Occurrence

• Although canine pneumonia can affect dogs of any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in those less than one year old.
  
  

Causes

• Dogs typically develop pneumonia by inhaling bacteria. But the illness can also be contracted when the bacteria have come in contact with bodily tissues not related to the respiratory system.
  
  

Symptoms

• Symptoms of pneumonia in dogs are easily recognized and include difficulty breathing, wheezing, panting, coughing, loss of energy, changes in appetite and water intake, fever, bulging lips and nasal discharge.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Veterinarians diagnose canine pneumonia by performing a thorough physical examination, listening to the lungs through a stethoscope and analyzing chest X-rays.
  
  

Treatment

• Treatment for pneumonia in canines varies based upon the severity of the illness and may include antibiotic medications, bronchodilator and/or humidification therapy and chest percussion exercises.