Pulmonary fibrosis in dogs is a type of lung disease which occurs when scar tissue forms within the lungs. As a progressive and, to this point, incurable disease, it can be a dire health risks for dogs.
Luckily, veterinary scientists are learning more about pulmonary fibrosis in dogs all the time. Over the past two decades, the scientific community has discovered possible root causes, identified early warning signs, and worked hard to find treatment plans.
In this article, we’re going to share everything that Dog Owners should know about this challenging disease based on what the research has unearthed so far.
What is canine pulmonary fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis in dogs is a process of progressive lung failure. It happens when the tissue in the lungs becomes damaged, leading to scarring and stiffening. As a result, the lungs cannot effectively transfer oxygen to the bloodstream.
The disease gets worse over time, with most dogs experiencing complete lung failure in a matter of months or a few years.
What causes pulmonary fibrosis in dogs?
Pulmonary fibrosis in dogs is neither a totally hereditary or totally environmentally-caused disease. Instead, scientists are fairly certain that it’s the result of an interplay between genetics and environmental factors.
What do we mean by this?
Well, let’s start with the genetics. It appears that some dogs are at higher risk for inheriting pulmonary fibrosis. The breed most commonly associated with this disease is the West Highland White Terrier. But, it’s not exclusive to Westies. Other dogs in the terrier group, including Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Jack Russel Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Border Terriers, and Norfolk Terriers, may also be at higher risk for developing this form of lung disease.
Then there are the environmental factors. Pulmonary fibrosis can be the result of severe illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis, as well as certain types of pest-borne infections such as leishmania. Exposure to harmful chemicals, like cigarette smoke or pollution, can also cause it.
It seems that pulmonary fibrosis most commonly develops in older dogs. In contrast, puppies and young adult dogs are not likely to suffer from it.
As you can see, the exact cause of this illness is often multi-faceted and difficult to pin down. In many cases, a vet will diagnose a dog with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, meaning that the cause of the lung disease is unknown.
What are the signs?
Often, pulmonary fibrosis is diagnosed after a dog has started showing signs of laboured breathing. Here are a few other symptoms that could point to the disease:
- Coughing
- Excessive panting
- Fatigue and aversion to exercising
- Discoloration of the tongue and gums, also known as cyanosis
- Dizziness and fainting
A vet may notice the early signs during routine check-ups, specifically when they listen to the lungs and heart. For this reason, and many others, regular visits to the vet during your dog’s senior years is highly recommended.
How do we diagnose it?
If your vet believes that your dog may be suffering from this disease, there are a few different tests that they can run.
One step could be a blood test. This will allow your vet to analyse the oxygen levels in the blood. Low oxygen levels could be a sign that the lungs are not functioning properly as a result of pulmonary fibrosis.
Another way to diagnose it is with an x-ray. Not only will a chest X-ray show lung damage, but it may also reveal whether the heart has been enlarged as the result of respiratory strain.
The most effective way to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis is with a lung biopsy. However, vets may opt not to perform this invasive procedure if the other tests have shown signs of the illness.
What happens after a dog has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis?
Unfortunately there is no cure for pulmonary fibrosis. Instead, a vet will likely recommend a treatment plan to make a dog more comfortable living with the disease. Some ways to ease the symptoms include:
- Avoidance of high-energy activities. Pulmonary fibrosis tends to develop during a dog’s less active years, but special care should still be taken to avoid exertion. Slow walks with plenty of breaks are the most appropriate form of exercise for dogs with this condition. If your dog enjoys stays with a trusted Pet Sitter, make sure they know your dog’s limitations.
- Cool living conditions. Because dogs primarily rely on panting to regulate their body temperature, warm environments are not appropriate for dogs with pulmonary fibrosis. Make sure they always have a cool, quiet place to rest.
- The use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, theophylline, or cough suppressants. Not all vets will recommend these or other medications as they haven’t been rigorously tested for pulmonary fibrosis in dogs. That said, they have the potential to ease the discomfort of this disease, leading many vets to suggest them for their patients.
Hope for the future
Pulmonary fibrosis is a human disease as well as a canine one. As such, there is a large group of scientists working to find a cure and more effective treatment options.
For instance, the Fibrosis Across Species is a group of vets and lung disease experts. Together, they research better treatment plans for humans and animals suffering from the illness. They’ve even collaborated with the Westie Foundation of America so that Dog Owners can sign their pups up for potentially life-saving clinical trials.
Over the last decade, teams like this one have moved us closer to finding a cure. Pulmonary fibrosis in dogs is a harsh reality, but we can now look towards a more hopeful future!
