Dog dander causes allergic asthma in humans, meaning there’s no such thing as asthma attacks in dogs, right? Wrong. It might be hard to believe, but asthma doesn’t just affect the people around dogs, it can also affect the dogs, too!

Allergic bronchitis, one form of asthma, is an inflammation of the bronchi (air passages) within the lungs. It’s usually caused by an allergic reaction that in turn can cause the lungs to fill with mucous and become constricted. As it does in humans, this can greatly affect the dog’s breathing. It causes symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, violent coughing, sluggishness, and even loss of appetite. If left untreated, it can even kill.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, take your dog to the vet for a check-up and a chest x-ray. Coughing and wheezing can also be indicative of pneumonia or other respiratory ailments so a chest x-ray can help rule out other possibilities.

If your dog is diagnosed with asthma, you should begin treatment immediately. Your dog’s veterinarian will likely prescribe a medication regimen consisting of steroids, antihistamines, bronchodilators, or even a combination of the three. Unfortunately, many of these traditional medications can have unwanted side-effects. Fortunately, AllergicPet.com has a safe, natural remedy for your pet’s asthma symptoms called Fresh Aire Lung Formula. This product is both a lung-clearing and lung-strengthening formula that works for both asthmatic dogs and cats.

Canine asthma can be tough to deal with initially, but it doesn’t have to ruin your dog’s life. With the help of your veterinarian, both the cause of and possible treatments for your pet’s asthma can be determined. However, unless you can find the underlying cause of your dog’s asthma, a complete cure is unlikely. But, with the help of medication and treatments like our Fresh Aire Lung Formula, most dogs can continue to lead an active life.

Read this article from the Allergic Pet Knowledge Base for more information on asthma attacks in dogs.