease is caused by an infection with the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria. Just like in humans, the bacteria enters the bloodstream through a tick bite. Vaccination for Lyme may be recommended in areas where the Blacklegged Tick (aka, “Deer Tick”) is found, as it is only this type of tick that transmits Lyme disease. These regions consist of the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, north-central US, and the Pacific Coast. Lyme can cause a myriad of symptoms in dogs ranging from no signs at all, to a fever and decreased appetite, limping, and even severe kidney disease. Since ticks are so sneaky, monthly tick prevention products, routine tick checks after outdoor playtime, and vaccination are ways to prevent Lyme infection. The Lyme vaccine is given twice at 2-4 week intervals and boostered annually for dogs that are at risk.

Canine Influenza

Canine Influenza viruses are relatively new and outbreaks are becoming more frequent in areas around the United States. The Influenza virus is spread through exposure to sneezing, coughing and the nasal discharge of sick dogs as well as contact with contaminated food and water bowls. Your family veterinarian is familiar with the local prevalence of Canine Flu and can advise on the necessity of the vaccine in your area. Often, dogs that are social, attend daycare and dog shows, or are kenneled at boarding facilities may benefit from this vaccine. The Canine Flu vaccine is given twice at 2-4 week intervals and boostered annually. Puppies as young as 8 weeks of age can start to receive the Influenza vaccine. 

Puppy Series of Vaccines

Veterinarians get this question a lot: why do puppies need so many shots? Hopefully the above explanations clarified why the vaccines themselves are so important, and now to explain the reason they get so many shots again and again when they are sweet little tiny babies!

When a puppy is born and nurses on his Mama, she shares her immunity by passing antibodies in the early colostrum milk. The puppies ingest this antibody-rich colostrum and absorb the immunity through their intestine. These antibodies from Mom will work to temporarily protect them against all the diseases that she carries immunity to! If Mama was vaccinated, healthy, and well-nourished during her pregnancy, her puppies will likely inherit great immunity from her, protecting them during those first few months of life. If Mom was under-nourished, sick, unvaccinated, or the puppies nursed poorly (or not at all!), they will not have this immunity to protect them. It is very difficult to measure the amount of immunity that each pup received from Mom and it can even vary between littermates, so it is impossible to really quantify their level of protection!

Why is this such a big deal? When puppies receive this temporary antibody protection from Mom, unfortunately it does not last forever! Eventually puppies will need to create their own immunity by receiving a vaccine (the preferred and safest route!), or by getting infected with a virus (DANGER!)!

Here’s the kicker, though: the immunity gained from Mom can actually interfere with a vaccine doing its job! The trick is to time the vaccine administration perfectly in time with the decrease in Mom’s antibodies so the puppy’s own immune system will then take on the job of making antibodies that last. However, loss of Mom’s antibodies can take place anytime between a span 6-16 weeks of age! 

So, to bring it all together: in order to catch all puppies’ immune systems when they are ready to create long term immunity – but before they may meet any dangerous infections in their environment – it is best to start vaccinating around 8 weeks of age, and repeating with a vaccine dose every 2-4 weeks thereafter until they are about 16-18 weeks old. This will ensure that the pup’s own strong immunity is stimulated as Mom’s antibodies wane. Once their own immune system takes over and is stimulated by vaccinations, they will be protected from dangerous viruses like Parvo and Distemper.

Adult Dog Booster Vaccines

Since we established that puppies create lots of immunity early on due to the puppy vaccine series, why the need to give boosters? Over time, immunity will decrease, and the ability to mount a strong immune response will decline, creating a potentially dangerous situation should your dog meet one of these diseases in his environment. Some vaccines produce great immunity for years (like the Rabies and Parvo/Distemper vaccines) and some last for only one year. Vaccines are studied for the longevity of their protection, and boosters are timed so that the ideal level of protective immunity is always present, should the dog meet a disease in his environment. Just like people need a tetanus and whooping cough booster every now and again, dogs need a boost too!

AskVet Tip: If you have opened your heart to an adult dog in need of a loving home (thank you, that is wonderful!), defer to your family veterinarian for what vaccines and boosters he may need. Some (most!) adopted dogs may not come with a complete set of vaccine and health records, and it is quite possible they did not receive their vaccines as recommended. Your vet will advise on the important vaccines needed, and second doses needed a few weeks later, and then also when boo

Vaccine Wrap-Up

Hopefully, the importance and reasoning behind all of those vaccines has become a bit more clear! Dog vaccination can be a confusing yet routine and IMPORTANT part of disease prevention. Effective vaccine programs will ensure that puppies and adult dogs alike do not have to suffer from the contagious diseases that they are being protected from, and that is a wonderful thing! 

As always, it’s important to observe any vaccine reactions in dogs to ensure they are treated immediately if any vaccine reactions occur. If you still have concerns, please consult an AskVet veterinarian or your family veterinarian to find a program that works for you and your pup!

Our AskVet Veterinarians are available to discuss all of your pet’s needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

Written by: Alexa Waltz

 Vaccines are an integral aspect of preventive medical care for dogs and cats and have been administered safely and effectively for decades. Vaccines prevent the transmission of Rabies from pets to people and save countless canine lives from highly contagious and fatal infections like Parvovirus and Distemper Virus. Follow this link for more info about which vaccines are recommended for dogs (LINK: Puppy vaccines).

Just like in people, your canine companion may experience some undesirable and unintended side effects, aka “vaccine reactions”, after they have been given a vaccine. Thankfully though, the vast majority of these reactions are very mild and transient. Your favorite pup may only be down for a short period of time after the appointment before perking up to their happy-go-lucky self hours later or the following day. Dogs very rarely experience severe vaccine reactions. The following is a summary of how to tell what may be a mild vaccine reaction versus a more serious situation requiring immediate veterinary treatment.

AskVet Tip: If your dog has collapsed, is having difficulty breathing, or has facial swelling, seek emergency veterinary care IMMEDIATELY—these patients need life-saving treatment as soon as possible!

Common Mild Vaccine Reactions

Discomfort at the Injection Site

Most dog vaccines are administered with a needle poke through the skin, OUCH! Thankfully though, most dogs will have no reaction at all while others may have some sensitivity at the site for 1-2 days. Your pup may feel sore, have a slight limp, or be protective of the area for 24-48 hours after they received the injection due to the local inflammatory reaction that is taking place. A cold compress, rest, and distractions with food or treats usually does the trick if your dog is feeling uncomfortable. Be especially careful when handling your dog near the shoulder or hip regions — these are the most common areas where vaccines are given and likely to be a bit sore. Typically, the day after the appointment most dogs are back to their normal selves and ready to take on the world!

A Lump at the Injection Site

Vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to create long lasting immunity against different viral and bacterial infections. Sometimes that can start with a local inflammatory reaction right at the site where the vaccine was injected. You may feel a small lump, some heat, or swelling in the area where your pup got his shots (usually the hip or shoulder areas). Similar to the discomfort described earlier, this swelling is usually temporary and will decrease after 1-2 days. Occasionally a lump will persist for about a week, but if you are still noticing it two weeks later or longer it is recommended to consult with your veterinarian. If there is any hair loss over the area, scabbing, pus, or fluid oozing, these are more indications that veterinary attention is needed. Skin infections, abscesses, and vasculitis are possible reactions that can take place at the location where the vaccine was given.

