Chronic bronchitis in dogs is a fairly common affliction in our beloved senior pups. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby discusses the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic bronchitis so you will know what to expect should it affect your furry friend.
Dogs may cough for a variety of reasons. Puppies can occasionally cough when they drink water too fast or pull on their leash. Dogs may also cough due to an irritant in the air or underlying allergies. On a more serious note, medical conditions like heart disease, lung tumors, or respiratory infections can also cause coughing.
Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint why exactly a dog is coughing. Such is the case in chronic bronchitis in dogs.
What is chronic bronchitis in dogs?
Chronic bronchitis in dogs is a medical condition in which a dog has been coughing for at least two consecutive months without a discernible cause. This type of long-term coughing usually results from persistent airway inflammation and from chronic irreversible changes to the airways. It is one of the most common types of respiratory diseases in dogs.
Before we dive into chronic bronchitis in more detail, I want to give you a quick tour of your dog’s respiratory system. That way you will have a better understanding of the anatomy and functions of the lungs.
Respiratory system anatomy
Your dog’s respiratory system is comprised of several important structures. When your dog breathes in, the air travels through the nose and into the trachea (i.e. windpipe). This large tubular structure runs down the neck and into the chest. The trachea eventually branches off into two smaller tubes called the bronchi. Each bronchus moves air to separate sides of the lungs—the left and the right.
Once air passes through the bronchi, it enters bronchioles, which are tiny passages that branch out from the two main bronchi like tree roots. The bronchioles then deliver air to the alveoli. Alveoli are tiny sacs in the lung lobes that are responsible for transferring oxygen into the blood and removing carbon dioxide from the blood. Alveoli are located throughout the lung tissue.
At the cellular level, the respiratory system contains specialized cells called goblet cells. These specialized cells reside in the tissues that line the insides of the airways from the trachea down through the bronchioles.
Goblet cells secrete mucus. This viscous material not only helps keep tissues moisturized, but also acts as a first line of defense against harmful invaders. Mucus contains antibodies and enzymes that can kill dangerous bacteria.
Cilia—which are tiny hair-like projections on airway cells—help to move mucus around, keeping too much from accumulating in one area.
Chronic bronchitis causes anatomical changes
In dogs with bronchitis, chronic inflammation eventually results in excessive mucus production. The motility of the cilia decreases, allowing mucus to accumulate in the airways. The combination of inflammation and mucus accumulation can result in obstruction of the bronchioles. This is why chronic bronchitis is sometimes also called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To compensate for COPD, bronchioles can widen over time. This condition, known as bronchiectasis, makes the lungs more susceptible to infection. Also, connective tissue in the lungs can become scarred, rigid, and thickened. This is known as pulmonary fibrosis.
What causes chronic bronchitis in dogs?
Chronic bronchitis typically occurs when prolonged inflammation is present. It can also occur if the airways become injured in some way. Some issues that can contribute to chronic bronchitis in dogs include:
- Physical trauma
- Acute allergic reactions
- Severe infections
- Exposure to inhaled irritants
Dogs can also have predisposing factors that increase their risk of developing chronic bronchitis.
Which dogs are most at risk for chronic bronchitis?
Risk factors that may make chronic bronchitis more likely to occur include:
Age and breed
Toy and small breed dogs are more likely to be affected by chronic bronchitis. Some breeds of dog, such as Cocker Spaniels, are especially at risk. It also happens more frequently in middle-aged to older dogs.
Previous respiratory infections
Dogs with severe respiratory infections, like pneumonia, are more likely to have the kind of airway scarring and fibrosis that leads to chronic bronchitis. This is especially true if those infections occur during puppyhood, while their airways are still developing.
Collapsing trachea
Collapsed trachea in dogs can also be a risk factor. This condition, which itself causes chronic coughing, occurs when the space inside of the trachea becomes narrower over time. Although this is usually a progressive condition, the degree of collapse and associated clinical signs can be intermittent.
The trachea is made up of multiple “C” shaped cartilaginous rings covered with a thin membrane. It almost resembles the springy tunnels that are used in dog agility courses.
As dogs age, these rings can lose their rigid structure and become flattened. The thin membrane connecting the rings can also collapse. Picture the fabric of a tent billowing downward without supportive stakes. This collapse narrows the space inside the trachea.
When the trachea narrows, it becomes more difficult for air to pass through. The resulting turbulent air flow makes it difficult to breathe. Plus, mild inflammation from common issues like allergies can further obstruct airways, leading to canine bronchitis.
Body weight
Dogs who are overweight or obese are also at an increased risk of chronic bronchitis because excess body weight can compress their airways. If you are unsure whether your dog is overweight or obese, you can follow my three easy steps to determine your dog’s body condition score.
If your dog needs to lose weight, your veterinarian can help you formulate a weight loss plan. You can also find some helpful weight management tips in these articles: How to Help a Dog Lose Weight and Is My Dog Overweight?
Other medical conditions
Inherited conditions like ciliary dyskinesia, where abnormal cilia have difficulty effectively moving mucous, can also increase the risk of COPD. And if cancer is present in the lungs or has spread to a dog’s respiratory tract from elsewhere in the body, that dog may experience a lot of coughing.
