Dog Bronchitis Symptoms
Dog bronchitis is the inflammation of a dog's lungs, or more specifically, of the bronchi that send air to the lungs, and is often accompanied by an excessive secretion of mucus. It is more common in small to medium-size breeds. It can be of short duration, responding quickly to treatment, or it can last 2 to 3 months and result in permanent damage to the airways.
-
Symptoms
-
The most common symptom of dog bronchitis is persistent coughing. Other symptoms include fast breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, fever and intermittent gagging. The dog may also exhibit loss of appetite and depression.
Severe Symptoms
-
In severe cases, the dog may show worse symptoms with exercise and can sometimes faint after coughing.
-
Considerations
-
There are other diseases that have similar symptoms. These include pneumonia, congestive heart failure and heartworm. Additionally, the symptoms could be signs of aspiration or a foreign body lodged in the throat.
Diagnosis
-
In order to diagnose dog bronchitis, your veterinarian will take a chest X-ray. In some cases, your veterinarian may need to take samples of fluid and cells from the lungs. A laboratory can then determine if bacteria or parasites are present. This procedure is done under anesthesia.
Causes
-
The cause is not always evident. Aside from bacteria or parasites, it could be caused by cigarette smoke, dusts, sprays or pollution.
Treatment
-
In order to treat your dog for dog bronchitis, it is important to remove her from factors that can exacerbate the illness, such as cigarette smoke, dusts, sprays or pollution. Her weight also plays a role in treatment. If she is obese, her symptoms will be more severe. Your veterinarian can also prescribe cough suppressants and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Warning
-
Persistent coughing can be a sign of a very serious illness or medical emergency. Be sure to consult your veterinarian.
-
