COPD Disease in Dogs

COPD, or COLD as it's sometimes referred to, is chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease. It's also known as chronic bronchitis, bronchiolitis and small airway disease. COPD is the persistent inflammation of one or more bronchi, the tubes that pass air to the lungs from the trachea or windpipe. It's common in small and toy breeds but also observed in large dogs. West Highland white terriers and cocker spaniels suffer long-term complications. COPD mostly affects middle-aged and older animals and in most cases its cause is unknown.

  1. Symptoms

    • Dogs with COPD exhibit coughing, tachypnea (fast breathing), shortness of breath, intermittent gagging (often misinterpreted as vomiting), wheezing, anorexia, depression and fever. The dog's cough gets worse with exercise and it may be exacerbated at variable times of the day. Dogs that are severely affected become cyanotic with exertion, getting a blue tinge to their gums and tongues. They may faint after coughing spells.

    Medical Problems With Similar Symptoms

    • Similar symptoms are connected with numerous other medical problems. Diseases that can appear similar to COPD include aspiration (inhaling) from chronic esophageal disease, bacterial or fungal bronchopneumonia, congestive heart failure, a foreign body obstruction, heartworm disease, inflammatory lung disease, lung worm infection, pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis (formation of fibrous tissue in the lungs), pulmonary neoplasia (lung tumors) and tracheal (windpipe) collapse. Diagnostic testing confirms the presence or absence of COPD.

    Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian will listen to the dog's heart and lungs. The lungs are often abnormal while the heart is usually fine. Palpation (feeling) of the windpipe usually elicits coughing. Obesity is common with COPD-affected dogs. Investigation of the dog's medical history focuses on his appetite, activity or exercise intolerance, type of cough and his environmental exposure to dusts, smoke and vapors. Tests may include chest x-rays and cytology and culture of the dog's sputum (spit, usually saliva mixed with mucus or pus). Some dogs require arterial blood gas and blood tests and an electrocardiogram.

    Treatment

    • The dog's therapy and treatment is guided by the cytology and culture of his sputum, by the extent of radiographic changes, for example pneumonia, and by his response to therapy. COPD can be a severe and progressive condition that causes great difficulty breathing. The basis for long-term therapy includes continuous intermittent antibiotic or corticosteroid therapy, the use of bronchodilator medications, cough medicines and basic supportive care of the dog's respiratory system.

    Home Care

    • COPD home care has no specific protocol. Dog owners can, however, work towards keeping their dogs more comfortable. Dogs shouldn't be permitted to get out of breath and should be exercised only up to their tolerance levels. They should be walked with a harness instead of a restraint collar, provided a vaporizer to inhale humidified air and taken promptly to the veterinarian for treatment of cavities and dental disease. Obese dogs should be placed on a veterinarian-guided diet and their owners must minimize environmental irritants such as house dust, vapors, chemical fumes and tobacco smoke. The Vet Connect website advises, "It is important that owners understand that chronic bronchitis is, by definition, an incurable disease, and complete suppression of all coughing is an unattainable goal."