Pulmonary Edema in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment

Pulmonary edema is a serious disorder that triggers a sudden and sudden respiratory attack in dogs. If the animal is not caught in time, it may lose its life. In reality, pulmonary edema is not a disease, but a symptom of a disorder that may or may not be of cardiac origin. Indeed, in the majority of cases, it is due to heart failure, but other factors can be the cause. In the slightest doubt, it is imperative to immediately consult the veterinarian, because the survival of the animal depends on it. Find out what causes pulmonary edema, what are the symptoms and how to treat it.

What is pulmonary edema (or acute pulmonary oedema) in dogs?

Pulmonary edema is formed by the presence of fluid in the animal's pulmonary alveoli. This liquid, coming from the small blood vessels that are the capillaries, accumulates in the lungs until it slows down the air supply and hinders the natural gas exchanges necessary for the proper functioning of the body. The body of the animal is therefore reduced in oxygen, which leads to significant and sudden respiratory distress.

Pulmonary edema is an absolute emergency, because without proper treatment, the dog can die. Unfortunately, it is usually sudden and brutal. Nevertheless, its management must be immediate for the survival of the animal which then suffers from an intense respiratory crisis.

What are the causes of pulmonary edema?

Pulmonary edema can have several origins that are classified into two main categories: cardiogenic pulmonary edema, of cardiac origin, and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, of non-cardiac origin.

What are the symptoms of pulmonary edema in dogs?

Pulmonary edema is easily recognizable, because the affected animal's respiratory crisis is sudden and impressive.

The observable symptoms are:

If you notice one or more of these symptoms or if you have the slightest doubt, go immediately to your veterinarian or to the practitioner closest to you, as this is a life-threatening emergency. If the dog is not taken care of in time, it can die.

Also be vigilant about certain signs such as fatigue, difficulty during exercise or even coughing, as these symptoms, which may seem harmless, can mask heart failure. The earlier the animal is taken care of, the less the risk of complications – and therefore of pulmonary edema – is increased.

How to treat pulmonary edema in dogs?

At the slightest symptom, immediately consult your veterinarian or the one closest to you. Don't let a simple cough pass, it's not normal. This may be the first stage of edema, so don't wait until it's a life-threatening emergency to act. Your dog's life is at stake!

Your pet will be hospitalized immediately and placed on high-flow oxygen to help it breathe better. The practitioner will also administer a suitable treatment to reduce the pain, facilitate his breathing and evacuate the liquid accumulated in his lungs. This treatment is usually administered by drug infusion and consists of diuretics or corticosteroids.

The practitioner can then perform tests to establish the cause of the pulmonary edema. This may be a chest X-ray or an ultrasound.

Subsequently, once your dog is out of care, it is essential to continue with a suitable diet recommended by the veterinarian, but also with long-term treatment. Without it, your dog could trigger a new seizure at any time. This of course applies to dogs with heart failure; if the origin is non-cardiogenic, other solutions may possibly be proposed.

Also, overweight dogs need to shed a few pounds, as being overweight increases the risk of heart problems and the formation of pulmonary edema. Ask your veterinarian for advice on setting up the right diet for your dog's needs.