Decreased Appetite and Activity Level

Along the same lines as above, vaccines can cause both people and animals to feel a bit cruddy for a period of time following the injection. The activation of the immune system can be accompanied by a fever, fatigue, sore muscles, a decrease in appetite, and an increase in wanting to chill out in their dog bed all day! Sometimes dogs that are ignoring their regular kibble dinner may be enticed to eat a tempting meal of canned food or a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice (LINK: Diarrhea in dogs) during the recovery time. Thankfully, this decrease in energy and appetite is usually temporary and only lasts 1-2 days before they are bouncing around and as energetic and hungry as ever!

Sneezing and Respiratory Symptoms

The Bordetella (“Kennel Cough”) vaccine can be administered as a nasal drop or spray. Occasionally, sneezing, coughing and clear nasal discharge can be seen for a short time following the administration of the intranasal Bordetella Vaccine. Typically this only lasts a few days and the symptoms resolve on their own.

Uncommon Severe Vaccine Reactions

Vaccines are very safe and have been studied in-depth for decades. Occasionally though, a dog may experience a more severe vaccine reaction that requires follow-up care immediately at your vet clinic or even a visit to an emergency hospital if symptoms occur after-hours. The existence of these reactions do not minimize the importance of vaccines, but all dogs should be carefully monitored after vaccinations have been given. Use our guide to familiarize yourself with how to perform a dog physical exam at home and help assess if something may be physically wrong with your dog.

Allergic Reactions – Vomiting and Diarrhea, Hives, Facial Swelling

The vast majority of vaccines will be followed by no or very mild side effects as listed above. In the rare event that the following signs are noted, swift action is recommended.

Signs to watch for indicating a possible emergency situation:

• Facial swelling
• Skin hives and raised welts
• Persistent vomiting and diarrhea
• Breathing difficulty
• Collapse
• Pale gums 
• Weak pulse

If you are noticing the above signs within a short period of time after receiving vaccines, your dog may be having a severe adverse vaccine reaction. Depending on what symptoms your dog is experiencing, your AskVet veterinarian can help you assess the situation too, and determine if medical treatment may be recommended before the reaction worsens. 

Anaphylaxis – Breathing Difficulty, Weakness, Severe Vomiting, Collapse

Anytime an animal comes in contact with a foreign substance (foods, insects, plants, toxins, vaccines, medications, etc), there is a very small chance they may develop a severe and life threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Thankfully, anaphylactic reactions to vaccines are very uncommon in dogs, but it can happen. Typically, dogs will start showing signs of anaphylaxis within minutes of being given a vaccine injection, so careful observation for at least 15 minutes after the vaccine is given is always recommended. If your dog is having difficulty breathing, showing weakness, severe vomiting, has pale gums, or collapses onto the ground it is recommended to seek veterinary care right away or consult an emergency veterinary hospital. If your pup is displaying these concerning symptoms (or you are not sure!) your AskVet veterinarian can also help to triage and discuss the next steps. 

Treatment for Vaccine Reactions

Dogs that are experiencing an allergic reaction severe enough to need veterinary treatment may typically receive an antihistamine (like diphenhydramine), corticosteroids, intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous fluids, and additional treatments depending on the severity of the situation. It is important that this reaction is noted in your dog’s permanent health record. 

Regarding future vaccines, your veterinarian will take into account any past reactions in order to assess the safety of further vaccines. Some vaccine reactions can be avoided by giving a premedication dose of diphenhydramine just before the injections. This antihistamine will help prevent or dampen reactions that have been observed in the past. Drop-off appointments may be recommended for a longer observation period too, in case quick emergency care is needed. 

Consult Your Vet For More On Vaccines

Your veterinarian is the best resource to discuss the local risks for viral and bacterial diseases in your area, and the need for certain types of vaccines. They will recommend a dog vaccination schedule (LINK: Puppy Vaccines) appropriate for your pup based on their age, medical history, and environmental risks. For more information about vaccines in general, how your dog is reacting to their vaccines, and what to expect at an upcoming vaccine appointment, our AskVet veterinarians are ready to answer all of your questions!

Our AskVet Veterinarians are available to discuss all of your pet’s needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

 

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

**If your dog is struggling to breathe, is weak and having difficulty standing, or if his tongue is blue or gray, please seek emergency veterinary care IMMEDIATELY as this may be a life-threatening emergency!**

One of the most common concerns of pet parents is related to their dog’s breathing. At AskVet, we frequently encounter questions such as, “why is my dog breathing heavy?”, “why is my dog panting so much?”, and even “my dog is making funny noises while he’s breathing!”.  

We’ll discuss some of the most common causes of changes in your dog’s breathing below. First, we’ll teach you how to count your dog’s respiratory rate per minute. This is important information to have if there are any concerns about your dog’s breathing. 

What is Your Dog’s Respiratory Rate?

When you take your pup in for a vet visit, you probably notice that the vet tech or doctor takes your dog’s vital signs. One of these vital signs is your dog’s respiratory rate, or breaths per minute. This is an essential step in a dog physical exam checklist.

The most accurate way to assess a dog’s respiratory rate is actually while they are sleeping! (This is impossible at the veterinary clinic for obvious reasons!) This way, any variation in breathing due to activity, level of alertness/excitement, or anxiety is eliminated and you obtain a true evaluation of whether your dog is breathing more quickly than normal. 

To take your dog’s respiratory rate, wait until they are sleeping (or very relaxed). Look at your dog’s ribcage rise and fall. Each rise and fall is counted as ONE breath. Now, use the stopwatch feature on your phone, or the second hand of a clock, to count how many rise-and-fall cycles are completed in sixty seconds—that is your dog’s respiratory rate! (You can also count for thirty seconds and multiply by two.)

Normal sleeping respiratory rates should be below 30 breaths per minute. If your dog is breathing more quickly than this, take a video of their breathing and chat with AskVet so a veterinarian can assess your dog further. Note: some dogs have normal sleeping respiratory rates as low as ten! 

Noisy Breathing

Is your dog making noises like a snorty little piggie when she’s breathing? If your dog has a short face (like most Frenchies, English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers), and has been making noises like this her entire life, then this is likely due to something called “brachycephalic airway syndrome.” These pups are SO CUTE, but as a trade-off to that level of adorableness, we can see significant breathing problems!

Brachycephalic airway syndrome is a very common cause of noisy breathing. So, why does  your smushed-face pup snort and snore all of the time? The answer is simple: since all of the same anatomical structures in long-nosed dogs are compressed into a face that is one-third the length, all of that extra skin and soft tissue will create more turbulence of the air moving in and out of your dog’s mouth, nose, and throat. In some cases, surgery can be done to improve their breathing and open up those airways (and improve their quality of life). Your AskVet veterinarians are happy to discuss this syndrome with you and prepare you for a visit with your family veterinarian to discuss these options! 

However, if your dog has a long nose, or if your dog was always a quiet breather and now is suddenly making snort-type noises, then this can be a cause for immediate concern. Take a close look at your dog’s face. Is she having any milky white, green, or yellow discharge from her nostrils? If so, this may indicate a sinus infection, or a piece of grass stuck in her nose, or (very rarely, thank goodness) a mass in her sinuses. Sometimes dental problems will also cause noisy breathing and nasal discharge, since the roof of the mouth is also the floor of the nasal cavity. Your veterinarian can do a thorough physical exam and discuss what is likely to be going on with your pup, and if any treatments or further testing are needed. 

If your dog is making noise while he breathes and there is NO discharge from his nose, then he could have a mild upper respiratory infection (like kennel cough or allergies). These conditions are usually easily treated, and frequently occur with your dog constantly coughing and noisy breathing. 

Another possibility more often seen in larger-breed dogs is laryngeal paralysis. In this condition, small flaps of cartilage that form the voicebox will sometimes become weaker and droop as they age, preventing air from moving in and out like normal. 

