Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs

Overview of Canine Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a persistent inflammation of one or more bronchi, which are tubes that pass air to the lungs from the trachea. The cause of chronic bronchitis in most cases is unknown.

Chronic bronchitis can affect both dogs and cats but is most common in adult small/toy or medium-sized dog breeds. Chronic infective tracheobronchitis is more common in dogs less than one year of age. Younger animals are more likely to be affected with pulmonary (lung) infection or malformation. There is no sex predilection.

What to Watch For

Signs of chronic bronchitis in dogs may include:

The cough is worsened by exercise and may be exacerbated at variable times of the day. Severely affected dogs become cyanotic (blue-tinge to gums and tongue) with exertion and may faint after coughing.

Diagnosis of Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs

Diagnostic tests are needed to recognize chronic bronchitis. Tests may include:

Other diagnostic tests may include:

Treatment of Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs

Chronic bronchitis can be a severe and progressive condition that causes difficulty breathing. Therapy of chronic bronchitis is guided by the cytology and culture of the tracheobronchial secretions (sputum), by the extent of radiographic changes (e.g. pneumonia) and by response to therapy. Chronic, intermittent antibiotic or corticosteroid therapy, combined with the use of bronchodilators, cough medicine and supportive care of the respiratory system, form the basis for chronic therapy.

Rarely is a cure obtained; however, with diligent home care, significant improvement of clinical signs does occur in many dogs.

Home Care and Prevention

There is no specific home care that can treat this disease. However, you should follow up with your veterinarian for examinations and radiographs and administer all veterinary prescribed medication as directed.

Provide exercise only as your dog can tolerate. Do not allow your dog to get short or breath with activity. If a restraint collar is worn, replace it with a harness. You may want to provide a vaporizer or nebulizer so your pet can inhale humidified air. Also, treatment of dental disease and oral cavity infections is recommended.

Prevention is not easy, although you can take steps to minimize the problem. Obesity should be controlled. Weight reduction over a two to three month period is recommended for obese pets. You should also minimize enviromental irritants. Decrease airway irritation. Avoid environmental stresses including house dust, vapors, chemical fumes and tobacco smoke.

In-depth Information on Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs

Chronic bronchitis refers to a persistent inflammatory change in the bronchial tree that may involve lobar bronchi or the smaller airways. Chronic bronchial inflammation or irritation, regardless of cause, seems to promote the predictable responses of increased tracheobronchial secretions, cough and progressive architectural changes in the bronchial tree, which alter airflow.

Other medical problems can lead to symptoms similar to those encountered in chronic bronchitis. Diagnostic testing such as radiographs (X-rays) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL]) will often diagnose chronic bronchitis. Further diagnostic testing may be needed to determine secondary factors such as active inflammation or to eliminate other causes of similar symptoms such as heart disease.

Diseases that can appear similar to those with chronic bronchitis include:

In-depth Information on Diagnosis

Certain diagnostic tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis in dogs and exclude other diseases that may cause similar symptoms. Tests may include:

Other laboratory tests may be helpful in assessing your pet’s heart and lungs and eliminating the possibility of other diseases. These tests may include:

In-depth Information on Treatment

Treatment of chronic bronchitis must be individualized based on the severity of the condition, the cause, secondary diseases or conditions and other factors that must be analyzed by your veterinarian. Therapy of idiopathic chronic bronchitis is frustrating because the underlying cause of inflammation is rarely determined or controlled. Rarely is a cure obtained; however, with diligent home care – that includes avoidance of risk factors and weight loss – and medical therapy, significant improvement of clinical signs does occur in many dogs. Patients with advanced changes including bronchiectasis (chronic dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles with secondary infection) or lobar atelectasis generally respond poorly to medical therapy. Complete suppression of the cough is rare.

Therapy of chronic bronchitis is guided by the cytology and culture of the tracheobronchial secretions (sputum), by the extent of radiographic changes and by response to therapy. Chronic, intermittent antibiotic or corticosteroid therapy, combined with the use of bronchodilators, antitussives and supportive care of the respiratory system, form the basis for medical therapy.

Follow-up Care for Dogs with Chronic Bronchitis

Optimal treatment for your dog requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Follow-up can be critical and may include the following: