Asthma is a respiratory condition that can affect humans, dogs, cats, and many other animals. The condition known as Asthma is characterized by episodes called "“asthma attacks". During an asthma attack, a dog will experience difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and can also be susceptible to other dangerous symptoms that may require immediate veterinary attention. Asthma is commonly seen in humans experiencing respiratory difficulties, though is much less common in dogs.
Asthma is not a contagious condition, and there is currently no medical evidence that suggests that asthma may be transmitted through any means. Asthma is characterized as a symptom of an allergic reaction, and is not relative to contact with another asthma-infected animal.
However, it is possible for a dog to begin to be affected by asthma when their immune system has been weakened (possibly from another medical condition). This would reduce a dog's body's abilities to deal with airborne irritants, and may induce an asthmatic condition.
In most cases, the condition known as asthma is not fatal to a dog. However, it is possible for a dog to have a severe asthma attack, in which they may experience severe respiratory distress. In this case, a dog may experience extreme difficulty breathing, and sometimes complete contraction of the airway muscles. If this occurs, a dog may lose consciousness, and it is essential to seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
There is no 100% effective measure to prevent asthma from affecting your dog. However, there are some steps you may take to greatly reduce the chances of asthma attacks in your dog. Since obesity has been positively linked to asthma, it is very important for you to help your dog to maintain a healthy weight at all times. Another good preventive measure is to try to limit the number of airborne allergens in your home. This can be accomplished by purchasing a high-quality air filtration system.
Fortunately, there are many different treatment methods currently available for helping a dog to cope with asthma. Most of these treatment options are relatively effective, though some anti-asthma medications may have uncomfortable side-effects. Current medical technology has provided many veterinarians with safe, effective treatment methods that may be used to treat asthma in dogs.