What are the symptoms of chronic bronchitis in dogs?
The most common clinical sign associated with chronic bronchitis is coughing. Generally this is a dry cough. Dogs will sometimes gag at the end of a coughing fit, sounding like they are trying to cough something up.
This cough lasts at least a month, and may persist throughout the day or occur more at certain times. Typically excitement, like feeding time or when you get home from work, can exacerbate coughing fits.
Dogs with COPD may have a productive or non-productive cough that is present for two to three months or longer. Applying gentle pressure on the neck can often induce a cough.
To be clear, a dog coughing when pulling hard on the leash does not mean they have chronic bronchitis. Most dogs will cough and gag if they pull on their collar because the trachea is fairly superficial in the neck. Gentle tracheal pressure, such as lightly touching with your fingers, should not normally cause a cough.
Other signs of chronic bronchitis in dogs can include:
- Exercise intolerance—the dog becomes winded or tired very quickly
- A dog breathing fast—the dog has to breathe more quickly to take in enough oxygen
- Increased respiratory effort—the dog works harder to breathe
- Abdominal component to breathing—the dog’s belly may expand and contract in time with the chest
- Abnormal breathing sounds—honking or wheezing noises may be heard when breathing
- Respiratory distress—a medical emergency!
- Cyanosis—a purple or bluish tint to the gums due to lack of oxygen, also an emergency
If you think your dog is having trouble breathing, please contact your veterinarian immediately or head to the nearest emergency clinic for an emergency vet visit.
A coughing dog does not always mean chronic bronchitis
It is important to know that not every dog with a chronic cough has bronchitis. A dog’s cough may be caused by another disease, including:
- Heart failure
- Collapsing trachea
- Respiratory infection
- Some types of cancer
- Some parasites
In addition, chronic bronchitis typically does not cause a fever or other signs of illness like loss of appetite or weight loss. If your dog is experiencing these additional signs, there may be something else going on.
How is chronic bronchitis diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will get things started with a thorough physical examination. He or she will use a stethoscope to listen to your pup’s lung sounds, which should be audible yet clear. Any crackles or wheezes may suggest underlying lung disease. And because coughing can be caused by heart issues, your vet will also record your dog’s heart rate and rhythm during the physical exam in order to help rule out heart disease in dogs.
Laboratory testing
Next, your vet may move on to diagnostic testing, which is critical in order to rule out other disorders. Blood work, such as a complete blood count (CBC), can look at your furry friend’s red and white blood cell counts. An elevated white cell count may suggest infection.
He or she may also run a heartworm test to rule out heartworm disease in dogs since that is another cause of coughing. In rare cases, there are some parasites like the lungworm which can cause chronic coughing. To help diagnose lungworms, your vet may suggest a special fecal test.
X-rays
Chest X-rays are one of the most accurate methods for assessing a dog’s airways. A normal chest X-ray should have a black background (i.e. the lungs) around the white shadow of the heart and its surrounding vessels. An abnormal X-ray may show grey to white coloring in the area where the lungs are located. This can suggest inflammation, fluid build-up, or the presence of a tumor in the lung tissue.
Sometimes the edges of the bronchi may be thicker and more prominent or the bronchi are noticeably wider on chest X-rays of dogs with chronic bronchitis. However, in early chronic bronchitis, the X-rays may look completely normal.
Echocardiogram
Occasionally, the chest radiographs (i.e. X-rays) don’t clearly differentiate between lung disease and heart failure. If your vet suspects your dog may have heart disease, he or she may recommend an ultrasound of the heart (i.e. echocardiogram). This test is non-invasive and can be performed while your dog is awake.
An echocardiogram is not a primary diagnostic to test for chronic bronchitis, but rather is used to rule out heart disease, a very common cause of coughing in dogs. If a coughing dog has a normal echo, a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis may be more likely.
Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
Your veterinarian may also recommend bronchoscopy, which involves the use of a camera on the end of a small tube. The tube is inserted into your dog’s trachea while he or she is anesthetized. This allows the vet to fully visualize the insides of the airways. You may be familiar with this sort of testing as a type of “scope.”
In order to rule out different kinds of infection, your vet may recommend a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) during the bronchoscopy. To perform this test, the vet will insert a small amount of fluid into the bronchoscopy tube and then suction it back out of the airways.
Any bacteria, viruses, or fungi that are present in the airways should show up in the fluid sample once it is analyzed. A diagnostic lab can also evaluate the different cell populations in the fluid which can help diagnose the problem.
Once your vet has ruled out the other potential conditions with some of the testing mentioned above, he or she can diagnose your coughing dog with chronic bronchitis.
What is the treatment for chronic bronchitis in dogs?
Unfortunately, there is ultimately no cure for chronic bronchitis because the physical changes that lead to COPD are irreversible. Most treatment options aim to minimize inflammation and make breathing easier for your canine companion.
Management of an acute respiratory crisis
If you suspect your dog is having trouble breathing, you need to get him or her to your vet or your local emergency room right away. Typically, oxygen therapy is needed in cases of acute respiratory distress. Without it, your dog may be too unstable to move forward with any diagnostic testing.
