Will Pneumonia In A Puppy Cause Health Problems Down The Road?

When we welcome a puppy into our lives, we make a life-long commitment to take care of them. Considering it’s such a big commitment, we want to know what we’re getting into to the best of our abilities.

Dogs with health issues might require extra resources, like time and money. But often, it’s hard to tell what health problems a puppy might develop as they age.

One question a pet parent might wonder is if pneumonia can have lasting effects on a puppy. If your puppy has pneumonia, will they ever be the same after?

While some puppies are fine after recovering from pneumonia, others suffer long-term health effects.

According to Pet Helpful, veterinarian Mark dos Anjos says that pneumonia can leave scarring in the lungs after a puppy has recovered from pneumonia.

He said, “Some people report that puppies are fine after pneumonia. If treatment is delayed, however, there may be permanent damage and scarring of the lung tissue.”

In fact, some dogs who get pneumonia as a puppy may never have normal lung function again. It’s not possible to tell which dogs will suffer later and which dogs will be ok.

As Dr. Anjos said, “Some dogs do have problems later on, but others do not. It may be related to the microbiome, or it may be related to scarring that cannot be seen with radiographs or other imaging. There is no way to predict this.”

Ultimately, pneumonia can have lasting effects on a puppy that last a lifetime. But that’s not always the case. Many dogs who get pneumonia in puppyhood grow up without any issues at all.

If you suspect your dog is suffering in any capacity, it’s a good idea to contact a veterinarian who can help you determine the cause.