Coughing, Fever, and Fast Breathing: Recognising Pneumonia in Dogs

In this guide

Pneumonia, inflammation and infection of the lungs, can develop on its own or as a complication of another respiratory illness such as kennel cough or canine influenza. It is one of the more serious respiratory conditions dog owners should be able to recognise quickly.

What causes it

• Bacterial infection, often secondary to a viral respiratory illness
• Aspiration pneumonia, where food, water, or vomit is accidentally inhaled into the lungs, more common in dogs with swallowing problems, brachycephalic breeds, or after vomiting under sedation
• Fungal pneumonia, less common but seen in specific environments
• Complications from untreated kennel cough or canine influenza

Symptoms

• Persistent, often moist sounding cough
• Fast or laboured breathing, sometimes with visible effort from the chest and belly
• Fever and lethargy
• Reduced appetite
• Nasal discharge, sometimes thick or discoloured
• In severe cases, bluish gums from poor oxygenation

Diagnosis and treatment

A vet will typically listen to the chest for abnormal lung sounds, take a chest X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and assess severity, and may run bloodwork to check for infection and organ function. Treatment usually involves antibiotics for bacterial cases, supportive care such as fluids and oxygen for more severe cases, and rest. Dogs with significant breathing difficulty may need hospitalisation.

Because pneumonia can progress quickly, especially in puppies, seniors, or dogs with existing heart or lung conditions, any dog with laboured breathing alongside a cough and fever should be seen the same day rather than monitored at home.

Common Questions

Q: How long does recovery from pneumonia take? A: Mild cases often improve within one to two weeks with rest and treatment. Severe cases needing hospitalisation can take considerably longer.

Q: Can pneumonia come back after recovery? A: Yes, particularly if an underlying risk factor, such as aspiration risk in a brachycephalic breed, is not addressed alongside the initial treatment.

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