Yes, dogs can get bronchitis.
Bronchitis in dogs is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes that can be caused by several reasons. If not treated in time, it can be fatal for them.
The main causes of bronchitis in dogs, in most cases, can be limited to periods of cold (for example, a wet dog exposed to the wind).
But can also be associated with smoke, air pollution, internal parasites such as heartworm, asthma, dust, toxic fumes and more.
Type of bronchitis in dogs
Canine bronchitis can be acute or chronic.
Acute bronchitis has a short duration and airway lesions are usually reversible, unlike chronic bronchitis, which can last for two months.
Acute bronchitis usually means that it has been caused by parasites or an infection, It is also known as acute tracheobronchitis or kennel cough. It is a group of highly contagious respiratory diseases found in dogs, especially among kennels.
Chronic bronchitis is characterizes as an acute inflammatory response of the inside of the smaller airways. It usually affects middle-aged dogs, and it is very important to prevent it as it causes damage to the lungs that can be permanent.
Bronchitis in dogs: symptoms
Bronchitis in dogs is an inflammation of the bronchi quite common in small breeds.
The consequences and symptoms of bronchitis in dogs are similar to those suffered by people. The symptoms of bronchitis are:
- Cough
- Dry throat
- Excessive salivation
- General feeling of exhaustion
- Exercise intolerance
- Altered lung sounds (this is detected by veterinarians)
- Fever
- Sneezing
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Apatia
Other symptoms are loss of appetite, due to discomfort and because respiratory diseases can affect their sense of smell.
But be careful, if your dog does not eat well during this stage of the disease, his recovery will be slower, so you must make him eat.
Although not in all these cases the same symptoms appear, so, if you consider that your dog has any of these ailments, take him to the veterinarian to start treating him as soon as possible.
Treatments for bronchitis in dogs.
The best thing to do is to take the dog to the veterinarian. Depending on the characteristics of the dog and the environment in which it lives, the veterinarian should select the most effective therapy for dog bronchitis.
Treatment may be essential and intensive in acute cases, but only for a short time. Chronic bronchitis may require long-term therapy and numerous medication adjustments. If the veterinarian suspects disease, he will prescribe an antibiotic.
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