How do you know if your chihuahuas has asma, what ...

Canine asthma can be very scary and serious. Your beloved dog is not going to be able to tell you that he feels it coming on, and once the symptoms start he will most likely be a bit panicked. Understanding canine asthma and the ways that it is treated will help you and your puppy prevent attacks when possible and know what to do if one strikes.

1. Significance
2. While asthma is not a common canine disorder, there are dogs who develop it. Asthma in a dog causes the air passages to become blocked and filled with mucous, and that in turn makes the air passages begin to swell and go into spasms. Because the lungs are filled with fluid at the time of the attack it is very difficult for air to enter them, which can create a potentially life-threatening scenario for the dog.
   Canine asthma can be caused by many things, but the two most common factors according to the American Kennel Association are heredity and allergies.
3. Symptoms
4. According to the Veterinarian School at the University of Ohio, canine asthma attacks last between a few seconds to 30 minutes. Symptoms include the dog acting fearful and anxious as well as gasping for air as he tries to get air into the lungs. A chronic inflammation of the lungs can cause asthma to flare, making every day a potential asthma attack day for the dog in question. Once an attack has begun, an audible wheezing sound may be heard when the dog attempts to breathe. However, wheezing is not always heard without medical equipment.
5. Diagnosis
6. Canine asthma is diagnosed through a series of elements. The veterinarian will first ask the dog owner for a history describing the attacks, when and where they happen, what the dog was doing when it began and how long the attack lasted. An examination of the dog will be conducted to rule out other disorders or diseases. The examination will most likely include an x-ray of the animal's chest.
7. Treatment
8. Once a diagnosis of canine asthma is given, treatment targets both prevention of attacks as well as what to do during an attack. Many veterinarians recommend keeping the dog away from high humidity situations as well as being careful not to let the dog become chilled when the dog has a respiratory illness such as bronchitis or a cold.
   Many veterinarians also prescribe asthma-prevention medication, including steroids that are given on a regular basis to maintain open airways. Antihistamines may be prescribed to prevent mucous buildup and to alleviate allergy symptoms.
   If an inhaler is prescribed, the veterinarian will provide a demonstration on how to administer it to the dog.
   If the attacks are deemed to be severe, the veterinarian may provide instructions in the use of an epi pen so that during an attack it can be administered. This is the same medication that is used on humans for severe allergies to bees, peanuts and other common triggers.
9. Misconceptions
10. There is a common misconception that some dog breeds, including chihuahuas, "take on" the asthma of their owners and cure the owner while giving the asthma to themselves. Research has shown this to be false. However, chihuahuas and other small breeds are prone to having issues with their trachea that can be mistaken for asthma.
    Understanding the signs of canine asthma and getting a medical diagnosis is the first step to prevention and knowing what to do when an attack does happen.