My dog had pneumonia. Can hot weather cause respiratory illness?

Thank you for submitting your question. I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Megan. Based on her description I wonder if she developed pneumonia secondary to her initial cold. It is rare, but any upper respiratory tract infection can spread to the chest and become pneumonia. This is usually accompanied by a high fever and difficulty breathing. It can be very difficult to treat. I am sorry that following the veterinarian's recommendations did not help her. This sometimes happens and is heartbreaking to doctors as well. Again, I am sorry for your loss.

Yes, he could have pneumonia. It is best to have him to a vet for an exam because if that is the case, he will need antibiotics (at the minimum) to recover. Remember, puppies have an under-developed immune system (just like human babies) so they are more susceptible to infections. Please take him to a vet as soon as possible.

Yes, they do. Main signs can be hyperthermia, lethargy,inappetence, weakness/exercise intolerance, cough, dyspnoea (with rapid and superficial breathing), abnormal stance due to breathing abnormalities, in severe cases nasal discharge. Other signs may be related to the origin of pneumonia (can be bacterial, viral, tumoral, parasitic and so on). Other signs may be present but are related to specific tests (x rays, blood tests and so on). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Yes, it is quite possible the pneumonia has not resolved. She needs urgent reassessment by a vet and further medication, possibly intravenous fluids and antibiotics in order to stabilise her condition. Such severe pneumonia in a young pup is very concerning and can be fatal due to lung scarring and collapse. It is possible there may be underlying birth defects contributing to the original condition and/or her poor response to treatment

Congestive heart failure and pneumonia can certainly have very similar symptoms in dogs - breathing hard, coughing, laying around more than normal, etc. Chest x-rays and blood work would normally help to determine which of these problems your dog has, as results of these tests would be different in congestive heart failure vs. pneumonia. If you have a more specific question about your dog's particular situation, feel free to post again - we would be happy to try and help.

I'm sorry Abby is sick! If she sounds congested, you can try using a humidifier or bringing her into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. Take her temperature rectally (a dog's normal temp is between 101.5-102.5F), and if it's above 103F, I would find an ER vet clinic or a vet on call to see her right away. Additionally, if she is having trouble breathing, I wouldn't wait until Monday and have her seen by a vet right away. Make sure she has access to plenty of fresh water and food. Rest her, taking her outside only to potty and then bring her right back in when she's done. Keep her in a quiet area of the house. If at any time you are concerned about her or her symptoms, again take her into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see her. I hope this helps!

Bronchial pneumonia can be a very serious diagnosis. Sometimes pets that have been diagnosed with pneumonia need oxygen therapy for a few days until the antibiotics kick in. He seems to be very uncomfortable because of his difficulty breathing. My recommendation is to have him seen at a facility that can provide oxygen therapy. In the mean time, you might try taking him in a steamy bathroom and patting his chest firmly until you can make him cough. This may help break up some of the mucous, but the best thing for him is oxygen therapy and continued antibiotics. Best wishes!