Diagnosis of respiratory diseases
Identifying the causes of coughing, breathlessness, snoring and nasal discharge in dogs and cats — chest X-ray, blood tests, airway endoscopy.
What it involves
Coughing, noisy breathing, chronic nasal discharge or fast breathing can originate from the nose, throat, trachea, bronchi, lungs or the heart. Respiratory diagnostics aim to establish at which level the problem lies, because treatment depends on it: a collapsed trachea is treated differently from feline asthma, and a cardiac cough differently from bronchitis.
We have digital chest X-ray, a laboratory (blood count, biochemistry, PCR for respiratory pathogens sent to an external laboratory), a flexible endoscope for bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and rhinoscopy, and ultrasound to assess the lungs and heart.
In many cases X-ray and blood tests are enough for a diagnosis; we perform endoscopy when the picture is unclear or when material must be collected for cytological and bacteriological examination.
When it is used
We recommend testing when a cough lasts longer than 1–2 weeks, recurs, gets worse at night or with exertion, when the animal breathes faster than usual at rest, has a chronic nasal discharge (especially one-sided or bloody), or snores and tires after slight exertion.
Dyspnoea (difficulty breathing) — a cat breathing with its mouth open, bluish gums, an outstretched neck — is an emergency. During opening hours, please phone and come straight away.
Indications: symptoms that should prompt a visit
- A dog has had a dry, “goose-honk” cough for several weeks, especially after excitement or pulling on the lead.
- A cat has coughing fits with an outstretched neck, as if trying to vomit.
- The animal breathes fast at rest (in a cat, over 40 breaths per minute while asleep).
- A short-nosed dog snores, snorts and faints on exertion or in hot weather.
- A cat has a chronic runny nose, sneezes and the discharge from the nose is purulent or bloody.
- An older dog coughs at night and after lying down.
- The animal has become hoarse or its voice has changed.
Conditions for which we use it in particular
Diagnostics beforehand
We start by listening to the lungs and heart and assessing the breathing pattern. The first imaging test is a chest X-ray in two views — it shows the lungs, trachea, cardiac silhouette and any fluid. Blood count and biochemistry from the laboratory will assess inflammation and the organs.
If we suspect the heart as the source of the cough, we add echocardiography. If the picture of the lungs is unclear or there is recurrent inflammation, we plan bronchoscopy with BAL (cytology, culture); for chronic nasal discharge, rhinoscopy with biopsies. Endoscopy requires a short anaesthetic and assessment according to STD-01.
How it proceeds
The first visit includes a history (when the cough occurs, after what, whether the animal is vaccinated, contact with other animals), a clinical examination, X-ray and a blood sample. We discuss the X-ray and laboratory results the same day. In a calm animal we take X-rays without sedation; a cat with dyspnoea is first stabilised in oxygen.
Bronchoscopy or rhinoscopy is a separate visit: anaesthesia with monitoring, the examination takes 20–40 minutes, samples go to our laboratory (cytology) and are sent out (culture, PCR, histopathology). The animal goes home the same day; sent-out results in 5–14 days.
Aftercare
After X-ray and blood tests the animal goes home with no restrictions; we start symptomatic or targeted treatment straight away. After bronchoscopy a mild cough is possible for a few hours — this is normal. It is worth limiting exertion and avoiding smoke, incense and dusty litters.
Please call immediately if breathing speeds up, the gums turn blue, a cat starts to breathe with its mouth open or a dog collapses. We usually plan a recheck after 2–3 weeks of treatment, often with a repeat X-ray.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dog’s cough come from the heart?
Yes — an enlarged heart presses on the bronchi, and fluid in the lungs causes coughing. That is why, when an older small-breed dog is coughing, we often combine X-ray with echocardiography.
Is anaesthesia needed for an X-ray?
Usually not. Most dogs and cats can be positioned for a moment without sedation. We use sedation in very agitated or painful animals.
A cat breathes fast in its sleep — is that serious?
In a cat, a breathing rate above 40 per minute while asleep is a sign to come in promptly; it may indicate fluid in the chest or heart disease.
Is kennel cough dangerous?
In healthy adult dogs it usually resolves by itself in 1–3 weeks. In puppies, seniors and short-nosed dogs it can progress to pneumonia — in which case we treat actively.
We manage every case individually. The scope, indications and course described above are indicative; we agree the exact diagnostic and treatment plan during the consultation. This content is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Have questions about diagnosis of respiratory diseases?
Call us or book a consultation. We will set out the diagnostic and treatment plan in writing, before you decide.