Since increased airway turbulence and noisy breathing can reduce your pup’s ability to cool off when it’s hot outside or when they are exercising, it’s important to keep him quiet, cool, and calm until he can be evaluated by your veterinarian in person.

Breathing Too Fast

If you have noticed your dog breathing more quickly recently, it could be nothing to worry about! As you probably know, dogs release their body heat through panting and breathing quickly. Since they can’t sweat as efficiently as human beings, we can see our dogs breathing more quickly in warm weather (signs of heat stroke in dogs) and after exercise. If, however, you notice your puppy breathing more rapidly and there has been no recent change in temperature or recent exercise, then this may be the first clue that your dog needs your help. 

Heart Disease

If your dog has been diagnosed with a heart problem, any increases in his respiratory rate should be taken seriously. If his sleeping respiratory rate is above 30 breaths per minute (see above), then he should be evaluated by a veterinarian right away—even if that means taking him to an emergency clinic. Research has shown that a sleeping respiratory rate above 30 in a dog with heart disease is highly likely to indicate fluid build-up in the lungs, or congestive heart failure. Please chat in with an AskVet veterinarian to help you determine if an ER trip is necessary.

Lung Problems

As you can imagine, lung problems are another common cause of rapid breathing. Just like people, dogs can develop medical conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, fungal infections, parasitic infections, and (thankfully rarely!) even cancer in the lungs. Heartworm disease is another possible cause of heavy breathing, but monthly heartworm prevention can almost completely eliminate the risk of this disease. 

To look for any of these lung diseases, your veterinarian will likely start by taking radiographs (x-rays) of your dog’s chest to evaluate the heart and lungs. Bloodwork may be recommended as well to check for inflammation and certain types of infectious diseases that can affect the lungs. Sometimes, your veterinarian will recommend seeing a specialist for a look down your dog’s airways using a camera in order to diagnose the problem and collect cells to look at under the microscope. 

Problems Outside of the Lungs

Sometimes, a dog’s heart and lungs are perfectly healthy and they are still experiencing rapid breathing due to a medical problem. For example, your dog’s red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. If your dog doesn’t have enough of these red blood cells (a condition called anemia), her body will try to increase the amount of oxygen available by breathing quickly. 

If you have noticed other changes in your dog such as increased thirst and urination (how much water should my dog drink?), changes in her appetite, or any vomiting or diarrhea, then your pup’s rapid breathing may be related to a hormone problem. For example, diabetes and Cushing’s disease are common culprits of increased breathing! Your veterinarian may want to screen for these conditions by performing bloodwork and testing your dog’s urine.

Anxiety can cause excessive panting in dogs, too. Dogs experiencing signs of separation anxiety in dogs, storm and noise phobias, or who find themselves in a fearful situation will often pant during the event. They will usually return to normal when the event is over, but this can be a sign that your pup may benefit from some environmental or medication intervention.  

In other dogs, rapid breathing can actually indicate that your dog is in pain. We see this most commonly in older dogs who are starting to struggle with arthritis. In these patients, your dog’s veterinarian may prescribe a trial of pain medication to see if that improves her breathing problem. 

The Bottom Line

If you have noticed any changes  in your dog’s breathing—whether it is increased noise, or more rapid breathing—it’s important to have a veterinarian evaluate your canine companion. That way, appropriate treatment can be started as soon as possible and lead to increased comfort and quality of life—for both of you! To better monitor your dog’s health, take the time to read our guide on the dog physical exam checklist. This way you can become familiar with what is normal and what is not. 

Our AskVet veterinary experts are here 24/7 to help you determine how urgent your dog’s breathing problem is, discuss possible causes, and walk you through what testing and treatment your veterinarian may recommend.

Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your AskVet account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

 

Written by:

Allison Ward, DVM

Dr. Allison Ward grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and started working in veterinary hospitals when she was 14 years old. After graduating from veterinary school in 2011, she completed a small animal rotating internship in New Jersey, followed by a neurology/neurosurgery internship in Miami. After completing this advanced training, Dr. Ward then moved on to general small animal practice. Dr. Ward’s professional interests include feline medicine, neurology, and pain management. Her passion for educating pet owners carries over into her work with AskVet, and she loves being able to help pets and their parents at all times of the day (and night!). She currently resides in sunny south Florida with her two cats, Larry and George.

Have you noticed your dog coughing lately? Does it seem to happen at a certain time of day, or did it start suddenly after he came home from a boarding kennel “vacation”?

Coughing is one of the most common reasons for pet owners to seek veterinary care and advice. Before you start wondering, “Is my dog sick,”read on below for a discussion on the most common causes of canine cough!

**If your dog’s tongue is a blue, gray, or white color—or if he is weak, unable to stand, or not alert—then please seek emergency veterinary care IMMEDIATELY. These symptoms can indicate a life-threatening breathing emergency!***

Is My Dog Coughing, Gagging, or Choking?

Of course, we’re all familiar with how it sounds when a person starts coughing—but what does it sound like when your dog has a cough? To many pet owners, it sounds exactly “like there’s something stuck in his throat.”

Rest assured that, unless your dog is turning blue, struggling to get air, or even losing consciousness—it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY that there is something truly stuck back there!

Instead, dogs tend to have a very loud hacking, gagging cough. If they cough several times in a row, they might end the episode by spitting up some clear or white foamy fluid. (This part is called a “terminal retch” and is often mistaken for vomiting.) Spitting up at the end of a coughing episode may look alarming, but it is usually just an indicator of how severe the cough itself is—not necessarily how sick your pooch might be (Phew!).

As long as they go back to breathing normally after a coughing episode (see below for more information), then the problem is a cough—not something stuck. 

Read our guide on “Why is my dog breathing heavy” to learn more!

What Are the Most Common Causes of Dog Coughing?

Kennel Cough

The most common cause of coughing in dogs is called “kennel cough,” which is an umbrella term used to describe all of the bacterial and viral doggie colds that dogs can pass to each other—much like children in school or daycare! This common condition is associated with a dry, hacking cough.

Dogs coughing due to kennel cough are usually known to have been around other dogs in the two weeks prior to their first episode of coughing. This social contact with other dogs can take place at a dog park, doggie daycare, boarding facility, or even at the groomer’s—basically, prolonged exposure to any facility where other dogs are cared for.

If your pooch has been diagnosed with kennel cough, is an adult dog who is otherwise healthy, and has received the Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine, then she will probably have a bad cough for several days to a week but feel pretty good otherwise. Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or a cough suppressant to help her get back to normal as quickly as possible.

Can Kennel Cough Turn Into Pneumonia?

In young puppies and unvaccinated or older dogs, kennel cough is more likely to worsen and start to affect your dog’s lungs. Infection in the lungs is known as pneumonia and is very serious.

Dogs with infection in the lungs will often have yellow, green, or white discharge from their nose, feel tired and lethargic, may have a decreased appetite, and breathe more quickly—even when they are sleeping.

Pneumonia can worsen and require intensive care, including IV fluids, antibiotics, and even oxygen therapy. If you have any concerns that your pup may have pneumonia, it is best to have her evaluated by a veterinarian ASAP.

Fortunately, the vast majority of dogs with kennel cough recover quickly. However, once your dog has recovered, it’s important to keep her away from her canine buddies for at least ten days since she’s probably still contagious to other dogs!

Tracheal Collapse

Another possible cause of canine cough is due to weakness and sagging of the firm cartilage rings that make up your dog’s windpipe. You may have heard the technical term for this condition: tracheal collapse. This condition appears to have at least some genetic basis. It is more common in toy breeds, such as Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pugs, Malteses, and Bichons.

