What are the symptoms of tracheobronchitis in dogs?

Tracheobronchitis is a common respiratory disease in dogs. It is like a "little devil" lurking in the dark, quietly harming the health of dogs. Only by understanding its symptoms can we detect abnormalities at the first time and protect the health of dogs.

In the early stage of the disease, the cough of dogs is often the easiest signal to be caught by the owner. This cough is unique and recognizable, with a sharp sound, as if something is stuck in the throat, and sometimes accompanied by a "clicking" sound, as if trying to cough out foreign objects. Especially after exercise, when excited or stimulated by cold air, the cough will be more frequent and severe. The dog that used to be able to play happily after running in the park now stops after running for a while and coughs violently. The coughs are like small hammers, knocking on the owner's heart, making people feel distressed and anxious. ​

As the disease progresses, the dog's breathing state will also change significantly. Breathing becomes rapid and heavy. Even when resting quietly, you can see the dog's abdomen rising and falling rapidly, and the nostrils flaring obviously. The originally steady breathing rhythm is disrupted, like an old machine, making a "wheezing" wheezing sound. In severe cases, the dog may even have difficulty breathing. When standing, the head and neck are straight, the mouth is open, and it keeps panting hard. The eyes are full of helplessness and pain, as if every breath has exhausted the whole body's strength. Seeing such a scene, the owner's heart is about to be pulled up. ​

In addition to respiratory symptoms, the dog's mental state and appetite will also be greatly affected. The little guy who was once full of enthusiasm for toys and jumped up and down when he saw snacks has become listless, lying in the nest all day, and has no interest in everything around him. Whether the owner calls its name or takes out its favorite toy, it is difficult to arouse its enthusiasm. The appetite has also dropped significantly. The delicious dog food that can usually be eaten quickly is now just symbolically sniffed and turned to the side. Even if it is forced to eat a few bites, it seems very reluctant. Over time, the dog's body will gradually become thinner, and the originally round body will become thinner. The hair will also lose its former luster, no longer smooth and bright, but rough and messy, as if it has lost the luster of life. ​

Some dogs will also have runny nose symptoms when suffering from tracheobronchitis. In the early stage, the snot is usually clear water-like, not much, and only occasionally flows out of the nostrils, which is easy to be ignored by the owner. But as the disease worsens, the snot will become thicker, and the color will change from transparent to yellow or even yellow-green, and it will also emit an unpleasant odor. Sometimes, the snot will adhere to the dog's nostrils and form a hard scab, affecting the dog's breathing and sense of smell, making the dog very uncomfortable, and constantly scratching the nose with its paws to try to relieve the discomfort.

In addition, careful owners may also find that the dog's body temperature rises. Under normal circumstances, the dog's body temperature is between 38℃ and 39℃, and when it is sick, the body temperature may rise to 39.5℃ or even higher, and the dog's foot pads and belly will feel obviously hot. Fever will make dogs more listless, curled up in the corner and shivering, and their eyes become blurred, as if they have lost consciousness due to the pain. ​

Dogs cannot speak, they cannot express their pain in words, and can only send signals of physical discomfort to their owners through these symptoms. As owners, we must always pay attention to the dog's every move. When we find that the dog has the above symptoms, we must take them to the pet hospital for professional examination and treatment in time. Because behind every subtle symptom, there may be unbearable pain for the dog. Only timely intervention can let our fur children get rid of the torture of illness as soon as possible, restore their former liveliness and health, and continue to accompany us through those beautiful times.