Because respiratory crises are quite stressful, some dogs require mild sedation to calm them down. This helps improve their breathing capability. Panic can exacerbate respiratory distress.
In cases where the vet suspects bacterial infections as potential causes of respiratory distress, he or she may start injectable antibiotics. The vet may also use steroids like prednisone for dogs to reduce airway inflammation and/or bronchodilator medications like theophylline to open the airways. Some dogs require overnight hospitalization.
Long-term management of chronic bronchitis in dogs
Once your dog is beyond the acute phase of treatment, the focus of therapy will switch to what may help long-term. Besides addressing other potential issues like heart disease and obesity, your vet could prescribe various medications. These medications may include:
Cough suppressants
Medications such as hydrocodone or butorphanol act on cough receptors in the brain and can lessen the severity of a cough. However, if coughing is productive, suppressing the cough can make it harder for the dog to expel the mucus, leading to excess mucus accumulation. In those cases, cough suppressants may not be indicated.
Mucolytics
Medications like guaifenesin can thin out mucus secretions. The thinner mucus is easier for the dog to cough out.
Steroids
While systemic steroids like prednisone can confer anti-inflammatory benefits, long-term use can increase risk of side effects such as increased thirst in dogs, increased urination, weight gain, or gastrointestinal upset. Plus, prolonged steroid use can increase the risk of a dog developing diabetes mellitus or iatrogenic Cushing’s disease in dogs.
For these reasons, your vet might prescribe inhaled steroid like fluticasone instead. Through the use of a special mask called an AeroDawg, dogs can inhale aerosolized medications. This means the steroid can go right to the source of inflammation (i.e. the lungs) with lower risk of systemic side effects.
Bronchodilators
Dogs may also benefit from medications that increase the diameter of the airways. Theophylline works well for some dogs. Other dogs may benefit from inhaled albuterol delivered through the AeroDawg mask. However, bronchodilators are typically not effective as the only treatment measure.
Management may involve a combination of the medications listed above plus some steps that you can take at home.
Chronic bronchitis in dogs: home remedies
There aren’t any effective at-home therapies for helping a dog in an acute respiratory crisis. However, if your dog’s chronic bronchitis is stable, your vet may discuss some things you can do at home to help manage symptoms.
While some medications can be used with an AeroDawg chamber, others are better suited for nebulization. Nebulizer use for dogs can aerosolize saline, antibiotics, and steroids for inhalation. Your vet may be able to teach you how to use a nebulizer at home to medicate your dog.
Alternatively, some vets may recommend that you run hot water in the shower to create a steam-filled bathroom for your pup. When dogs breathe in the steam-filled air, it moisturizes their airways. This makes it easier for accumulated mucus to move out of the airways. Usually 10-15 minutes is enough to help.
Another at-home treatment your vet may recommend is coupage. This is where you place one cupped hand against one side of your pet’s chest. Then, you contact the side of your dog’s chest as if you were lightly tapping a drum. This technique can help bring mucus up from deep in his or her airways. You can think of it as patting someone on the back to help with a coughing fit.
Remember to discuss these techniques with your veterinarian prior to initiating any at-home treatments.
Environmental and dietary modifications
Finally, it can be helpful to reduce your dog’s exposure to airway irritants. Some of these include:
- Cigarette or other tobacco smoke
- Candles
- Air fresheners
- Perfume or strong scents
- Other aerosol products
Weight management is also very important for dogs with chronic bronchitis. Ensure that you are paying attention to your dog’s daily caloric intake and frequently monitoring his or her body condition score.
What is the outlook for dogs with chronic bronchitis?
Unfortunately, because the airway changes associated with pulmonary fibrosis and COPD are not reversible, prognosis for dogs with chronic bronchitis ranges from fair to poor.
Chronic bronchitis in dogs – life expectancy
Dogs with mild changes and fewer other concurrent health conditions tend to have a better prognosis and a longer life expectancy. On the other hand, hospitalized dogs who cannot breathe well without oxygen support have a poor prognosis and a shorter life expectancy. Overall, chronic bronchitis certainly shortens a dog’s life expectancy.
Patience and dedication are key
I understand that chronic bronchitis can be a frustrating condition for devoted dog parents. Unfortunately, it is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means your dog may end up needing a multitude of diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions.
It is understandable to feel like your vet has run a lot of tests and still doesn’t have an answer for you. However, keep in mind that knowing what is NOT causing the coughing does help get you and your dog one step closer to a final diagnosis.
Long term management may take a lot of trial and error when it comes to finding the right medications and techniques to help your dog. There is no quick and easy fix, and it can be hard to predict how individual dogs will respond to different treatment options.
Despite all this, with dedication and time, you may still be able to give your dog with chronic bronchitis a good quality of life! So please don’t lose hope when you are in the middle of the diagnostic process or trying to work on the kinks in the management plan. Be patient, be persistent in advocating for your dog, and partner with your veterinarian.
Have you shared your heart and home with a dog with chronic bronchitis?
Please share any tips or words of encouragement below.
