Dogs suffer breathing difficulties due to many causes. Some, such as infections, may be short term and curable through the use of medications. Other disorders, such as allergies and asthma, are likely to continue throughout the dog's life but are manageable through appropriate treatments.
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Antihistamines
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Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamines, which cause many of the symptoms in allergies and asthma. They are available as an inexpensive, over-the-counter medication. In severe cases, your veterinarian may want to prescribe a stronger variety of antihistamine.
Antibiotics
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Antibiotics can be used to treat many respiratory illnesses caused by bacteria. A culture of the lung or bronchial tissue will be taken to determine the type of bacteria present. The result of the culture will determine which antibiotic is prescribed.
Corticosteroids
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Steroids are effective in treating chronic bronchitis in dogs. They act by decreasing inflammation and the volume of mucus produced in the bronchial airways.
Anti-fungal Medications
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Anti-fungal medications are used to treat stubborn fungal infections. These medications are expensive and can be dangerous, so treatment by a veterinarian with specialized knowledge in respiratory diseases is preferred. Fungal diseases of the respiratory organs are potentially contagious to humans.
Cough Suppressants
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Cough suppressants help to calm the cough reflex in dogs. Your veterinarian may prescribe a human cough suppressant, or a stronger, canine-specific formulation. These stronger formulations are usually narcotic-based and given for short durations. Cough suppressants should only be used to calm the airways in the case of dry, non-productive coughs. Coughs that are producing mucous should not be suppressed, as elimination of the mucous is beneficial to healing.
Vaporizers
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As with humans, vaporizers can be used for a dog suffering congestion due to a respiratory disorder. Placing the dog in a small room with the vaporizer is effective in opening up the nasal passages. Vaporizers are used for the purpose of reducing symptoms while waiting for other treatments to relieve or cure the disorder.
Oxygen
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Oxygen is administered by a veterinarian and usually used in emergency situations when a dog's breathing difficulty is not allowing enough oxygen to enter his bloodstream. It is difficult to use since the dog must be confined to an incubator or allow a nose cone to be attached to his muzzle.
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