Bronchitis in dogs

Bronchitis causes dogs to cough. While your dog’s coughing may seem like a minor problem, if the cough persists speak to a vet.

Bronchitis in dogs is the inflammation of the airways within the lungs which results in cough and mucus production. This inflammation can be sudden, if due to a new infection, or long-lasting. Acute bronchitis is more frequent in younger dogs and chronic bronchitis in elderly dogs.

Overview

What is bronchitis in dogs?

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the lining of the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. This includes mainly bronchi and bronchioles, but can also include trachea and alveoli.

There are many causes of bronchitis in dogs.

Acute bronchitis has a sudden onset and can be due to:

Airway irritation due to inhalation of foreign material
Bacterial or viral infections, such as kennel cough
Parasite infections like heartworm and lungworm

Chronic bronchitis is present when the cough lasts more than two months. It can be due to:

Inhalation of irritants like tobacco smoke, air pollutants
Inhalation of allergens
Inhalation of bacteria associated with dental disease
Recurrent respiratory infections (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungus)

Complications of chronic bronchitis due to blockage of the smaller airways:

dilation of portions of the small airways, called bronchiectasis
scarring in the lungs, called pulmonary fibrosis

Chronic bronchitis develops slowly and gets progressively worse.

Allergic bronchitis or asthma is rare in dogs.

Symptoms

Symptoms of bronchitis in dogs?

You might notice some or all of the following in your dog:

Cough that’s wet, dry or honking
Exercise intolerance
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Change in breathing, such as rapid breathing, shallow breaths, or difficulty breathing

Risk

Are some dogs more at higher risk of bronchitis than others?

Small and toy breeds, older than 8 years of age are more likely to have chronic bronchitis
Obesity aggravates the symptoms
Dental disease increases the risk of secondary bacterial infections

Diagnosis

How do vets diagnose bronchitis in dogs?

Talking through your concerns about your dog’s symptoms
Hands-on examination including listening to your dog’s heart and chest
Radiographs
Blood and urine tests

Your vets might also recommend:

Faecal test
Heartworm blood test
Lower airway evaluation and sampling. This involves passing a bronchoscope (a small camera on a flexible tube) through the mouth and down the throat to visually examine the lower airway while your dog is under anaesthesia. Samples of tissue and airway secretions may be collected during this procedure for additional testing.
NT-proBNP biomarker test. A specific test is used to help identify a heart problem associated with this disease.

Vet treatment

What is the treatment for bronchitis?

Your vets might recommend one or more of the following, based on your dog’s specific needs:

Antibiotics: They are most commonly used to treat acute bronchitis, but may alsobe used in some cases of chronic bronchitis.
Worming treatment
Steroids by mouth or inhalation
Cough medication
Bronchodilators: to open inflamed and narrowed airways, allowing your dog to breathe more easily

Home treatment

How to help your dog with bronchitis

Acute bronchitis: keep an eye on them and if necessary offer soft food to encourage them to eat.

Chronic bronchitis: to remove environmental triggers. Minimising exposure to tobacco smoke, dust mites, and other common household irritants can reduce your dog’s symptoms.

Other lifestyle changes may be recommended, such as:

Decreased or moderate exercise activity. Observe your dog, and see what he can cope with. Speak to a vet for more detailed guidance.
Use a harness instead of a collar.
Maintain a healthy weight.

Prevention

How to prevent bronchitis in dogs

Keep your dog up-to-date with their kennel cough vaccine and monthly deworming, including treatment for lungworm
Take your dog to your vet for yearly checkups so problems can be identified and treated early
Keep your dog’s home environment clean and smoke-free

When to worry