What is Aspiration Pneumonia?
Aspiration pneumonia is a condition in which the lungs become inflamed due to inhalation, or aspiration, of a foreign substance. This usually occurs after a dog vomits and inhales a portion of the regurgitated material, and it happens more commonly in young puppies. Preventing aspiration pneumonia is easier than treating it, but if notice your dog having difficulty breathing soon after vomiting, contact a veterinarian right away.
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when a dog inhales a foreign substance, leading to a bacterial infection in the respiratory tract. The severity and sharpness of aspiration pneumonia depends on the extent of the inflammation, as well as on any underlying conditions that may have caused the vomiting. Aspiration pneumonia can be life-threatening, especially if it is severe enough to restrict the flow of oxygen.Aspiration Pneumonia Average Cost
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Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
The signs of aspiration pneumonia include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Tachypnea, or rapid breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Wheezing or coughing
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Causes of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
In the majority of cases, pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when a dog inhales fluid or other materials into the respiratory tract, leading to inflammation in the airways. Though a dog may inhale foreign material when vomiting, the act of vomiting itself does not directly lead to aspiration pneumonia. The condition only occurs when regurgitated materials are inhaled, which may be made more likely by a variety of reasons, including:
- Disease, such as laryngeal paralysis or inflammation of the esophagus
- Deformity, such as a cleft palate
- General anesthesia
- Presence of a feeding tube
Aspiration pneumonia is easier to prevent than to treat. Most veterinarians will recommend that a dog fasts prior to surgery to minimize the risk of regurgitation during anesthesia. When administrating oral medication, make sure that the medicine is given only at the speed that your dog can swallow to prevent inhalation into the respiratory tract. Young puppies, as well as dogs that are fed with a feeding tube, are at higher risk of developing the condition.
Diagnosis of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
When you bring your dog to the veterinarian, be prepared to provide information about your dog’s signs and recent activity. The veterinarian will need a complete history in order to better diagnosis your dog’s condition. If your dog has vomited or regurgitated recently, let the veterinarian know, as many of the clinical signs associated with aspiration pneumonia are nonspecific. Knowing that your dog may have inhaled a foreign substance will help determine the necessity of a chest radiograph.
The veterinarian may perform several tests, including a physical examination and blood work, as part of the initial visit. This may help eliminate the possibility of other conditions, though aspiration pneumonia itself is typically diagnosed with thoracic radiography. A chest X-ray can confirm the presence of inflammation in the lungs. If your dog is stable enough, fluid can be taken from the lungs with a tracheal wash or endotracheal lavage, which will identify the bacteria present in the respiratory tract.
Treatment of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
Treatment for aspiration pneumonia contains several components, the majority of which are focused more on support than on addressing the condition itself. Antibiotics will be administered to fight any bacterial infection present, with broad spectrum medication given in cases where a culture could not be obtained. Depending on your dog’s condition, the veterinarian may recommend different treatment, with potential components including:
- Fluid therapy - Proper hydration keeps the airway moist and encourages coughing, which helps remove pus and mucus from the respiratory tract.
- Oxygen - In more severe cases, oxygen therapy may be needed to ensure that your dog is receiving enough air.
In some cases, your dog will need to be hospitalized until he is stable enough to transition to homecare. If there is an underlying cause for the aspiration pneumonia, such as a cleft palate or a tumor, that condition will also need to be addressed in order to prevent a reoccurrence of pneumonia. The prognosis for aspiration pneumonia is generally good but varies depending on the cause of the vomiting.
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Recovery of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
Once your dog has been released from the hospital, you will need to keep him quiet and calm during the recovery period. Be sure to outfit an area for your dog to rest comfortably, and make sure he has access to fresh water. You will need to monitor your dog’s cough, as well as watch for any changes in other clinical signs.
Depending on the extent of the pneumonia, you may need to bring your dog back to the veterinarian for a follow-up exam. The veterinarian may wish to conduct another chest radiograph to ensure that the inflammation is resolving and that your dog is recovering properly. If the vomiting was caused by an underlying condition, you might need to address the cause so that the aspiration pneumonia does not recur.
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Cost of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs
Each case of aspiration pneumonia is different as each can have a different cause. If there are any underlying causes of the vomiting (i.e. cleft palate, tumor etc.) then the cause would be treated as well. The veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics in order to treat the aspiration pneumonia if infection presents itself. Antibiotics can cost anywhere between $50 and $150. Fluid therapy may be administered if your dog is severely dehydrated from the vomiting. Your dog may also need oxygen support which can cost $120 to $140. The veterinarian may need to hospitalize your dog for observation and to ensure your dog is progressing. If your dog is hospitalized, the total cost of the above treatment options can run between $500 and $2000. However, without knowing the cause, it is difficult to know the complete total cost.
Aspiration Pneumonia Average Cost
From 114 quotes ranging from $300 - $6,000
Average Cost
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Top
Aspiration Pneumonia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Daschund
Buckeye
8 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Drooling
Hi!