If your dog has a collapsing trachea, she may make the characteristic “goose-honk cough” sound when she gets excited (and air is moving in and out of her windpipe very quickly).

For example, you may notice that she coughs when someone comes home or is at the door or when she sees a friend while on a walk and starts panting excitedly. Sometimes the windpipe can collapse so severely that it causes an emergency—but most of the time, the cough goes away when your little girl calms down and relaxes.

How Is a Tracheal Collapse Diagnosed?

To diagnose tracheal collapse, veterinarians often recommend x-rays of the chest and neck. Because the collapse of your dog’s trachea is temporary (during the cough), we often don’t see it on our x-rays—since it is like taking a photo of a moving object! Instead, your veterinarian is looking for other causes of your dog’s cough.

Conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and enlargement of the heart can be seen on x-rays. A cough can also be one of the symptoms of heart murmur in dogs. If no other cause for your dog’s cough is found, then your dog may be diagnosed with tracheal collapse.

Tracheal collapse is a medical condition that will be present to some degree for the rest of your dog’s life. As your pup ages, the cough may get more frequent over time or cause episodes where your pooch really does have trouble getting enough air. In these cases, your veterinarian may prescribe cough suppressants.

Ask yourself, “Is my dog overweight?” The best way to minimize your dog’s tracheal collapse symptoms is to maintain a lean body weight, which reduces pressure on your dog’s airway.

Less Common Causes of Coughing

Of course, there are PLENTY of other reasons for dogs to cough—we just see these conditions less frequently! Your vet may attribute your dog’s cough to an enlarged heart (with or without heart failure), acid reflux (yes, just like people!), an air-quality issue (like from nearby wildfires), pneumonia, canine influenza, bronchitis, heartworm disease, a fungal infection, cancer (fortunately very rare!), and many, many other possibilities.

Let’s discuss a few of these further.

Heartworm

Mosquitos are responsible for transmitting the heartworm parasite. Larval heartworms enter an animal’s bloodstream, thanks to the bite of a mosquito.

After a few months of traveling through the bloodstream, they reach the heart, beginning to grow and produce larvae once they have matured. They have an average lifespan of seven years and reach a length of one foot after six months. If heartworms mate, they can produce microfilariae, which can prompt a dog’s immune system to attack their own organs.

Heartworm Prevention and Testing

Overall, heartworm prevention is the best option for this condition, and part of this plan might be testing. So how often should they be tested?

• Dogs who have not previously received heartworm prevention measures and are over seven years old should undergo testing.
• Regardless of age, all dogs should be tested annually. Your DVM may recommend an annual injection or monthly medication along with this test.
• Puppies who are under seven months old can begin to receive preventative treatment. They should be tested six months after starting treatment, as well as six months after their first test.
• Dogs who have missed a heartworm treatment should be tested to ensure that they are not infected with the virus.

Heartworm Symptoms

Now that you know what heartworm is and how to prevent it, you might wonder what symptoms to look out for. When your dog first contracts heartworm, it is likely that they will not show signs of infection. As the condition progresses, symptoms will become more apparent.

Here are the four main stages of heartworm:

• Class One: No visible symptoms or a mild type of cough.
• Class Two:Persistent cough and exercise intolerance.
• Class Three: Weakened pulse, increased intolerance for exercise, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing.
• Class Four: Cardiovascular collapse, referred to as caval syndrome, results in fatal organ failure in severe cases.

Canine Influenza

Canine influenzais an airborne respiratory disease caused by an airborne viral infection, but it can be spread through shared objects and environments that have become contaminated as well. Places where large numbers of dogs gather, such as dog parks, are just one example of a respiratory infection breeding ground.

Let’s discuss the most common symptoms you should be aware of:

What Are the Symptoms of Canine Influenza?

The symptoms of canine influenza are similar to those of the human influenza virus. Your dog may experience difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, fever, feelings of lethargy, as well as discharge from the nose and eyes. If you notice your dog exhibiting these symptoms, seek help from your vet.

How Do Vets Treat Canine Influenza?

While this disease has no cure, your vet can advise you on treatment that will support your dog as they recover. It is important to notify your vet prior to your appointment as canine influenza is highly contagious. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics as well as anti-inflammatory medications.

They might also inform you of quarantine procedures to prevent your dog from infecting other dogs and what disinfectant products you can use to disinfect your home.

What Are the Best Ways To Prevent Canine Influenza?

There are vaccines for this virus, but the most effective way to prevent your dog from contracting it is to avoid taking them to public places that have had recently reported cases. If you believe you have come into contact with a dog infected or exposed to it, it’s best to wash your clothes, arms, and hands thoroughly before touching your dog.

Canine Chronic Bronchitis

Canine Chronic Bronchitis is a long-term, incurable condition that may lead to permanent lung damage. T lasts for two months or longer.

It causes inflammation in the lungs, which could result in mucus or phlegm being released into your dog’s respiratory tract. Then, dogs might begin to cough, as it is a natural reflex to attempt to clear the airways from a foreign object.

Let’s discuss symptoms and the steps pet parents can take to manage this health condition.

Canine Chronic Bronchitis Treatment

This condition can permanently change your dog’s airway structure from prolonged inflammation due to the release of mucus. It is crucial to control airway inflammation by modifying your dog’s environment and using medications to slow further damage to the lungs and airways.

As long as you are monitoring the symptoms, your dog’s quality of life will not be drastically impacted. However, an early diagnosis can result in a better prognosis. Although bronchitis itself is not life-threatening, severe damage to lung tissue may lead to bronchiectasis; a condition that could make your dog receptive to recurrent pneumonia.

This is why having your veterinarian perform a physical exam is SO important if your dog comes down with a cough—they can narrow down this long list of possibilities. Your family can discuss whether x-rays, bloodwork, or other testing is recommended to figure out the reason for your pup’s cough.

Is My Dog’s Cough An Emergency?

To help assess whether your coughing dog is truly an emergency or if your pet is stable enough to wait for an available appointment with your family vet, chat with one of our AskVet veterinarians!

AskVet Tip: A brief video (twenty seconds or less) of your dog’s breathing and coughing can be especially helpful for these chats.

As always, your AskVet veterinarians are ready to field all of your questions about coughing in dogs and offer some recommendations for steps to take in their care. Getting your pup back to feeling their best is our top priority!

 

Sources:

Dog Coughing: Causes and Treatment Options | American Kennel Club

Heartworm Disease | American Veterinary Medical Association

Dog Flu: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention for Canine Influenza | American Kennel Club

Heartworms In Dogs – Symptoms and Treatments | The Drake Center for Veterinary Care

Canine Chronic Bronchitis: An Update | NCBI

Written by: Alexa Waltz

 Do you have a creaky joint or two that makes you think twice about making certain movements? Perhaps an old injury that prevents you from playing sports or freely climbing stairs? Believe it or not, you and your dog may have joint pain in common! Dogs are frequently affected by arthritis, especially as our best buddies get old! Just like us, they may start to slow down, move stiffly, and avoid some previously-loved activities.

To diagnose arthritis in dogs, your veterinarian will take into account what you see happening at home, run through some exam points and evaluate your pup’s joint movements, and order x-rays to check for common arthritic joint changes — possibly concluding with a diagnosis of arthritis. So, now that your precious pooch has been diagnosed with arthritis, what can be done?

As a review, there are several causes of arthritis in dogs but they all ultimately result in that smooth gliding joint surface becoming roughened, unstable, inflamed, and damaged. Arthritic joints also lose flexibility due to the inflammation, cartilage wear, and bony changes that happen with this disease. Why do our pups walk stiffly and hesitate to do certain movements when they have arthritis? The answer is simple: because it hurts!  