My senior Shih Tzu is 13 years old and has had a wheezing couch for the past 5 months usually in the morning and at night. Prednisone was prescribed after multiple x-rays and has solved the issue and I’ve tried to slowly reduce the dosage (at the suggestion of my vet) to hopefully eliminate needing to take the prednisone. Every time I take slowly take him off his cough comes back. I don’t want him to be on it long term but fear we may have to. I’m worried about long term effects, but at this point may need to not worry given his age and it solving his problem. Other than the cough he’s healthy, has a good appetite and walks 3 miles a day. Is there such a thing as maintenance doses for long term?
Hi Lindsay,
I am sorry your senior pup is struggling with this chronic cough. I agree, sometimes the benefits of steroids outweigh the risks especially when dealing with palliative care and end of life situations. Long term maintenance dosing is aimed at finding the lowest dosage where the medication is still effective. If that means giving a reduced dose once daily or even every other day, you just have to find what works best for your boy. Please make sure your vet is aware of your concerns and wishes when it comes to changing the medication. They can partner with you to help find the best solution and monitor for any issues along the way. Hoping you can give your sweet boy the relief he needs. Best wishes to you both!
Hi – this column is very helpful. I have a six year old Ridgeback who was exposed to a dog with (easily resolved) kennel cough, started coughing herself, and hasn’t stopped. She was diagnosed with pneumonia after chest x-rays, and two months later, although her chest x-rays are far better and pretty clear, she is still coughing and sneezing occasionally throughout the day. It is worse when she gets excited or first wakes up; sometimes the cough is wet and sometimes dry, sometimes followed by retching. The part that confuses me is the sneezing and stuffy nose – she has had a lot of clear to white colored snot when sneezing. PCR negative, white blood cell count ok, no fevers ever, bloodwork ok…just can’t shake this “head cold.” She has been on a variety of antibiotics, bronchodialators, and meds to clear mucus, from four different vets, all of whom are stumped. Her appetite is fine and she seems perky but does not have her normal stamina (she is going to be seven in march though). I am stumped, and now wondering if it could be chronic bronchitis, which no vet has mentioned yet, Thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Krista,
Goodness, your girl has been through so much in such a short period of time. I am sorry you are still left with more questions than answers despite all the testing and treatment that has been done. I too am puzzled as to what the cause could be. Chronic inflammation could definitely be contributing to the issue, and bronchitis is a big possibility. Is your girl currently taking anything to treat inflammation (steroids, Cerenia, NSAIDs, etc.)? Praying you can find the right combination of things to which her body will finally respond. Wishing you the best of luck and don’t lose hope!
Angel, is our Siberian Husky which we had since she was 4 months old. We had her Spayed at 7.5 months. After a week she suddenly woke us up with an intense cough, rapid breathing, gaging and finally spitting up white foamy mucus. This went on for a couple weeks before taking her to the vet. She’s been on antibiotics twice, and prednisone once before her 1st Birthday last month. I began giving her Manuka honey and by the 3rd day she was spitting up mucus everywhere. I thought it was better to come out since her lungs were filled, according to xray. My boyfriend decided to bring her back to the vet and they now have her on prednisone again. Steroids, nor the antibiotics seemed to do anything as soon as she was off it, but I’m still giving her a daily tsp of honey. I’m constantly stressed, worried, and terrified at the thought of losing my baby but if anyone knows if this could just be a really bad kennel cough or something else please help. She’s been like this 5 months now and she loves to run but we don’t take her out much anymore. I love her like a child I never had and have considered dandelion essence if anyone can recommend a particular brand.
Hi Victoria,
I am sorry Angel is dealing with these severe respiratory issues and understand why you are worried. It may be time to pursue more in-depth investigation. Has your vet mentioned the possibility of referring Angel to a specialist? Someone from internal medicine may have ideas about other testing that needs to be done or recommendations for treatments that haven’t been tried yet. Has a fungal infection been ruled out? Is Angel’s blood work normal? Hoping you can get some answers and find a way to offer your sweet girl relief and restore her quality of life. Don’t give up hope and feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Best wishes to you both.
Our 9-11 year old Terrier Mix was first diagnosed with a collapsed trachea. Treated with antibiotics and steroids, took her back to the vet and the initial diagnosis was reversed and the vet said it was chronic bronchitis. She’s been on steroids and antibiotics and just finished but she now is wheezing and has only had 1 full day of the cough suppressant subscribed. She’s no longer our spunky full of life and energy little girl, we are waiting on a callback from the vet now but wanted to hear others experiences.
Dear Sandra,
I am sorry your senior girl is having these ongoing breathing issues. I understand your concern and hope your vet is able to find a quick solution. Praying for answers and a clear path forward. Bless you and your sweet girl.
My Dalmatian has been coughing and sounds like kennel cough with the gagging, I have taken him to the vet and she put him on carprofen and amoxicillin also gave him a cough medicine and said it was bronchitis induced by barking. The medicine seemed to help for about a week and has lessened his coughing but every morning he still has the gagging cough. He is heart worm negative and had his check while we were there so he’s otherwise relatively healthy he’s very active and still has energy other than his persistent cough. I’m wondering what I can do to help this go away?
