While fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) is most commonly associated with pneumonia in dogs, fluid can build up in the lungs as a result of several other conditions. Today, we explain more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for fluid in the lungs in dogs.
What is pulmonary edema?
Pulmonary edema is characterized by a buildup of fluid in the dog's lungs that may be due to a variety of underlying health conditions, exposure to toxins, or due to trauma.
Pulmonary edema occurs if the tiny clusters of air sacs within the lungs (alveoli) fill with fluid instead of air. Depending on the cause of your pet's pulmonary edema, the fluid can build up in the dog's lungs slowly over some time or very rapidly.
What are the causes of pulmonary edema in dogs?
There are two distinct groups of causes of pulmonary edema in dogs: cardiogenic pulmonary edema and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema
Cardiogenic pulmonary edema means that your dog is experiencing a heart condition that is leading to a buildup of fluid in the lungs. Issues linked to cardiogenic pulmonary edema include:
- Thickening of heart walls
- Incorrectly functioning heart valve
- High sodium diet
- Enlarged heart
Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema
There is a range of conditions that can lead to noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs, such as:
- Hypoproteinemia (insufficient protein in the dog's blood)
- Obstruction of the airway
- Secondary diseases such as cancer
- Smoke inhalation
- Electrocution
- Near drowning
- Toxins including snake venom
- Pneumonia
- Anemia
- Heartworm
What are the symptoms of pulmonary edema in dogs?
The symptoms of pulmonary edema will vary based upon the underlying cause of the condition. However, the most common symptoms in dogs include:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Crackling noises when taking a breath
- Open-mouth breathing
- Wheezing
- Weakness
- A blue tongue or lips
- Collapse
- Distended jugular vein
- Rapid breathing
If your dog is showing any of the symptoms listed above, contact a vet immediately to book an appointment. In cases where your dog's lips have begun to turn blue, emergency veterinary care is required. Visit a vet as soon as possible for urgent care.
How is pulmonary edema in dogs diagnosed?
If fluid can be heard in your dog's lungs, your vet's focus will be on identifying the underlying cause. Initially, your veterinarian will look for obvious signs of electrocution such as burns around the dog's mouth (e.g. from biting an electrical cord), and check your dog's airway for blockages.
In many cases, thoracic radiographs (chest X-rays) will be done. X-rays will show the extent of the fluid in your pet's lungs as well as help detect any foreign bodies that may be causing an obstruction and show signs of an enlarged heart in cases of cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
In some circumstances, tests performed on the fluid within your dog's lungs can help to determine high or low protein levels. High levels of protein point to noncardiogenic causes of fluid buildup, whereas low levels of the protein indicate cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
How is cardiogenic pulmonary edema treated in dogs?
If your pet has fluid in their lungs stemming from heart disease, diuretics will typically be prescribed to help remove the fluid along with oxygen therapy and rest. That said, due to the chronic nature of heart disease pulmonary edema may be a recurring issue.
Pet parents should watch their dog carefully for early signs of fluid in the lungs so that treatment can begin early before the condition becomes more severe. A low-sodium diet along with medications to address the heart condition may be recommended for your dog as a long-term treatment.
How is noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs treated?
When it comes to treating noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs, the treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of your dog's condition.
If a blockage has been detected your vet will attempt to remove the blockage while your dog is sedated, although in many cases surgery is required.
Antibiotics, intravenous fluids and colloids, diuretics, and anti-inflammatories are all common treatments for dogs suffering from noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Your vet will recommend the best treatment for your dog, and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your pet's condition as they recover.
Veterinary Internal Medicine
Veterinarians are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the immune, cardiovascular, pulmonary, urinary, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems. If your dog has been diagnosed with pulmonary edema speak to your vet about options to provide your dog with advanced diagnoses and treatment in internal medicine.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.