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.

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 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

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

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.

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 also be 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

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.

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 check ups so problems can be identified and treated early

• Keep your dog’s home environment clean and smoke-free

When to worry about your dog with bronchitis

Call your local vet if your dog shows any of these signs:

• Cough that worsens despite treatment

• Lethargy

• Not eating

• Difficulty breathing

• Blue or purplish colour of gums or tongue (cyanosis)

• Collapse

Call Joii if your dog shows any of the following:

• New cough

• Gagging

• Reduced appetite

• Bad breath