Hi Heather,
I am sorry your Dalmatian is dealing with this chronic cough. While bronchitis may be the culprit, I do think it would be wise to pursue more in-depth testing to ensure nothing else is contributing. Without examining your boy myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions or recommendations. You might want to talk to your vet about x-rays. It would be good to rule out the possibility of a lung tumor or other conditions such as laryngeal paralysis. Hoping for clear answers and an easy way to offer relief. Wishing you and your sweet boy all the best!
I have a rescue small breed puppy (she was 9 weeks when we got her and is now 15 weeks) who has been having that short coughs followed by a gag, usually at night or first thing in the morning. We tried antibiotics, and prednisone. It was all gone thru the steroid treatment but I’m noticing after 3 days of coming off it that it’s starting to come back. Her weight, energy and everything else looks great…it’s just that cough, it’s worrying me. I go see my vet again in 2 days again for puppy shots and will have to let him know that it’s coming back (maybe once a day to twice a day). What could this be? I’m really hoping we can treat it.
Hi Angie,
I am sorry your puppy is having issues with coughing and gagging. Without examining her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. But in young puppies I am always suspicious of something developmental or congenital/genetic. Besides ruling out the possibility of infection, it may be a good idea to take some x-rays. This can help with a diagnosis, especially if megaesophagus is present or there are any abnormalities with the heart and great vessels. What did your vet find during the exam yesterday? Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Best wishes to you both!
Hi!
My 3 year old chocolate lab has had a wet mucusy cough for about a month now. She’ll have heavy, wet coughing spells and then gag immediately after and sometimes spit up mucus. I know that’s not technically chronic at this point but we cannot find her any relief so far. We tried doxy first for 10 days with no response, then we switched to clavacillin, tamaril p, and baytril still to no response. She even had an episode where she threw up a large amount of slime yellowish mucus. We did chest X-rays to rule out more serious causes (I also have a close friend who’s a vet and offered to take a look at the X-rays to see if anything was missed) we’re going to be going back for my testing. She’s never boarded, at dog parks, or interacts with other dogs other than our boy and he’s healthy and happy (also never boarded or goes to dog parks and we don’t allow him in contact with other dogs with this mysterious respiratory disease going on) the X-rays showed inflamed and irritated bronchi. I’m worried about her long term health if we can’t figure out a treatment plan soon.
Hi Hannah,
Goodness this is such a puzzling situation. It sounds like your vet has been very thorough with testing and proactive with treatment. I wish I had some great advice or could tell you how to proceed. The only other idea I can offer is to talk to your vet about a referral to a specialist. An internal medicine specialist will have access to more advanced testing such as a transtracheal wash or endoscopy. You could also look into more alternative treatments with a holistic vet (Traditional Chinese Medicine). Hoping you can get some answers and find the best way to offer your sweet boy relief. Feel free to keep us updated on any new developments. Bless you and your pup.
Thank you for this article. I’ve been managing my dog’s chronic bronchitis for just over 3 years now with all the above recommendations. Unfortunately he has Cushing’s Disease also so some of them are not recommended such as prednisone although I’m at the stage where I think his quality of life in the short term is more important so willing to treat the bronchitis over and above the Cushing’s. We have tried small doses previously. We seemingly ruled out an enlarged heart but as the problem seems to be mainly at night or when he’s lying down I’m not sure if we were wrong. We tried him on diuretics also at some point and I recall it helping slightly.
The issue is now he has an enlarged gallbladder and vet recommended surgery although has been hesitant about it due to his condition and also he is a rescue so not sure of his age. I’m not sure I’m ready to risk it. He’s been on aerodawg and nebulisers / humidifiers for over 2 years now.
Is it time to treat the bronchitis over the Cushing’s? I don’t know.
Hi Sam,
Goodness, this is such a difficult situation. It is hard to know how to proceed when dealing with so many issues at once. Honestly, with complicated cases I like to reach out to the specialists for advice. You could have your vet talk to a local internal medicine specialist and see if they can offer some guidance. I think it is wise you are giving his quality of life so much consideration. It may be time to focus on palliative care to ensure your boy’s final days are happy and comfortable. Praying for clarity and a clear path forward. Best wishes to you and yours. ♥
Hi! I’m hope I’m not to late, as the last post was over a year ago. I have 2 pups from the same litter. They are Pitsky’s (Pit & Huskey Mix). They will be 3 years old this Dec. They are inseparable. Sleep, eat, play together, even get crated together (their choice). Slyla is perfect fine. Nikko has had a cough for going on almost a year now! Sometimes it’s just a what I call a huff.. multiple times in a row.. Sometimes it’s loud hacks with a gag that causes him to cough up a foamy mucus. It can go on for hours some days. The cough or huff seems to always be there. He still eats, drinks and plays completely normally. He’s not low on energy and has no other symptoms. My vet is at a loss.. she said if he were a small dog she would be worried about a collapsed trachea. But she checked and that not it. It’s also not contagious (kennel cough) or Skyla would have it as well. We did the cough suppressant and prednisone.. it seemed like it may have worked during use.. but it’s hard to tell. I’ve also tried to give him honey to coat his throat is hopes that it would help.. but as I said.. Sometimes it’s gaging and others it’s like one huff here and one huff there. But it is constantly happening to him.. He doesn’t do it as much when he’s asleep. I’ve come to the conclusion he may be allergic to dogs 😕.. We can’t figure it out! Any suggestions?
