Pneumonitis and Pneumonia
An infection or irritation of the lungs that causes inflammation is known as pneumonitis. If fluid builds up within the lung tissue, it is called pneumonia. Pneumonia can occur as a result of an infection, or it can be secondary to another system failure, especially the heart. Infections of the lungs can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. All can be serious.
What are the symptoms?
The most frequent and noticeable symptom of a lung infection is
difficulty breathing, especially on inhalation. The breaths will
be rapid and shallow. The dog or cat has difficulty obtaining
enough oxygen as the lung tissue becomes filled with fluid, thus
reducing the number of functional air spaces (alveoli). The tongue,
gums and lips may appear bluish or gray. This blue/gray appearance
is termed cyanosis and is an indicator of lack of oxygen within
the blood. The body temperature is usually elevated, often to
over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. If the lung congestion is caused
by a failing heart, the temperature may remain within normal limits
(101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit).
What are the risks?
Lung infections are always serious; however, with early diagnosis
and treatment, most dogs and cats are successfully treated. In
our opinion, the fungal diseases, such as blastomycosis, tend
to be the most serious. Early detection and an accurate diagnosis
are very important. One must rely on a veterinarian to determine
if the cause of the lung condition is heart-related or simply
a primary infection of the lungs.
What is the management?
If one suspects a lung disorder, a veterinarian should be contacted
at once. Normally a variety of diagnostic techniques are used,
such as chest radiographs or ultrasound. If fluid is suspected,
a sample of fluid can be removed from the chest and analyzed.
This helps differentiate fungal disorders from others. If a bacterium
is suspected, a culture and sensitivity test can be performed
to identify the type of bacteria, and then choose the proper antibiotics.
Diuretics such as Lasix (furosemide) are occasionally administered
to help clear excess fluid from the lungs.
The information on this page was obtained from the site www.peteducation.com