So my 8 year old dachshund has been through a lot the last week. On Memorial Day he woke up puking non stop took him to the vet they hospitalized him for 24 hours diagnosed him with pancreatitis but said they didn’t know if it was secondary or primary. He seemed to be doing better Tuesday night and all day Wednesday. Well I get off work and my husband said he puked a lot again, he cleaned it up and within 15 minuets from him leaving and me getting home he puked everywhere again. Wasn’t interested in food or water.. my husband took him to the vet they gave him for fluid and another prescription. Well he was okay when I left for work he was just laying around which was to be expected because he has pancreatitis. I got a call Thursday night that my dog was drooling an un Godly amount, he flooded our bathroom. My husband took him to the vet where they did an ultrasound and x ray seen something blocking his small intestine. They did surgery which was a success, but before surgery he regurgitated and after they extubated him he aspirated. He was put on oxygen and was monitored. Once the pain meds wore off and anesthesia he came too. Still on oxygen he was in the hospital from Friday morning at 2am where they did surgery until 600pm Saturday he was off oxygen all Saturday and Friday night. They let him go home with us, he is on 5 different medications. Tramadol, gabapenten for pain something for nausea and 2 antibiotics. Well since he’s feeling better he’s noticing his pain medicine and all medicine in his food.. he will dig around and not eat his food, we tried bread, peanut butter, crushing his medicine up nothing. I stuck them in his mouth held it shut but he spits them out or will cough them up.. He also drools a lot when he doesn’t Take these wiTh food which I can see why because the coding in them. My question is I Gave them to him a little after 9, he drooled a lot and I mean a lot. Just a little bit ago it’s like he Regurgitated his drool, I’m worried he aspirated it. I just woke him up to find him with a lot of drool. I was able to get him up he walk in kitchen drank his waTer walked back. He doesn’t seem to have a increase HR or rapid breathing actually looks better than Before.. how soon would signs show if he aspirated?
June 5, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
It is unlikely that Buckeye aspirated from the drooling around his medication, as he is fully able to swallow. I'm sorry that he is having such a hard time! You may be able to call your veterinarian at this point and see if he still needs to be on all of his medications, since he seems to be improving - they may be able to make your life easier if some of them can be discontinued.
June 5, 2018
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Chihuahua
Survivor
23 Days
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Green Mucus In Eyes, And Wet Sniffling
Green Mucus In Eyes
Hi, I have a 23 day old blue Merle Chihuahua, male, who has had reoccurring constipation, he has developed conjuvitis, with green mucus coming out of both eyes, and I just fed him and he had some milk come out of his eyes and keeps whining. I don't know what to do? Please help!
June 1, 2018
0 Recommendations
There is no question that you need to visit a Veterinarian as soon as possible; without examining Survivor I cannot start to determine a cause. However, a palate defect may explain some or all of these symptoms; your Veterinarian will examine inside the oral cavity to look for any defects and will prescribe the appropriate treatment or may recommend surgery. There is nothing over the counter which will help with this. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 1, 2018
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Border Collie
Maia
14 Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Fever
Lethargy
Coughing
Breathing Difficulty
Loss Of Appetite
Hello,
My 14 month old Border Collie bitch was the healthiest little dog ever, very active, smart and energetic. She was spayed on the 4th of May and was recovering well at home until Tuesday the 8th when she has lost her appetite and her temperature has spiked to 40*C. After a visit to the vet she was sent home with metacam and some antibiotics. She went for a check up the next day and was admitted for supportive fluid care as her temperature went up to 41*C. She was released back home after 24h with different antibiotics but was vomiting all night. She was then admitted back into in patient care for 5 nights. She had a abdominal ultrasound and x rays, the only thing which was found was some changes in her lungs. She was released home again on Friday the 25th of May with a new type of antibiotic. She was recovering fine, went back to being her crazy self and had a great appetite until Tuesday the 22nd. She is now back to 40.6*C temperature, no appetite and much worse caught and added heavy breathing (her breathing was ok up to now). My vet practice (which is an Animal Hospital and is meant to be the best one in the area) is currently unable to tell me what is actually wrong with the dog and therefore the treatment isn't exactly working. We are so worried as she was the healthiest, happiest pup and now is in a quite serious situation with no answers.
May 24, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I'm sorry that that is happening to Maia. Without seeing her, I cannot add anything to what your veterinarian is already doing, other that to say that a trans tracheal wash may help to identify the source of the problem in her lungs, if that is where the problem seems to be centered. I hope that she is okay.
May 24, 2018
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Shihpoo
Toby
10 Days
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Weakness
Coughing
Uncomfortable
Thirsty
Our 10 year old shihpoo has been sick for 5 days now, he was vomiting constantly for 2 days every time he drank water. He was hospitalized 2 days ago for 24 hours and they diagnosed him with megaesophagus, and because of the vomiting, he caught aspiration pneumonia. He was able to breathe by himself and so the hospital allowed us to take him home. He is having trouble walking and his front paws give out often. We were told to feed/drink in an upright position because of the megaesophagus, but even when doing this he is still regurgitating the water back up. He is very uncomfortable always trying to walk around and move but then he falls. He is extremely lethargic and coughs most of the day. We were told to take him in a steamy room and do coupage to help loosen the fluid, but this seems to drain him. He is on 3 different antibiotics which we can get in him with a pill pocket, but isn't interested in food, and wants water, but regurgitates it when he has it. Do you have any advice to help us?
April 16, 2018
0 Recommendations
Five days is still early in treatment and it will take time to find the best way to feed Toby and find what works; feeding and placing water on stairs is normally good since it puts everything in a downward position but Bailey Chairs are the best. Food and drink should be given in small portions and bowls which slow down eating and drinking should be used since fast eating may exacerbate the condition. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 17, 2018
Dr. Turner: Why didn't you ask if the dog had been tested for MG?
The "falling down" symptom sounds like acquired Myasthenia Gravis, which Megaesophagus can occur with. Aspiration Pneumonia can occur with Megaesophagus.
April 29, 2018
Colleen
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Aspiration Pneumonia Average Cost
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Average Cost
$600
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