Sherrie
Hi Sherrie,
Thank you for reaching out about Nikko’s cough. I understand your concern and agree it is very puzzling. Without examining your boy, myself, it is hard to make specific recommendations. Has he been evaluated for heart disease/enlarged heart? It might be worthwhile to have some chest x-rays taken just to rule out the possibility of a primary lung issue such as a tumor. Also, I would want to rule out laryngeal paralysis even though he is not the typical breed that is seen with this condition. There are just the first things that come to mind. I hope you can get some answers and ensure your sweet boy lives a long happy life. Wishing you the best of luck. Keep up the good work!
Sherrie I’m going through the same thing. My dog CeCe coughs/gags every day, she’s been on multiple medications, seen three vets, she’s had xrays, blood work, a scope and they can’t find anything wrong. She is taking Tussigan now, and at least that helps her get some rest. It’s exhausting when they are having trouble and you don’t know what to do. My vet checked for “blasto”, and Myasthenia Gravis. Maybe you can ask your vet.
Dear Christina,
I am sorry CeCe is struggling with a chronic cough. Thank you for sharing your experience and offering up those great suggestions of diseases to test for. Wishing you and your girl all the best and praying for her comfort and happiness.
omg. I am in this same exact situation. help..
Dear Cassius,
I am sorry you are facing a similar situation with your own pup. I hope you can partner with your vet to decide on the best course of action. Praying for clear answers and a positive outcome.
Our senior beagle has been battling chronic bronchitis for the past couple years. It’s gotten worse and it’s really hard on everyone. Nobody gets good sleep. We’ve tried many medications. Currently doing hydrocodone, cough suppressant tabs, and theophylline. We were also given a liquid to use in the nebulizer. We aren’t sure often we should nebulize and for how long per session? He’s also started urinating and defecating in his sleep at night only 🙁 He was briefly on temaril-P which we assume might have caused the accidents? It’s a very trying and upsetting time for us trying to figure out if anything can help. Not sure at what point we say he’s had enough.
Dear Julie,
I am sorry your Beagle is suffering from this chronic disease. I can only imagine how emotional it is to watch him struggle and not have a way to offer more relief. Yes, I would think the steroid in the Temaril-P probably caused the incontinence. It is also possible that your dog is in the early stages of dementia/cognitive dysfunction and that could be contributing to the problem. I am not sure how to advise you in the use of the nebulizer. These treatments are very subjective and there really are no definite rules on how to use them with dogs. Your best bet is to talk to your vet or ask about a consultation with a specialist. I will attach links to other articles with information on how to know when it is time to say goodbye. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
I am so glad to read this column Dr. Buzby and all of the messages by people regarding chronic Bronchitis in their doggies. we have a 12 year old golden retriever that has chronic bronchitis just diagnosed and have her on doxicycline and prednisone. nothing is helping. reading this column is wonderful and there maybe more things to try. we are heart broken 😭
Hi Patricia,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this difficult path with your senior Golden. I am glad the article was helpful and offered some new things to discuss with your vet. Hoping there are possibilities that can be explored, and you will find the miracle fix for your pup. Don’t give up hope. Your sweet boy is lucky to have you advocating for his health and well-being. Stay strong and keep up the good work! ♥
I have two English Bulldogs ages 9 & 11. For several years Henry has had, what is believed to be allergy related respiratory infections. He usually takes antibiotics and improves, until the next time. We have moved to Middle TN from Seattle two years ago. His “episodes” are now happening approximately every 3 months.
My girl, Mildred would occasionally have such issues. Since we have lived here they occur at least two or three times per year. Antibiotics seem to help, but it seems the symptoms (rattly cough with large amounts of mucous) don’t completely resolve, even after two rounds.
Would low-dose steroids be appropriate? It is frustration, expensive, and makes me feel bad for them.
Any advice is welcome.
Jayne
Hi Jayne,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with both of your Bulldogs. Low dose steroids might be helpful, but I usually prefer to use them during a flare up instead of chronically to try and avoid some of the side effects. Does there seem to be a pattern to the time of year these breathing troubles occur? If they can be somewhat predicted, you may be able to initiate therapy to lessen the symptoms or avoid a flare up all together. Have you talked to your vet about a bronchodilator? Some dogs do great with a nebulizer or other such treatments. I hope you can find the therapies that will give your pups the most relief. Wishing you all nothing but the best.
Our Old English sheepdog/boxer mix is 9.5 years old and has been battling aspirational pneumonia and Chronic Bronchitis for the last year. It has been an extremely trying time. Exhausting, emotional, just A LOT. My girl saved my life and the thought of losing her and not doing the most to take care of her makes me sick. We’ve had many sleepless nights, are over 20k dollars into this and we’re still among trial and error. While we’ve almost resolved it a couple of times, she has not had a single day without a cough since last April.
She’s seeing an internist, though her last 9 months have been up and down – we have terrible months (emergency vet visits for oxygen) and great months (1 or 2 coughs a day). Boy is it a rollercoaster. She is a happy girl – playful and has so much life to live, so we can’t give up on her – it’s not her time yet. She’s also developed reverse sneezing.
