Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs: Causes, Signs, and Treatment

If your dog accidentally inhales food, water, vomit or other foreign materials into their lungs, it can cause aspiration pneumonia. Left to progress, this serious lung infection can become life-threatening.

In This Article

Being aware of the risk factors and early signs of aspiration pneumonia in dogs means you can take prompt action. With timely veterinary diagnosis and treatment, many dogs make a full recovery.

What Is Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs?

“Aspiration pneumonia occurs when the contents of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the mouth, end up in the respiratory tract and ultimately the lungs,” Dr. Adesola Odunayo, DVM, a Michael Schaer Endowed Distinguished Professor of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Florida, explains.

To better understand the mechanics, think of a time when you’ve taken a drink and ended up coughing aggressively because something “went down the wrong way.” This sensation occurs when the liquid goes down your trachea (windpipe) and into your lungs rather than down your food pipe (esophagus) into your stomach.

Dogs can also experience this, and if they don’t cough up the offending material, aspiration pneumonia can be a complication of pulmonary aspiration (the accidental inhalation of something other than air into the lungs).

If food, water, saliva, stomach acid, vomit, or a small foreign object ends up in your dog’s lungs, this causes inflammation of the airway, and bacteria can grow, leading to a rapidly progressing infection.

What Causes Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs?

Dr. Odunayo says vomiting and regurgitation are the most common reasons aspiration pneumonia occurs in dogs. “Typically, during the act of vomiting, the body naturally protects the respiratory tract so that gastrointestinal contents stay out of the airways,” she explains. “In some instances, this doesn’t happen, and GI contents may accidentally get inhaled into the lungs.”

Certain factors and conditions, especially those that reduce the ability to protect the airways, can increase the risk of a dog developing aspiration pneumonia. These include:

• Pharyngeal or esophageal abnormalities
• Laryngeal paralysis
• Neurological diseases that alter the animal’s normal airway protective mechanisms
• Megaesophagus (which causes recurrent regurgitation)
• Sedation or general anesthesia
• Dogs requiring syringe or bottle feeding
• Trauma
• Weakened immune systems (more common in puppies, senior dogs, and those with underlying illnesses)

Signs of Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs

“Aspiration pneumonia most often causes general signs of unwellness and, depending on its severity, dogs may also have varying respiratory signs,” Dr. Odunayo says. While they can be wide-ranging and non-specific, some common signs include:

Dr. Odunayo says you may also see increased use of accessory muscles to assist with breathing (usually the abdominal muscles).

“In severe cases, you may also notice your dog breathing with their mouth open and/or a blue or purple discoloration of the gums and/or tongue,” she says. While it’s important to consult with a vet if your dog is experiencing any of the above signs, acute respiratory distress is a medical emergency, and you should contact your veterinary hospital immediately.

Even if your dog hasn’t vomited recently, be aware that signs of infection can develop days or weeks after pulmonary aspiration occurs.

Diagnosing Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs

Aspiration pneumonia can be challenging to diagnose definitively, and mild signs may be similar to symptoms your dog may experience with other conditions, such as kennel cough or even heart disease.

However, your veterinarian may suspect this condition after taking your dog’s history. For example, if they’re experiencing chronic vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or are recovering from surgery under anesthesia, this can offer vital clues.

Dr. Ashly Smith, Regional Medical Director for Small Door Veterinary, explains that veterinarians commonly diagnose aspiration pneumonia through a combination of physical examination, chest X-rays, and blood work to assess infection and inflammation. “In some cases, they may recommend airway sampling (such as a tracheal wash) to identify the specific bacteria involved and guide antibiotic selection,” she says.

Your veterinarian may also perform other tests to rule out other conditions or to diagnose possible underlying causes of the aspiration pneumonia.

Treating Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs

Treatment of aspiration pneumonia depends on its severity. “Dogs who are mildly affected are treated with oral antibiotics on an outpatient basis, with specific instructions for signs to watch out for that may indicate progressive disease,” Dr. Odunayo says.

Pets who are moderately to severely affected usually have difficulty achieving normal blood oxygen levels. “Those patients are hospitalized with supplemental oxygen therapy, intravenous antibiotics, and other supportive care as indicated,” Dr. Odunayo says. This may include IV fluids, and anti-nausea and GI motility medications.

Treatment duration varies depending on the severity of the aspiration pneumonia and any underlying causes. Be prepared for it to last anywhere from 10 days to two months.

When your veterinarian identifies an underlying and manageable cause for aspiration pneumonia, they will also treat this.

Prognosis for Dogs with Aspiration Pneumonia

The good news is that with prompt diagnosis and treatment (before infection sets in too deeply), most dogs with aspiration pneumonia recover well. However, the severity of the disease influences the prognosis.

“Dogs who need more intensive care (high flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation) tend not to do as well as pets who are mildly affected and have little to no need for supplemental oxygen,” Dr. Odunayo says. “Pets with underlying causes that are more challenging to manage (e.g. laryngeal paralysis, megaesophagus) also don’t do as well due to the increased risk for recurrent aspiration.”

For dogs that make a full recovery, expect it to take anything from a week to more than a month for them to feel fully like themselves again. Your veterinarian may also carry out follow-up imaging to help confirm that the lungs are healing well.

Preventing Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs

It’s not possible to prevent aspiration pneumonia in all cases. However, you can reduce the chances of it developing if you identify situations where your dog could be at risk.
Dr. Smith recommends addressing conditions that affect swallowing or reflux, avoiding force-feeding, and following any pre-anesthesia and post-anesthesia feeding and medication instructions. “For dogs with chronic regurgitation [i.e. those with megaesophagus] or neurologic issues, feeding smaller, upright meals and monitoring closely after eating can also help prevent aspiration,” she says.