While children often have a cough and sometimes a wheeze when they have a viral upper
respiratory tract infection or mild asthma exacerbation, if your child is having
difficulty breathing, then you should call your doctor.
Accordingly, the first diagnostic step is a thorough physical exam, during which the veterinarian will initially use a stethoscope to locate the specific source of the wheezing
while also attempting to rule out any heart or lung problems that may be causing the
respiratory difficulties.