B2B NewsPet industry newsBronchitis in Dogs: Signs, Causes, & Treatment (Vet Answer)

Bronchitis in Dogs: Signs, Causes, & Treatment (Vet Answer)

-

- Advertisment -spot_img


dachshund dog check by vet
Dr. Chantal Villeneuve Photo

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.


Learn more »

In dogs, bronchitis is a relatively common problem. In humans, bronchitis is usually thought of as an infectious problem. And in dogs, it can be an infection, but it can also be present in other ways. Hopefully, if your dog has been diagnosed with bronchitis, it is an acute, short-term problem. Chronic bronchitis can get a little complicated

This article will discuss the differences. It will help you learn how to identify bronchitis if your dog gets it and arm you with tools to help them.  divider-paw

What Is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis can be a short, acute problem, or it can be a chronic, long-term problem that waxes and wanes. In both cases, though, it is caused by inflammation, swelling, and irritation in the lower respiratory tract—in the lungs. This inflammation causes a dog to cough.

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis appears quickly, seemingly out of nowhere, and goes away quickly as well.

In acute bronchitis, the primary cause needs to be identified and managed for the best results. Acute bronchitis is commonly caused by infectious agents, bacteria and viruses, or both. They cause inflammation, and if the infection goes away (which it usually does), then the bronchitis improves. It can improve in 5–7 days, but sometimes it may take 3 or 4 weeks, depending.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is when the inflammation sticks around for longer than two months.

The cough can wax and wane, but it is a persistent problem. The inflammation may have once been caused by infection, but it no longer is. It is a response in the body to long-term irritation so that the inflammation is pretty much out of control.

Veterinarian and puppy in veterinary clinic undergoing medical examination
Image Credit: megaflopp, Shutterstock

The Signs of Bronchitis

Coughing is the most apparent sign of bronchitis.

Coughing in a dog can be confused with other things, such as sneezing, reverse sneezing, or even gagging. Coughing is often much louder and more persistent than these problems, though. Although if your dog reverse sneezes, it is good to get to know what that sounds like so you can tell the difference.

A cough caused by bronchitis tends to sound wet; however, it is more productive than a dry cough. They may cough in spasms or intermittently. They may cough after an activity or randomly at any time.

Coughing is a sign of many problems, such as pneumonia, heart disease, lung cancer, or other respiratory diseases besides bronchitis. So, if your dog coughs persistently, they need a physical exam with a vet. Although a dog with bronchitis can also have multiple problems, any of which can be concurrent.

Some dogs may also demonstrate exercise intolerance, an inability to exercise as much as they used to. But most dogs with chronic bronchitis act otherwise normal; they just cough.

black dog coughing
Image Credit: 5075933, Pixabay

The Causes of Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis can happen in any dog breed and at any age. It is commonly caused by infectious agents, but it can also be caused by sudden exposure to harmful inhalants, such as smoke. The cause may never be concretely identified, especially if treatment cures it quick enough.

Chronic bronchitis

Most common in middle age and older dogs. Smaller dogs are also more likely to have it. Once inflammation occurs in the lungs (after a bout of acute bronchitis, for example), it can lead to permanent changes, especially if it is severe or lasts long enough. The permanent changes not only make the lungs less efficient at breathing air, but they also make the inflammation more likely to come back if it ever goes away completely, that is.divider-paw

How Do I Care for a Dog with Bronchitis

The most helpful thing is to get your vet involved.

Acute bronchitis

If you suspect bronchitis or infectious bronchitis, book an appointment with your vet right away. But also tell them that is what you suspect, so they can take extra precautions at the clinic, so the infection doesn’t spread to other dogs. Tell them before you enter the building. Call and ask for instructions on how to come in with your potentially infectious dog.

Caring for Acute Bronchitis at Home

  • The most important thing to do for acute bronchitis is to know if your dog needs to be isolated. If the sudden outbreak of bronchitis is caused by infectious agents, then your dog will need to be isolated so they don’t spread it to others.
  • Medication can help reduce the cough and interrupt the cycle discussed above, where the cough makes bronchitis worse.
  • Antibiotics may or may not be helpful. This will depend on the infectious agents, your dog’s health, and the environment where you live. Ask your vet if they are needed, but do not be surprised if they are NOT.
  • Keep them warm, dry, and rest until they are better.

Chronic bronchitis

Vet visits work best with frequent check-ins; once every 3–6 months to make sure everything is managed just right is a good idea. Having a vet who knows their pattern of cough is more helpful for improving their quality of life.

Caring for Chronic Bronchitis at Home

Dogs with chronic bronchitis may be put on medication to help their lungs function, but things you do at home can also be helpful.

