Pulmonary Edema in Dogs Pulmonary edema is identified as the
buildup of fluid in the lungs. It is often associated with
pneumonia, although there are many other possible causes. Normal
lungs have fluid that is moved from the lungs into the internal
space of the body, an on-going process for normal healthy
function. Any added pressure in the dog's lungs can damage this
mechanism, which leads to fluid buildup in the lungs. If this
excess fluid is not removed, edema forms. Damage can occur if
this condition is left untreated, but when treated
appropriately, the outcome is positive. Animals of all ages,
genders, and breeds can be diagnosed with pulmonary edema. If
you would like to learn more about how this disease affects
cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
Symptoms and Types Some of the most common symptoms of pulmonary
edema are: - Dry cough - Crackling noises during breathing
(rales) - Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) - Abnormally fast
breathing (tachypnea) - Open-mouth breathing Pulmonary