That being said, she has gotten the lavage – all the testing – has been on enroflaxacin and pred – though, oddly, the pred makes her WORSE. Has anyone heard of this? She had the BEST month and we started her on pred a couple of days ago based on internist opinion to see if we could kick the cough all together and within 24 hours, she was back to coughing terribly. Any ideas? I just don’t understand 😩
Hi Devin,
Goodness I am so sorry for all you and your sweet girl have been through over the past year. I too am a bit puzzled about why the prednisone would have caused her coughing to worsen. Unfortunately, I am not sure I have any new ideas or therapies to suggest. It sounds like the specialist you have been seeing has been extremely thorough and is trying their best to give your pup the best quality of life possible. My only other idea would be to investigate more eastern medicine. Is there a veterinarian in your area that practices Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques? It might be worth a shot to try some herbal supplements or acupuncture that they could recommend. I pray you find the best way to advocate for your dog’s health and wellbeing. You are doing a great job. There is always hope!
My 13 year old husky was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis last May. After the initial flare-up resolved with 6 weeks of tapered prednisone, he has been doing much better for two reasons, I think: first I got an air purifier in my bedroom. I can literally hear the effect of him breathing in pure air. He will start out sounding raspy, and after about a half hour, his breathing quiets and relaxes. By morning his breathing is completely quiet. I have also had him on a supplement called Lung Gold, which he takes directly from the dropper because it is bacon flavored. I don’t know if this helps, but I think so. He has coughing episodes a couple times a week. Also, outdoor air quality seems to have an effect. I try to keep him inside on bad air quality days. So far, so good.
Hi Roswitha,
Thanks for sharing your dog’s story and what is working well for him. I’m so thankful that the air purifier and Lung Gold supplement have made such a difference for him. Great job coming up with those solutions and paying attention to the outdoor air quality. I hope those measure keep working for him for a long time!
Hi! Not sure if this is allowed here, but would love to chat via email with others that have huskies with coughing/chronic bronchitis, reverse sneezing, etc. Dealing with this now…not 100% convinced with everything, but definitely have had every test done, every antibiotic on the market, and feel like I’m back to square one. Only test not done was the Rhinoscopy. Everything started so suddenly! I’m glad I read about another individual that said prednisone made it worse. I ‘m in that same boat. Thought it was a little crazy, and the internal medicine vet has never really heard of prednisone doing the opposite, but here we are. For being a bigger dog, she is so sensitive to medications. Working on using the AeroDawg with inhaler, which is interesting, especially on a 4-year-old Husky:) Even trying the home cooking route to rule out food allergy…. staying diligent with environmental situations as best you can in Florida:)
Hi Patty,
Networking is definitely allowed and encouraged! I hope this site is a place where our readers can come together to give advice and support. Praying you find some answers for your Husky girl, and she will start feeling better soon!
Hi Devin,
I came by this thread when looking up ideas for my dog with chronic bronchitis. Originally we put him on Prednisone and it made him worse but then he was put on a few antibiotics and when we tried the prednisone it worked. The vet said if there is an underlying infection the Prednisone could exacerbate the cough. I was very hesitant to try prednisone again but glad I did. He is now on the inhaled Flucatisone., was able to ween off the pred. I’m noticing some coughing more the last week so looking into out of the box ideas. I certainly am not a vet but is it possible the antibiotic you have used is not effective and you need another kind to eradicate an infection before giving the pred?
My little 9 y /o pit mix came to us from the shelter with chronic bronchitis, but in the last month it’s really flared up. He coughs a wet cough all the time. The vet did x-rays and said he has bronchial thickening and a partial trachial collapse. We give him Theophylline every day and we just had him on antibiotics, both of which don’t help much. We do have hydrocodone which works well but I can’t give it to him often because it’s constipating.
Our last option was the AeroDawg but he refuses to allow it. He’s only 37 lbs. but is so strong and wiggly that he breaks free before we can get the mask on him. He moves his head constantly to avoid the mask too. Any ideas?
Hi Tee,
I am sorry your little guy is having so much trouble with his bronchitis. If he doesn’t like the Aerodawg because of the contact to his face, maybe a nebulizer would be an option? You may want to think about scheduling a consult with a specialist. Sometimes they have access to other treatments or therapies that can be cost prohibitive in general practice. Another idea would be to talk to a holistic vet or one that practices alternative medicine. There could be a supplement or herb that might have great benefits for your pup. I am hopeful you can find the right combination of things to get your dog comfortable and restore his quality of life. Bless you for sharing your life with this special guy. ♥
Dear Julie,
Thank you for this articule , My four year old standard poodle coughs dry heavy coughs during walks with leash around the neck for my control as well as when trying to play fetch without a lesh in the yard. I have told two vets about this issue was too worried about it after a physical said to use a gentle leader to help the trachia. I think the dog has a major problem has most of the symptoms you list
Hi Bonnie,
I understand your concern about these heavy coughing episodes in your pup. While bronchitis may be a possibility, it would not be first on my list of conditions to test for or rule out. Chronic bronchitis is more common in older dogs and usually small or toy breeds. You could talk to your vet and request x-rays to make sure the lungs and heart look normal and there is no obvious narrowing of the trachea. If any abnormalities are found, your vet may recommend a consult with a specialist. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for. Wishing you the best of luck.