  • Maintain a well-ventilated home. Reducing air contaminants such as smoke is important. But also managing any things that might trigger a reaction. Perfumes and strong-smelling soaps do not mean the air is fresh and well-ventilated.
  • Manage their weight so that obesity doesn’t make it more difficult for them to breathe.
  • Manage their exercise. Getting some controlled exercise is important for maintaining healthy lung function but it can also trigger bronchitis and make it worse. Interrupt the exercise if it is getting to be too much.
sick dog
Image Credit: ykaiavu, Pixabay

divider-paw

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How will a vet diagnose chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis may take a while to diagnose. It can take a long time to know something is chronic. Plus, since there are so many other things that a cough can be caused by, these other ‘things’ need to be ruled out first.

Diagnostic tests such as bloodwork, X-rays, and even taking samples of the airways can help a vet get to a diagnosis.

What is the prognosis for chronic bronchitis?

The severity of chronic bronchitis will dictate its prognosis. Severe chronic bronchitis can be quite limiting and impede a dog’s quality of life. Or it can also wax and wane so that there are periods of more intense inflammation and cough, followed by periods of relative calm. This is the most common pattern, in fact.

Mild bronchitis might just be a pestering problem that flares up and is dealt with quickly.

chow chow dog at the vet
Image Credit: 135pixels, Shutterstock

What’s the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?

Bronchitis inflammation is not as deep in the lungs as pneumonia goes, but it’s lower than the upper airways, where sinusitis causes inflammation. It is between the two, in the bronchi, which is what that part of the airways is called.

Acute bronchitis is closely related to pneumonia; both are inflammation of the lungs. But pneumonia is much more severe as the infection is much deeper and more insidious. But bronchitis can also switch to pneumonia easily. Both acute and chronic bronchitis can escalate to pneumonia.

Why is my dog’s bronchitis getting worse?

Inflammation causes a cough, which is irritating and causes more inflammation. So, bronchitis can be a difficult cycle of inflammation to break. As a dog coughs, the irritation and mucus are stimulated to become more.divider-paw

Conclusion

Bronchitis can look different in different dogs and in different scenarios, but overall, TLC is the best thing for it. Keeping your dog’s lungs healthy means providing exercise and fresh, clean air. Getting their vaccines, including kennel cough—even if they don’t go to a kennel—are all necessary steps to prevent bronchitis.

Hopefully, this has helped explain some of the different ways bronchitis can affect your dog and helps you know how to provide the best tender loving care.


Featured Image Credit: vet_Duet PandG, Shutterstock



Source link

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest news

“研学热”:一场“旅游+教育”的神奇化学反应

东南网8月26日报道(本网记者郑琦/文)日前,福建省文化和旅游厅评选出福建中青国际旅行社有限公司、福建智行研学教育科技有限公司等23家“优秀研学旅游服务机构”。省文旅厅将通过发挥优秀机构的典型示范效应 Source link

18个项目260亿!绍兴城市推介会走进港澳

“由衷期待双方以此次推介会为契机,持续深化经济、科技、教育、文化、体育等各领域沟通交流,努力打造更多标志性合作成果。”12日-14日,2024“港澳·绍兴周”在香港启幕,绍兴市委书记温暖率市代表团赴香 Source link

这种“教育”竟能做出撩动人心的美食?

30岁裸辞去蓝带学厨艺,毕业后仅仅用了2年的时间就一举成为百万粉丝的美食博主。这一次我们邀请到了美食博主徐人宇Vincent,以及蓝带国际大中华区董事总经理、澳大利亚蓝带学员商凌燕女士、蓝带巴黎学员侯 Source link

撒网预热进行时,小轮车推广进校园

伴随着奥运会资格系列赛·上海的临近,城市体育节撒网预热期的推广活动日益火热。4月以来,不同主题的运动项目进入商圈、学校,让更多人体验到这些城市运动项目的乐趣。近日,“极限宝贝bmx初体验骑进校园”系列活动亮相上海市黄浦区 Source link
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

撒网预热进行时,小轮车推广进校园

伴随着奥运会资格系列赛·上海的临近,城市体育节撒网预热期的推广活动日益火热。4月以来,不同主题的运动项目进入商圈、学校,让更多人体验到这些城市运动项目的乐趣。4月30日上午,“极限宝贝bmx初体验骑进校园”系列活动亮相上 Source link

话说杨浦丨“赛艇女孩”,你在哪里?

上海海洋大学的历史可上溯至1912年成立的江苏省立水产学校。2006年,位于杨浦区军工路的上海海洋大学前身——上海水产大学,积极响应上海市教委号召,成功组织了“阳光体育大联赛”。宣传、动员过程中,学校 Source link

Must read

Lady Gaga and Cardi B Meet at the Grammys

What was expected of her was the same thing...

Jennifer Aniston’s Ex Justin Theroux Wishes Her Happy Birthday on Instagram

What was expected of her was the same thing...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you


Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /www/wwwroot/b2b/wp-content/themes/Newspaper-child/footer.php on line 40