Unfortunately, once joint damage and long-term inflammation have set in, these changes are permanent and will likely continue to progress as time passes, resulting in more and more discomfort and limitation as your dog ages. Arthritis cannot be cured, but instead, we focus on management of the pain and slowing the progression of further degeneration. Maximizing your dog’s comfort and longevity are the goals of any arthritis management program! 

If your pup has already been diagnosed with arthritis, or if you merely suspect that she is an arthritis sufferer, here are the most common approaches that your veterinarian may recommend for addressing your dog’s issue. Keep in mind that your vet’s goals are twofold: SLOWING the progression of arthritic changes in your dog’s joints, and MANAGING her discomfort. By focusing on these two objectives, you and your veterinarian work together to provide your dog the highest quality of life for as long as possible! Often, vets will combine available options together to create a multifaceted treatment plan for your canine companion.

Weight Management and Nutrition

If your dog has been struggling with her weight, it’s time to really focus on losing those extra pounds! Hungry, overweight dogs can be considered quite cute, but unfortunately the extra pounds exert lots of unnecessary stress on joints. Obesity often contributes to the development and worsening of arthritis. Keeping dogs within their ideal weight range and maintaining a healthy body condition for the length of their lives can decrease the development of canine arthritis. If your dog happens to be chubby at the time the diagnosis of arthritis is made, losing weight can also help manage the discomfort and slow down arthritis progression, too!

When determining what to do if your dog is overweight, your vet may recommend a weight loss plan using a lower calorie diet and discuss a low-impact exercise regimen that will work for your dog’s current physical ability and condition. Also, remember that extra treats may be adding to the pounds too, so do your best to limit those! Lower calorie treats can help keep weight loss fun, too.

Also, check with your AskVet veterinarian that you are feeding an appropriate diet for your dog’s age and condition. Senior dogs (8+ years for large breed, and 10+ small breed) often benefit from a diet designed specifically to manage common age-related changes, like arthritis!

Anti-inflammatories and Pain Medication

One of the first medications that your arthritic dog may receive is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (“NSAID”). You may recognize these names for common NSAIDS prescribed for dogs by veterinarians: Carprofen/Rimadyl, Metacam/Meloxicam, Galliprant, Deramaxx, Previcox, Onsior, etc. Depending on your dog’s pain level, these medications may be given on an as-needed basis just for the flare-ups or on especially active days (like trips to the dog park). They may also be given every day on a regular schedule if your pup’s arthritis is advanced enough to cause daily mobility struggles. These medications work to decrease both your dog’s  pain as well as target the inflammation in the joint itself. If you are helping your dog lose weight, these medications can also aid in making them comfortable for longer sessions of exercise and calorie-burning. 

These NSAIDS can be very helpful and improve your pup’s quality of life for an extended period of time! The benefits of this class of drugs are twofold: they slow down joint damage by reducing inflammation, and provide pain relief for your dog. With long-term usage, your veterinarian may want to perform blood testing every 6-12 months to be sure the kidney and liver are happy and functioning well while metabolizing this medication.

AskVet Tip: Pet parents often ask if human over-the-counter NSAIDS, and anti-inflammatories are safe and effective in dogs … and unfortunately the answer is NO! Human medications like Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Naproxen, etc should not be used in dogs and can cause severe gastrointestinal and kidney disease. Unfortunately, human over-the-counter medication is neither safe nor effective for dogs. If given, these drugs can also greatly affect the treatments your vet can use … so stay away from human medications and seek a vet exam first if you feel your pup needs treatment!

Other medications, such as amantadine and gabapentin, may also be prescribed if chronic nerve pain is contributing to your pup’sarthritis discomfort. Gabapentin and amantadine can safely be given alongside an NSAID. Mild sedation from these medications may be noted in your dog, so be on the lookout and report any noticeable negative changes and unwanted side effects to your vet. These medications do NOT act to slow the progression of arthritis, but they help your dog move more freely by controlling their pain and discomfort.

AskVet Tip: When your dog is prescribed any medication, do your best to follow the directions for use on the drug label, store the bottle in a safe place high from curious-counter-surfing dogs and their 2 and 4-legged siblings, and do not share medications between dogs in the home. It is also important to check with your veterinarian before giving multiple medications at the same time to be sure the combination is safe. Combining some medications can cause severe health problems (for example an NSAID and steroid, like prednisone, given together can cause severe stomach and intestinal ulcerations, and mixing 2 different NSAIDS simultaneously can cause intestinal and kidney damage).

Joint Supplements and Nutraceuticals

To complement your dog’s prescription medication and to address the pain and inflammation that accompanies arthritis from as many angles as possible, your veterinarian will likely recommend starting a joint supplement or nutraceutical too!

AskVet Tip: What is a “nutraceutical” you ask? Nutraceuticals include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and extracts that are considered to have health benefits. They are not reviewed or approved by the FDA, but some research has shown certain ingredients to be helpful in supporting damaged and arthritic joints. These supplements may help support the existing joint cartilage by slowing the breakdown of joint tissue, providing the basic components for rebuilding healthy cells, and preventing joint degradation. They can also provide some anti-inflammatory effects of their own, too. Your veterinarian will likely have their favorite joint support supplement products to recommend, that have likely been tested for efficacy, nutritional content, absorption, and bioavailability by an independent lab.

Some animals will show great benefit from nutraceuticals and others may not exhibit much of a change, but it is worth a try! Some of these supplements are oral, like Glucosamine Chondroitin, and some are formulated to be injected into the muscle, like Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycans (“Adequan”). Also, dietary supplements of omega-3 fatty acids (“fish oil”) are recommended as they can help reduce joint inflammation too.

In our quest for discovery of better treatments for arthritis, ongoing research is always in process. Products like green-lipped mussel supplements, MSM, vitamin-E, and CBD are still under investigation as to their efficacy and safety for animals.

AskVet Tip: While a pet owner may be tempted to use their own joint 

supplements for their older dogs, consult your veterinarian first! The optimal ratios of 

glucosamine to chondroitin, and of certain fatty acid chain lengths, is DIFFERENT in dogs 

than for people–so before you reach into your own medicine cabinet, ask your veterinarian about dog-specific supplements.

Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation and Acupuncture

In addition to medications and supplements, your vet may recommend physical therapy and other treatment modalities to preserve your dog’s muscle mass and the range of motion of those precious joints. These approaches can help keep our arthritic sore dogs more comfortable, and sometimes result in regaining some strength and mobility, too! 

Low-impact exercise like swimming and physical therapy with an underwater treadmill can provide some gentle resistance to help strengthen muscles, lose weight, and increase joint motion. Balance and range of motion exercises can help support stretching, flexibility, and increase muscle strength too. Some veterinarians are certified in rehabilitation, and so check this resource to find locations for rehab centers near you http://www.rehabvets.org/!

Acupuncture is another treatment option that some pets will greatly benefit from. Acupuncture consists of inserting tiny needles at specific points on the body that may result in a physiologic response to decrease muscle spasms, soothe pain, and increase circulation. Not all veterinarians are trained in acupuncture, as it is a special certification process. Your vet likely knows of a local colleague who provides acupuncture consultations if you would like to try that route. 

In addition, some veterinarians offer other therapeutic modalities to help their patients with arthritis such ase therapeutic laser (providing pain relief and stimulating tissue growth and remodeling), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (“TENS”, stimulate nerves), and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (improve healing, decrease pain). Ongoing research and development for these types of treatments are always in process.