My rescue Basset Hound developed chronic bronchitis and has been on long term temeril p and we added diphenoxylate atrop, which helped us cut down the temeril p. He is breaking out in cysts that rupture and bleed all over his body. His hind end is getting wobbly…the steroids are destroying him. What can I do…its killing me to watch him decline. He’s approximately 9 years old but we are not sure as he’s a rescue. Thanks. Janice
Hi Janice,
My heart goes out to you and this most difficult situation you are in with your senior boy. It sounds like you are doing everything you can, and his health is still declining. Since I have not personally examined your dog, I can’t make specific recommendations. It might be a good idea to schedule a consult with a veterinary internal medicine specialist. They have lots of experience dealing with complicated cases like your pup seems to be. They may have ideas about other treatments or therapies to try that can be less readily available in general practice. I hope you can find the right combination of things to help give your sweet boy some relief from his struggles. Also, and I say this with love, sometimes saying goodbye can be the only option to give a beloved dog peace and rest. I don’t know if your pup is at a place where this decision should be considered, but I wanted to mention it in case it should come to that soon. Praying for a positive outcome. Bless you both.
My doggo has just been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. It’s heartbreaking for me.
I was wondering if it’s ok to continue her daily walk. She gets so bored but I can’t stand watch her panting so I bring her back home.
Thanks for a great informative article.
Hi Debbie,
I am sorry your girl is struggling with bronchitis. I understand you wanting to be careful with exercise as it could give her more breathing difficulties and worsen her cough. I think the daily walks are still a good idea. Just make sure you save the walks for the cooler parts of the day (early morning and evening) and keep the pace fairly slow. If she does start to pant heavily then I would end the walk and return home.
I have an elderly small mix dog that has chronic bronchitis. He has had it now since may of 2021. He is on medication. His cough has never went away and now is worse. The medication doesn’t seem to be as effective. The only time he doesn’t cough is mostly when he is asleep or lying still. Does anyone has any advice on treating his cough. It breaks my heart to see him cough so much…Thanks.
Hi Judy,
I am sorry your little pup isn’t responding to the medications as well as you had hoped. Since the coughing has become more severe, I recommend you talk to your vet about this new development. It might be a good idea to repeat x-rays or lab work and make sure nothing has changed. It also might be a good idea to talk to a veterinary internal medicine specialist and see if they have any additional recommendations for treatments to try. I hope you can find the answers you need to get your sweet boy comfortable and stable. Wishing you both the best and good luck.
This is first-rate info. Unfortunately, my dog has Cushing’s Disease and has developed a pot belly along with that chronic bronchial cough when she drinks water and when she runs. She loves to run our long hallway and, despite the wheezing and bronchial cough a the end of the run, I let her do it. She seems to want and need that running exercise. She will not walk far but will run to get home ASAP.
The Cushing’s has complicated her health and now I’m having a discussion with my dog ‘s Vet about my pet’s neurological signs of possible Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (aka Alzheimer’s in humans.). We don’t know if the CCD signs are caused by a new and possible macroadenoma of the pituitary gland or are related to whatever causes (CCD) in dogs. In either event, my 14-year-old 1/2-chihuahua mix (her chihuahua side is the ‘bad half’ – she’s a tough little dog) has limited life years ahead.
I doubt that much can be done at this point in my dog’s declining health but the few recommendations I see in the article are definitely worth my consideration.
Many thanks for this article.
Hi Janet,
Thank you for the kind words about the article. I am sorry your senior girl is dealing with so many issues but glad to hear she is still happy and full of life. I will attach a link to an article about CCD that may offer additional information. I hope you can make the most out of the time you have left with your sweet girl. Wishing you both many more happy memories together!
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
Hi Dr. Buzby,
My Havapo was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis in September 2022. She is a rescue about 4 ot 5 years old. She responds well to a very low dose of prednisone, but once we taper her off, she develops the cough again. I was concerned about the long term effects of prednisone. I also took my dog to an internal medicine vet just to see if she might suggest other options. Bloodwork and other tests were done, and so far no ill effects from the prednisone. Both my vet, whom I trust greatly, and the internest seem to think I should stay on the low dose prednisone, and taper off each time as advised. They both feel the dose is very low and she is doing well on it. They both also talked about the Aerodog, but mentioned many dogs do not sit still for the treatment. What are you thoughts on the very low dose prednisone with tapering each course? Should I try a brochiodilator instead?
Thank you very much for your help! I am very glad to find this article.
Hi Elaine,
I understand your concern for your girl and think it is great you are searching for ways to help her. I too am not a huge fan of long-term prednisone usage, but with such a low dose this could be the best option. I like to defer to the specialists. So, if this is what they think is best, I am inclined to agree. The Aerodog may be worth trying. Hopefully it would work well enough that the prednisone would not be needed or at least needed less frequently. I am not sure about the cost associated with one of the Aerodog units and am aware that it could be a financial strain. I wish I could be more help. Hoping you will find the advice you need to feel confident with the choices you are facing. Best wishes and good luck!