Chronic bronchitis is a pulmonary disease that can affect dogs as well as humans. It is one of the most common airway disorders that can affect dogs. This condition is characterized by a chronic cough.
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Identification
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Canine chronic bronchitis (CB) is an airway disorder that causes inflammation of the airway. This can cause the dog to have a chronic cough and excess mucus. This condition affects primarily older dogs.
Symptoms
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The symptoms of CB are chronic cough, gagging or choking. This is due to the excess mucus that is produced. Some dogs may not be able to exercise due to airway inflammation, but others may not show any symptoms other than a chronic cough.
Diagnostic Testing
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The diagnosis of CB is based on the cough the dog is experiencing, so diagnostic testing is only used to rule out other causes of chronic cough. These may include heart worms, heart failure, pneumonia, or tumors in the lung.
Treatment
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One of the most widely used treatments of CB is corticosteroids, which may help to reduce inflammation of the airway. Bronchodilators may also be helpful in treating CB, as well as cough suppressants.
Considerations
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CB is a progressive disease for which there is no cure. It is possible, however, to reduce the symptoms to a manageable level.
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