At home, there is always the tried-and-true cryotherapy (cold compress) and thermotherapy (warm compress) option, too! Placing a cold compress over a painful area for 15 minutes is meant to decrease inflammation after acute injury or flare-up, and will decrease blood flow as well as temporarily numb pain. Using a warm compress can help to reduce muscle spasms, increase blood flow and also provide a soothing sensation.

Surgery

Surgery can be considered both as a means of preventing certain types of arthritis and a “treatment”! On the prevention side, immediately addressing certain injuries and joint conditions with surgery can create a more stable joint, minimizing the damaging inflammation that could result in arthritis if the joint is left unstable for a long period of time. Injuries like a cranial cruciate ligament rupture, meniscus tear, medial luxating patella, and some types of joint fractures should be surgically stabilized in the short-term for better long-term results. How do you know if your pup has these? Injuries involving joints as well as persistent limping with no improvement should be evaluated by your veterinarian. They will determine if surgery is recommended in order to fend off the development of arthritis. 

Some dogs will be born with badly shaped and malformed joints, like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Another condition called “osteochondritis dessicans” may result in early cartilage damage in some dogs, especially rapidly growing large breed puppies. Some of these conditions have surgical treatment options as well, with the goals of helping the joint to become a healthier shape while the bones are still forming, and giving the joint cartilage the best chance at normalcy.

In the “treatment” realm,surgery may also be recommended in severe cases of arthritis as a salvage procedure for dogs that are good candidates. For example, in dogs with chronic pain from hip dysplasia and the severe arthritis that can follow, a “Femoral Head and Neck Osteotomy” (FHO) will trim off the ball of the hip joint and just allow the hip muscles to operate the leg movement and support the body, resulting in better mobility and less pain! Some patients are also good candidates for a full hip replacement surgery, although the cost can be limiting for many pet parents. Joint fusions for certain severely arthritic joints (the carpus/wrist, and tarsus/ankle) can also relieve some pain.

Depending on your dog’s condition and response to their treatment plan, your veterinarian can discuss the possibility of surgery having any benefit in the management of arthritis progression, and pain. 

Environmental Modifications

There are some adaptations to try at home to make the space you share with your arthritic pup more accessible and comfortable. Since impact and movement can often exacerbate the arthritis pain and lead to more joint degeneration, limiting some of the high-impact activities like jumping and climbing are recommended. Your dog also may have experienced some muscle atrophy and weakness associated with arthritis too; all things to consider when looking to adapt their environment and make it more arthritis-friendly.

Here are a few more helpful suggestions to support your arthritic pup:

–   Supply a ramp for walking in and out of the car and a set of padded doggy stairs to get up and down from furniture

–   Add more throw rugs over slippery floors for a non-skid floor surface

–   Invest in some dog booties, paw pad applicators, or anti-slip toe grips to help provide better floor grip and more stable standing

– Supply amply-sized soft bedding for your pup to sleep on in their favorite areas of the house

–   Limit movement between levels of the home (and rooms if necessary) with baby gates so your dog is not tempted to faithfully bound up the stairs after you

–   Unfortunately, joint braces do not help as well in dogs like they do people, but consult your vet should they recommend an option for your pup

–   Any dog that can walk should, but doggie strollers and wagons can help some severely limited dogs to get that much-needed mental stimulation outside of the house! Be sure to let them get out of the stroller routinely and cruise around to sniff. Keeping their brain healthy is just as important!

–   And of course, be compliant with recommendations for exercise and weight loss and adjust food, activity, and play

Prevention

Is it possible to help a dog avoid the pain and limitations of arthritis altogether? Yes! If you are puppy-shopping and looking into a specific breed that may commonly fall victim to arthritis (Labs, Goldens, German Shepherds, etc), search for a breeder responsibly testing breeding pairs and looking to improve the health of the breed! When it comes to feeding your new puppy, be sure to feed an appropriate and high-quality nutrition formulated specifically for growth. Work on maintaining an optimal body condition through proper diet and exercise for the length of your dog’s life. Consult with your vet for the use of nutraceuticals and supplements as a protective measure in some breeds that are predisposed to joint issues, or if your pup has been diagnosed with hip or elbow dysplasia, or cartilage issues as a youngster. Sometimes though, even with all of these safeguards, as they grow older the signs of arthritis may still creep in but perhaps to a lesser and more manageable degree.

Comfort is the Goal

Arthritis can severely limit your dog’s comfort and happiness, and unfortunately cannot be reversed once it is present. Using a multimodal approach that combines various elements of the above options will result in reaching a steady plane of comfort for the longest time possible! Every dog will respond differently, so each case will be treated individually. Recheck appointments and yearly vet exams are valuable too, as your pup’s needs may change periodically as arthritis progresses or even shows improvement! Patience and compliance at home are key to helping support your best buddy in keeping them as comfortable as possible for the length of their lives!

Our AskVet Veterinarians are available to discuss all of your pet’s needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

 

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

 

Written by: ​​Alexa Waltz

 Have you noticed your best buddy walking stiffly, moving slower when rising out of bed, or hesitating to run and jump lately? They could be feeling the effects of canine arthritis, a very common problem causing discomfort and joint pain in dogs.

What Exactly ARE Joints, Anyways?

In order to understand why and how arthritis is a problem in your pet, it’s necessary to first understand how their body works! Joints act like hinges, linking together rigid bones and the corresponding muscles, which allows dogs to move around at will. When your pup tears across the yard after a squirrel, leaps off the couch, and even plops down to curl up for a nap, you can credit their healthy joints for his flexibility and ability to absorb all of those physical forces. There are several types of joints in a dog’s body, but we will focus on the main type of joint that is most often affected by arthritis. As a dog ages, the synovial joints in the hips, knees, elbows, and shoulders are the most common culprits for mobility issues due to arthritis pain. The vertebrae of the spine can be affected by arthritis and aging related changes too, but that is a subject for a different day! 

In a healthy animal (humans included!) a synovial joint contains the smooth, slimy, “padded” surface between 2 or more bones. Each joint has similar components: the hard bones, soft cartilage, pocket of joint (“synovial”) fluid, and supporting structures such as ligaments and a meniscus. In order for your dog to move freely and without pain, every structure inside the joint needs to be healthy, shaped correctly, and located in the right place. 

In health, your dog’s joints contain a lubricated and smooth sliding surface, which acts as a shock absorber, and also to maintain proper alignment allowing your dog the freedom of pain-free movement! These qualities are essential for stable and balanced joint function. Healthy joints ensure the best long-term, pain-free movement for your dog.

What is Arthritis? 

Arthritis is also referred to interchangeably as “osteoarthritis (OA)” and “degenerative joint disease (DJD)”. These terms mean that one or more joints are inflamed and that the normal structures that make up that joint are no longer healthy.

If a joint is abnormally shaped or if it becomes damaged, then it will become unstable. Damage can happen due to a traumatic injury or can be due to degeneration of the joint itself over time. The instability eventually leads to inflammation and abnormal wear of surfaces within the joint, setting the stage for arthritis.  

Once a joint becomes inflamed, then what happens? Your dog’s body is incredible at trying to heal itself, and microscopic changes begin to take place in a vain attempt to restabilize the joint. Blood vessels deliver inflammatory cells to try to wage war on the cause of the instability and start the repair process. Unfortunately, these cells only serve to continue the vicious cycle of inflammation and destruction! Because these inflammatory cells can’t “win” (like they could against, say, a bacterial infection), they keep coming and keep causing more damage.

