Respiratory Issues

When your pet starts coughing, sneezing, or having difficulty breathing, it’s natural to be concerned. Respiratory problems in dogs and cats can range from mild upper respiratory infections to serious conditions affecting the lungs and airways. Some respiratory symptoms are urgent and need same-day treatment, while others may signal a life-threatening emergency.

At Ruby Veterinary Urgent Care in Johns Creek, our ER-trained veterinarians can quickly assess your pet’s breathing, identify the cause, and initiate treatment.

• Kennel cough, also known as canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), is a highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs that causes a distinctive honking or hacking cough. It often develops after exposure to other dogs at boarding facilities, dog parks, or grooming salons.
• Feline upper respiratory infections caused by feline herpesvirus or calicivirus are extremely common in cats, especially kittens and shelter cats. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, and eye discharge.
• Pneumonia is a lower respiratory infection that can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, and lethargy. It can result from bacterial, viral, fungal, or aspiration causes.
• Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways in cats that causes coughing, wheezing, and in severe cases, respiratory distress.
• Collapsing trachea is a condition affecting small-breed dogs where the tracheal cartilage weakens, causing a characteristic goose-honk cough, especially during excitement or leash pulling.
• Heart disease, particularly in older dogs, can cause coughing due to fluid accumulation in or around the lungs.
• Nasal foreign bodies such as grass, foxtails, or other material can lodge in the nasal passages, causing sudden sneezing, nasal discharge, and pawing at the face.

Your pet should be evalauted by a veterinarian if you notice the following:

• Persistent coughing that lasts more than 24 hours or is worsening
• Thick nasal discharge that is green or yellow
• Sneezing fits that are frequent or producing blood
• Audible wheezing
• Labored breathing
• Decreased energy or appetite accompanying respiratory symptoms
• Gagging or retching at the end of coughing episodes.

Bring your pet to Ruby for coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge that is persistent or worsening. We can diagnose upper and lower respiratory conditions and initiate effective treatment.

Head to the emergency room immediately if your pet is in respiratory distress, characterized by open-mouth breathing (especially in cats, who should never breathe with their mouths open), blue or purple gums or tongue, extreme effort to breathe with exaggerated chest or abdominal movements, or an inability to settle or lie down due to difficulty breathing.

Our veterinarians start with a thorough physical examination, including careful auscultation (listening) of the lungs and trachea with a stethoscope, which often provides significant diagnostic information.

Chest X-rays are the primary imaging tool for evaluating the lungs, airways, and heart, and can identify pneumonia, fluid accumulation, masses, and heart enlargement. Bloodwork assesses overall health, checks for infection, and evaluates organ function. Oxygen therapy is available for pets that need respiratory support during evaluation and treatment.

Treatment depends on the underlying condition. Generally, kennel cough is treated with cough suppressants, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes antibiotics if secondary bacterial infection is suspected. Feline upper respiratory infections may be managed with supportive care, including fluids, appetite stimulants, and antibiotics if bacterial infection is present. Pneumonia requires aggressive antibiotic therapy and supportive care. Feline asthma typically is managed with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications. Heart-related coughing may be treated with diuretics and heart medications. In all cases, our veterinarian will share their personalized treatment plan depending on your pet's condition and history.

Respiratory evaluations at Ruby typically take 45 to 75 minutes. Chest X-rays and bloodwork results are available during the visit. If your pet needs respiratory support, Ruby is equipped with an oxygen cage for pets during evaluation and treatment. You’ll leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment plan, and instructions for monitoring at home.

Most dogs bounce back from kennel cough within 7 to 14 days, though a mild lingering cough may stick around for a few weeks. Cats with upper respiratory infections usually feel better within 7 to 10 days with supportive care. Pneumonia takes longer, typically 2 to 4 weeks of consistent antibiotic therapy. Feline asthma and collapsing trachea are chronic conditions that your primary vet will manage with ongoing medication.

On the prevention side, keep your pet's vaccinations current, especially the Bordetella vaccine if your dog regularly visits boarding facilities, daycare, or dog parks. Limit exposure to smoke, strong chemicals, and excessive dust to protect your pet's airways. Keeping your pet at a healthy weight also makes a real difference, especially for brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds that already work harder to breathe.

Ruby Veterinary Urgent Care is located at 10710 State Bridge Road Ste 120 in Johns Creek, Georgia, just minutes from Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Suwanee, Duluth, Peachtree Corners, Sandy Springs, and Cumming. We serve pet families across North Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Forsyth County, and greater metro Atlanta. Open Monday through Friday 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Walk-ins welcome or reserve your spot online.