Chronic Bronchitis usually affects middle aged dogs. It is an acute inflammatory reaction of the interior of the smaller airways. If your dog is coughing more than two months, you must consider that he may have chronic Bronchitis. Usually the cause is unknown but sometimes it’s preceded by kennel cough.  The main symptom is a harsh, dry unproductive cough. Coughing is triggered by exercise and excitement. There’s gagging and a foamy saliva that can be seen and sometimes this is confused with vomiting.  If you notice these symptoms, take your dog to the vet for a checkup. Prolonging it will make matters worse. The diagnostic work-up for bronchitis is the same as that described in diagnosing a Cough.

General treatment measures include eliminating atmospheric pollutants such as dust and cigarette smoke. Minimize stress, fatigue, and excitement. Overweight dogs should be put on a weight-loss diet. Walking on a leash is good exercise, but don’t overdo it. To avoid pressure on the larynx, switch from a collar to a chest harness or head halter.

Medical management is directed toward reducing bronchial inflammation. Your veterinarian may prescribe a course of corticosteroids for 10 to 14 days. If this is beneficial, the dog may be placed on a maintenance dose given daily or every other day. Bronchodilators such as theophylline or albuterol relax the breathing passages and reduce respiratory fatigue. They are beneficial for dogs with associated wheezing and airway spasms.

Thanks to Web MD for providing much of this information.

Remember, your pets count!

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