Dog Bronchitis Symptoms

Dog bronchitis is defined as the chronic inflammation of a dog's lungs and bronchial tubes. The pulmonary inflammation associated with dog bronchitis often leads to the secretion of extra mucus from the lungs, causing the dog considerable discomfort. In addition to inflammation and mucus secretion, there may also be changes in the formation of the dog's pulmonary tract and lungs. These changes can alter airflow in the respiratory system, making breathing all the more difficult. Dog bronchitis usually affects small to medium-sized breeds that are over one year of age.

The causes of dog bronchitis are not always known. Although it is difficult to determine what causes dog bronchitis, researchers have pointed to certain factors that may lead to the disease. One such factor includes pollutants in the dog's environment such as cigarette smoke and urban pollution. These pollutants can irritate the pulmonary airways, in some cases leading to chronic respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis. Another factor that might contribute to dog bronchitis is a viral or bacterial infection that weakens the dog's immune system. If a dog frequently experiences viral or bacterial infections, there is a chance that a suppressed immune system will not protect the dog from contracting bronchitis.

A dog with bronchitis will exhibit a number of varied symptoms. These symptoms are not exclusive to a diagnosis of dog bronchitis as they may also indicate various other canine illnesses. One of the most notable symptoms of dog bronchitis includes persistent coughing. Because bronchitis causes the secretion of extra mucus, a dog will usually experience frequent coughing fits in an attempt to clear the pulmonary airways. A dog with bronchitis may also experience shortness of breath and faster breathing than usual. Breathing may be labored because of the altered airflow within the dog's pulmonary system. Additional symptoms associated with dog bronchitis include wheezing, loss of appetite, frequent gagging and sometimes fever.

If a dog exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, there is a chance that the dog has contracted another illness that has similar symptoms with dog bronchitis. For example, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath may also be symptoms of a type of pneumonia or other sort of lung disease. Symptoms associated with dog bronchitis may also be indicative of a host of other canine illnesses, including: lungworm or heartworm infection, lung tumors or tissue buildup in the lungs, and collapse of the windpipe. In order to know whether the symptoms your dog is displaying are due to dog bronchitis or another canine illness, it is best to visit a veterinarian to secure a proper diagnosis.

Effective treatment of dog bronchitis is often focuses on three main areas. First, it is important to keep dogs away from those risk factors that tend to make bronchitis worse. These risk factors include environmental pollutants like cigarette smoke, dust and pollution in major urban areas. Second, a dog's weight is a very important factor in controlling the effects of bronchitis. Obese dogs with bronchitis usually display much more severe symptoms than average-weight dogs with bronchitis. Keeping a dog's weight under control will inevitably lead to less discomfort. Finally, there are a number of medical treatments that can be administered to dogs with canine illnesses, including bronchitis. For example, veterinarians can prescribe cough suppressants to dogs in order to ease their discomfort due to persistent coughing. Veterinarians may also choose to prescribe anti-inflammation medicine, such as prednisone, to lessen the irritation in the pulmonary tract and lungs. Again, treatment varies by individual dog, and the best way to know which treatment is appropriate is to visit a veterinarian and discuss the various medical options.