Dog Pleurisy

Dog Pleurisy

After pneumonia, when bacteria may have worked through the pleura or coating of the lungs, there may be infection across the chest cavity to the pleura on the rib side. In such cases, the two surfaces may adhere to each other in spots when healing is completed. While the inflammation is present, exceedingly painful pleurisy can result. Areas of the chest cavity may become filled with fluid, which the veterinarian may have to tap and draw off. There may be areas of fluid that prevent heart and lung sounds from passing clearly. When these areas are tapped with the fingers, a dull thud is heard instead of a hollow, healthy resonance. In “dry” pleurisy a sharp, sandpapery, grating sound is produced with every inspiration and expiration. Treat-met for pleurisy is the same as for pneumonia.

Dog Pleurisy Information

• Certain lung infections may lead to damage to the lung tissues. Since these tissues fail to regenerate any further they are replaced by fibrous scar tissues. The scarred tissues generally are not able to perform proper lung functions.
• The infection caused due to the intrusion by the bacteria of the kennel cough, complex forms of micro-organisms, small pollutants triggering heavy coughing, and ultimately severe inflammation of the bronchi.
• While diagnosing the disease the dog’s medical history and other clinical signs are keenly examined. Hardly any specific diagnostic test is done to detect the disease other than those conducted to diagnose infectious cough-related ailments.
• A cough becomes quite chronic if your dog continues to suffer from this disease for a long time. Chronic bronchitis is also known as obstructive pulmonary disease which in short is also known as COPD.
• The dogs that mainly suffer from COPD are generally either middle-aged or older aged dogs. The reason behind the development of such disease is unknown but the presence of pollutants or allergens is usually held responsible for the incidence of the disease.
• Almost all dog breeds can become the victim of the disease but studies have shown that dogs belonging to the breed Highland White terriers are known to develop allergic conditions.
• Continued coughing is one of the common symptoms of the disease. The dog would be experiencing dry sounding cough with a gagging sound. The coughing becomes more frequent at night and during the cold season. The dog also gives out foamy saliva which is often mistaken as vomit.

In dogs suffering from pleurisy apart from the above-mentioned symptoms the dog shows no other symptoms and appears to be normal. Being a responsible dog owner you are required to be highly careful regarding symptoms of pleurisy. You have to keep a keen watch on your dear pet dog and a regular medical check-up. To diagnose the disease X rays are taken. The bronchi of the affected dogs grow thick. The occurrence of emphysema or rupturing of the air sacks in the lungs is also an indication of the prevalence of the disease.

See more: Dog Round Worms