Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs

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

Coughing 

Tachypnea (fast breathing)

Shortness of breath

Intermittent gagging (often misinterpreted as "vomiting")

Wheezing

Anorexia

Depression

Fever

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

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

Complete medical history and physical examination including careful auscultation of the heart and lungs. Auscultation of the lungs is often abnormal. Auscultation of the heart is usually normal. Coughing can be elicited upon palpation (the technique of examining parts of the body by touching and feeling them) of the trachea (windpipe) or during excitement. Obesity is common.

Your dog's medical history may include questions regarding the following: previous illness, therapy and response to therapy, appetite, weight loss, activity or exercise intolerance, cough and environmental exposure to dusts, smoke, and vapors.

Radiography (chest X-rays)

Airway examination

Cytology and culture

Other diagnostic tests may include:

Electrocardiogram 

CBC (complete blood count)

Arterial blood gas

Treatment

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.