In the beginning, the damage may be microscopic and involve thinning of the cartilage, depositing blood cells and inflammatory cells in the joint fluid itself, and thickening the lining that provides essential shock absorption. (This structure is called the “joint capsule”–you can think of it like a water balloon between two hard bones!) When the lining of the joint capsule becomes thickened, this contributes to further irritation when your dog is bending and extending the affected joint. This changes the way the surfaces of the joint come in contact with each other, causing further wear and tear.

Eventually, these abnormal forces within the joint cause the nice soft spongy cartilage to wear away, increasing contact between the hard bony surfaces of the joint. Sometimes, pieces of cartilage can even break off! The body will further attempt to try to stabilize the joint by depositing new boney material to form a type of scar tissue. Unfortunately, this attempt is misguided and causes MORE problems–since this changes the joint shape even further, causing more inflammation, more erosion of normal tissue, and more pain. Once a joint is damaged, you can see how the resulting inflammation can cause permanent, progressive, and irreversible changes over time. 

When a joint suffers a traumatic injury, it is essential to identify the nature of the injury and assess if urgent treatment may help to minimize these inflammatory changes as much as possible. Sometimes, that treatment includes timely surgery and rehabilitation. By treating joint injuries promptly, stability of the joint is restored which can minimize and even prevent some damaging long-term changes. 

When arthritis is already setting in and we do not have a treatable traumatic injury,   veterinarians focus on managing the arthritis pain and slowing the progression in order to maximize comfort and mobility for your dog. Check this link for more about common treatments of arthritis in dogs. (LINK: Dog Arthritis treatments).

Predisposing Factors of Arthritis in Dogs

Although any dog can be affected by arthritis, the common “poster child” is a large breed older dog who is slowing down due to hip stiffness and pain (Goldens, Labs, Shepherds, etc, that are 8+ years old). Why are these large breed dogs so commonly affected by arthritis? What might cause a smaller dog to get arthritis? 

An arthritic dog tends to fall into one of two general groups: those who were born with their issue, and those that acquired their issue through their life. Let’s go through both scenarios:

Congenital Causes that can Lead to Arthritis

Genetic and developmental issues are among the predisposing factors for arthritis that we have little to no control over. Dogs will inherit conformation (body structural/shape) and skeletal (bone/joint) issues from their parents.  Some of the most common heritable issues that can lead to arthritis over time are as follows:

-Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia – abnormal formation of the hip and elbow joints

-Osteochondrosis – Abnormal bone/cartilage development

-Luxating Patella – Abnormally shaped femurs (thigh bones) which cause the kneecaps to slip in and out of place

-Bone and joint conformation – Abnormalities in the shapes of a dog’s bones which result in abnormal forces being placed on the joints         

AskVet Tip: Some dog breeds are predisposed to congenital and developmental conditions due to the inheritance of traits from their parents. A goal of responsible and selective breeding of purebred dogs is to improve the genetics and physical traits that are passed down to further generations. Genetic testing, X-rays, and blood testing are among some of the ways of avoiding the perpetuation of undesirable health issues. If you are considering breeding your dog, we recommend a detailed discussion with your veterinarian and screening your pup for any congenital issues that may put their offspring at risk of a painful life due to arthritis! 

Acquired Causes of Arthritis

Even if a dog was born with stable balanced joints and has strong genetics, there are some aspects of their lifestyle, daily activity, body condition, and environment that can increase their risk of developing arthritis: 

-Obesity – Excess body weight can cause abnormal forces to be put on the joints 

-Joint Injuries – Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in the knee, bacterial joint infections, trauma, immune-mediated and inflammatory conditions, bone fractures, etc

-Joint surgery – Any past surgeries involving the joints can disrupt the healthy surface and structures

-Diet – Lacking appropriately balanced nutrients for healthy growth, especially during puppyhood, can affect the makeup of bones and cartilage

-Strenuous exercise and joint usage – Repetitive high impact movements of performance, working, and sporting dogs

Common Dog Arthritis Symptoms  

Dogs are very good at compensating and hiding their discomfort when arthritis is in its early stages. Typically, when dogs are no longer able to cope with the pain, pet parents will start to see some of the signs hinting at arthritis. We primarily see arthritis affecting middle-aged to older dogs, although some younger dogs can also be affected. Here are some of the more common symptoms of arthritis in dogs:

-Moving more slowly

-Hesitant to run and jump

-Slow to lay down or get up from bed

-Limping, or “bunny hopping”

-Swelling or thickened joints

-Muscle atrophy

-Difficulty standing on slippery surfaces

-Limited ability to flex or extend joints

-Less playful, reluctant to be active

-Grumpy behavior, sensitive to certain areas of their body being touched

-Depression and unusual behavior

-Postural changes, arched back

-Licking joints

-Pacing at night

-Inability to get comfortable

-Sleeping more than normal

-Weakness in hind legs (fall over, legs give out, difficulty posturing to urinate and defecate)

-Excessive panting

What to do Next?

If your pup’s movement and behavior match some of the above descriptors, it may be time to take her to the vet for an orthopedic exam! Your vet will watch your pup move around the room prior to conducting a full physical exam. During the exam, your veterinarian will be keeping a close eye on your dog’s reactions, looking for areas that are painful or sensitive. They will also assess your dog for decreased muscle mass, thickening and swelling of joint capsules, a crunchy sensation when the joints are flexed, and decreased overall flexibility. Also, a series of special flexion techniques can help determine the presence of certain conditions like a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Your veterinarian’s orthopedic exam may be followed by x-rays to view the health of the bones and look for any obvious visual changes within the joint. Sometimes veterinarians will also recommend blood and urine testing to check the health of the internal organs as well, especially if surgery or daily and long-term pain medication is under consideration.

Your vet will then use all this information to discuss any therapies and a plan for your pup’s condition. Again, since arthritis changes cannot be reversed, management going forward mostly focuses on keeping the pain at the lowest level possible, supporting the current health of the joint structures, and preventing further inflammation and deterioration. Keeping your pup mobile and comfortable for as long as possible is the goal of arthritis management!   

Our AskVet team is ready and waiting 24/7 to discuss your dog’s mobility issues, address any questions about arthritis causes, and share general info regarding treatment options. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

The urge to drink is so innate and natural that we don’t even think about it! Without us even knowing, our bodies are constantly checking, regulating, measuring, adjusting, secreting, and maintaining themselves at a very precise hydration level to maximize the function of our internal organs. These intricate processes adapt to our different levels of activity, climate, and body temperature to keep us healthy–and the same internal mechanisms are present in your dog! 

Although dogs and humans do have many differences, their instinct to drink and the processes that regulate the fluids in their bodies are very similar to our own. Water is the most abundant molecule in the body, constituting about 70% of a mammal’s body weight. And boy, is water important! From maintaining the dog’s body temperature and blood volume to facilitating the delivery of oxygen to organs, removing toxins, transporting hormones, vitamins, and minerals around the body, lubricating joints, supporting digestion, and driving all cellular functions, water is essential for your dog’s health.  

How Does A Dog Know to Take A Drink?

Due to the precise needs of each cell in your dog’s body, his fluid levels and electrolyte composition are maintained within a very narrow range. This occurs without your dog even being aware of these complex, instantaneous internal adjustments. Recognizing the sensation of thirst in order to replenish fluid loss is a crucial instinct for animals to stay alive. Dehydration in dogs will set in after only a couple days without water before vital organ functions are disrupted from the imbalances that occur. 

When specialized cells in the brain or kidneys sense that a fluid or electrolyte imbalance is present, these organs swing into action. Hormones are released,  flowing through the bloodstream to receptors on specialized cells that ultimately will adjust the volume of urine the animal is producing, increase their blood volume, and maintain their blood pressure. The thirst center in the brain also sends a loud and clear signal to the animal to DRINK to replenish the fluid volume. The brain, kidneys, and adrenal glands are the key players that communicate with each other to ensure that the body’s fluid balance is optimal for all organs to carry out their functions, each vital to health and survival.

How Much Water Should A Dog Drink Daily?

The average dog having an average day needs about ½ – 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily to maintain their hydration at a healthy level. An even more simplified way to think about it: dogs need to drink about 1 cup of water per 10 pounds of body weight per day (give or take a little bit!). 

Do you need to measure your dog’s daily water intake on a regular basis? Not necessarily! As long as your pup is acting healthy, energetic, eating normally, pooping regularly, and most importantly, urinating several times throughout the day, they are likely keeping themselves sufficiently hydrated, just as nature intended. Offering a clean source of water (tap is fine, as long as it is clean!), in a clean bowl (washed with soap daily!), located in an area that they have free and comfortable access to 24/7 will ensure that your dog will happily maintain their hydration level appropriately. 

Veterinarians do not recommend restricting water intake in any circumstance, and changes or difficulties with water intake, urination, vomiting, or diarrhea should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately.

Why Would A Dog Be Drinking MORE Water?

Normal Situations Causing Increased Thirst

There are normal situations where drinking more water is to be expected from your dog. For example, after an extended play session with your pup, it’s natural for him to fill up on water once he’s ready for a break. Similarly, when temperatures outside are warmer, your dog will be panting more in order to keep his cool. This increased panting leads to water loss through evaporation from your dog’s tongue, and requires more water to replace it! If your pup prefers to eat dry kibble meals to the canned or moist varieties, they must get water from another source–namely, their water bowl. 

If you have a dog who is pregnant or nursing, she may experience excessive thirst and drink more water than usual –after all, she has to drink for two (or four…or nine…or twelve!!). Once they’re born, growing puppies also tend to drink more water than adult dogs. As a pet parent, just be sure that your dogs have access to a clean source of drinking water at all times and monitor their overall attitude and behavior for changes at all ages.

AskVet Tip: How do you know if a dog is drinking more or less water? Measure their daily intake over a 24-hour period! With a clean bowl, fill with a specific measured volume of water, and keep track of how much is added to that bowl during the day (eliminate any alternate sources of water, toilets included), and subtract the remainder at the end of the measurement period. Report the total volume consumed over a 24-hour period to your veterinarian. Observations of the frequency of urine breaks can be helpful too! This does require that the pet in question be separated from all other pets and monitored for that period to achieve accurate numbers.

Medical Causes of Increased Thirst

Now that we’ve discussed normal and healthy reasons for dogs to drink more water, let’s move on to when drinking more water is the sign of a medical issue. Sometimes when a dog is drinking more water than they normally do, the more obvious change and the first thing the pet owner actually notices is that their dog is urinating more than usual … If you see changes in urination happening, turn your attention to the water bowl too, and you may find yourself filling it more often due to increased consumption (resulting in that increased urination!)! 

From the previous discussion, you already know about the tightly regulated system that animal bodies rely upon in order to maintain fluid volume and blood pressure. You can imagine that if just one of these pieces of the puzzle falters, the whole organized system might fail too! Here is a brief list of medical conditions that can cause the excessive thirst and urination that you might be seeing. 

Common Medical Causes of Increased Thirst:

–Dehydration – Often due to vomiting and diarrhea

-Bladder Disease – Infections, stones, cancer

–Acute and Chronic Kidney disease – Due to toxins, infections, cancer, dehydration,  inflammation, age

-Hormonal Diseases- Hypoadrenocorticism, Diabetes Mellitus, Hyperthyroidism

-Fever/Infection – Often due to pyometra (uterine infection)

-Medication Side Effects – Prednisone, diuretics like furosemide (“Lasix”), and anticonvulsant seizure medications like phenobarbital 

-Problems with the brain (uncommon) – Diabetes insipidus, psychogenic water drinking, brain or pituitary tumors, brain damage, etc.

Why Would A Dog Be Drinking LESS Water?

There are some easy explanations for when dogs drink less water from the bowl, so run through these possible causes before automatically assuming the worst! An otherwise happy and energetic pup who is drinking less but urinating normally might be eating a canned or home-cooked diet that contains more moisture than dry kibble. Naturally, this will cause a dog to feel less thirsty since they’re getting so much water supplied through their food. 

Check your dog’s water bowl and make sure it is clean! Dogs like nice fresh and cool drinking water, just like us. Dogs who are accustomed to a specific water source that is changed to another may find the taste unappetizing at first. If you’ve moved to a new neighborhood recently, the mineral content in your water supply may have changed, affecting the way it tastes to your dog.  Bottled or filtered water is not necessary for dogs unless the tap water source is not clean or if your dog refuses to drink the tap water. 

It may sound silly, but sometimes the dog’s water bowl itself matters, too! Occasionally, the location of the bowl or the sound that your dog’s collar makes clinking on the rim of the bowl deters them from sipping. You can do a trial of bowl locations and materials to identify your dog’s personal preference. Also, be on the lookout for alternative water sources your dog may be utilizing to hydrate instead of their bowl (outside, hoses, puddles, and even toilets!). 

If you have multiple dogs, sometimes one may be a victim of a housemate who engages in “resource guarding” by preventing another dog from getting to the bowl as often as desired. If your dog seems to be healthy otherwise, but you would like them to expand their time at the water bowl, experiment with different bowls, multiple locations, and be sure the water source is clean too. 

Some medical conditions can also cause a dog to drink less water, and as a result, become dehydrated and urinate less too. Typically, these dogs are not feeling good or showing other signs of illness as well. If your dog is sick, experiencing nausea and vomiting, or having some gastrointestinal difficulties, the pain that they are feeling may deter them from wanting to put anything in their stomach–water included.

Nausea from kidney disease, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal inflammation, and bacterial and viral infections can ALL cause your dog to drink less water. Pain from an oral issue, tooth pain, or dental disease can also cause dogs to not want to drink due to tooth sensitivity. And much less commonly but worth mentioning, brain diseases and rabies will also cause a dog to drink less, too (along with other notable symptoms of course).

If Your Dog Needs to See the Veterinarian…

If you are worried that your dog is drinking more water than usual without an obvious cause, or if your dog is vomiting and acting sick, he should be evaluated in person by a veterinarian. A physical examination can provide clues as to why your dog’s drinking habits have changed.  In some cases, a visit to the emergency room may be in order. Having a pet savings account to help cover costs in these scenarios can allow you to feel confident in seeking medical treatment.

Because there are so many possible causes of changes in your dog’s drinking habits, your veterinarian is likely to recommend some basic screening tests to find out why your dog is sick. 

These tests typically include blood and urine testing, as well as radiographs (x-rays) to look for bladder stones and changes in the size of internal organs. Your family veterinarian can investigate the cause of these symptoms and most importantly,  start appropriate treatment as soon as possible to get your favorite pooch back to his normal self.

Monitoring and Maintaining Good Hydration

Keeping that water bowl clean and a fresh water source available all day every day is vital for the health of dogs. Having a general idea of your dog’s average water consumption and urination habits will help you gauge those times when he might be a little off, and help with the early detection of medical conditions should your dog start to behave abnormally. Water habits and hydration levels give veterinarians big clues as to where to look for the root cause of any health issues, as well as how to guide treatments. Identifying and treating medical problems before they have a chance to cause permanent damage can be lifesaving!

Our AskVet Veterinarians are available to discuss all of your pet’s needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need, such as tips on dehydration or heat stroke in dogs, or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required! We can point you in the direction of dehydration or dog heat stroke treatment.

 

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM
Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!