Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (the airways in the lungs). It is one of the most common respiratory diseases in dogs.
Bronchitis can be caused by a variety of triggers. In most cases, viruses are the primary cause of the inflammation. Once the tissue and immune system are weakened, bacterial pathogens usually join the fray. A typical example is kennel cough. Other causes of bronchitis include allergies triggered by pollen or air pollution, fungi, parasites, or foreign bodies such as grass, awns, or pieces of wood that are accidentally inhaled.
Depending on the location of the inflammation, the condition is referred to as tracheobronchitis when the trachea and bronchi are affected, and bronchopneumonia when the inflammation of the bronchi has spread to the lungs. Furthermore, a distinction can be made between acute and chronic as well as obstructive (= constricting) and non-obstructive inflammation. Bronchitis that persists for more than two months is considered chronic.
The main symptom of bronchitis is a severe cough, which can be dry or wet depending on the type of disease and its cause. If the bronchitis is only mild, the animal's general condition is usually not affected. In acute, severe bronchitis, the dog will show a significantly reduced general condition in addition to coughing, including reluctance to move, loss of appetite, fatigue, and fever.
Breathing difficulties are hardly audible in non-obstructive inflammation. In the case of obstruction, i.e., blockage or narrowing of the small bronchi, severe breathing or even gagging noises may be heard. This can lead to paroxysmal coughing, shortness of breath, and loss of performance.
If a dog's bronchitis lasts longer than eight weeks or recurs regularly, it is referred to as chronic bronchitis. The transition is gradual. Affected dogs usually show a chronic dry cough accompanied by gagging or swallowing noises. They try to cough up the thick mucus. The animals suffer from a significantly impaired general condition with reduced performance and breathing difficulties.
It becomes dangerous when chronic obstructive bronchitis develops, as this leads to irreversible damage to the airways. This type of bronchitis is therefore incurable.
If your dog has respiratory problems, please consult a veterinarian promptly. Even a cough that seems harmless at first can lead to more serious problems if left unnoticed.
The veterinarian can usually make a preliminary diagnosis after a general examination and auscultation (= listening to the lungs). With the help of bronchoscopy, an endoscopic examination of the airways, he can obtain information about the condition of the bronchial mucosa and any secretions that may be present. During the examination, they also have the option of taking a secretion sample and having it examined in a laboratory. The results of the examination can provide important clues as to the cause and possible treatments.
As part of the diagnosis of respiratory diseases, the veterinarian will always listen to the heart. In cases of prolonged coughing and suspicion of a chronic condition, it may be advisable to perform a special heart examination with an ECG (electrocardiogram, see corresponding article).
As a general rule, the first step should always be to try to combat the causes or contributing factors of bronchitis, if known. Medication depends on the cause, severity, and stage of the bronchitis. Depending on the symptoms, cough suppressants, bronchodilators, and expectorants may be used. Secondary bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. With the help of inhalation, certain medications can be administered directly to the site of the infection in significantly lower doses than aerosols. Your veterinarian will advise you on the appropriate medication for your individual case.
Chronic bronchitis requires long-term treatment due to the irreparable damage to the lung tissue. Inhalation therapy is also recommended as a long-term treatment in this case, as the lower dosage of medication reduces side effects.
Accompanying the therapy, the sick dog should be kept calm and rested. Stress, wet and cold weather, and exertion (wild romping, dog sports) should be avoided during this time. Regular, short, quiet walks spread throughout the day are recommended and promote healing. Regular exercise, continuous dental hygiene, avoidance of passive smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are particularly important for dogs with chronic conditions. These supportive measures can contribute significantly to improving symptoms.
You can use the petsXL health passport to clearly store and monitor your dog's weight data.
If acute bronchitis is detected early and treated correctly, the prognosis is good. However, only a cautious prognosis can be made for chronic bronchitis, especially if the disease no longer responds to treatment and permanent damage has already occurred.
Inflammation of the bronchial tubes cannot be completely prevented. However, certain measures can help reduce the risk of bronchitis. Keeping your dog in a species-appropriate manner with regular exercise and plenty of fresh air is a factor that significantly reduces the risk of developing bronchitis. In cold, wet weather, make sure your dog keeps moving during walks and can dry off in a warm place once you get home. Another important preventive measure is to ensure your dog is up to date with all vaccinations, which will protect them from the most common infectious diseases and make them less susceptible to infectious bronchitis.
Dogs that have a lot of contact with other dogs, such as in puppy groups, kennels, animal shelters, or at the dog park, should be vaccinated against parainfluenza (canine parainfluenza virus) and bordetellosis (Bordetella bronchiseptica). Both pathogens are part of the kennel cough complex. The vaccination does not prevent infection, but it reduces the symptoms of the disease and the transmission of pathogens to other dogs. Single vaccines and combination vaccines are available, which are administered either in the nose, in the mouth, or under the skin. Depending on the vaccine, vaccination is possible from three to eight weeks of age and should be given at least one to four weeks before frequent contact with other dogs. Protection lasts for one year. Your vet can send you a personalized vaccination schedule for your dog via petsXL, and you will automatically receive notifications when it is time to make another appointment.
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