Bronchitis presents most commonly in small, toy or medium-sized dogs of adult age. There are diseases which have many of the same symptoms that may be noted in younger dogs so you should always consult with a veterinarian rather than self-diagnosing. Bronchits is an inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs. What this means is that the tubes which carry air to the lungs become inflamed or irritated, causing them to swell and produce excessive mucus. 

Bronchitis may be acute (quick to appear and quick to go away) or chronic (keeps coming back and lasts longer). 

Bronchitis can be viral or the result of breathing in irritants (smoke, chemicals, even food). As with allergies, sensitivity to certain materials may cause bronchitis in one individual while leaving another relatively unbothered. 

Signs and Symptoms: Dogs and cats may show any of several symptoms when suffering from bronchitis including coughing, rapid breathing or shortness of breath, wheezing and gagging. Gagging may often be misinterpreted as coughing up a hairball or vomiting but, if the effort doesn’t produce anything (vomit or hairballs) then your pet is probably gagging. Pets suffering from bronchitis may also run a fever. Elevated activity levels may exacerbate symptoms. 

As with any respiratory condition, the inability to feed oxygen to the blood efficiently may result in hypoxia (insufficient oxygen in the blood). Cyanosis, a bluing of your pet’s tongue or gums, is the result of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood vessels. If you notice bluing of your pets gums or tongue, you should immediately take it to the vet. This symptom can be indicative of several severe ailments including bronchitis and should be addressed immediately. 

Important Action: If you suspect your pet has bronchitis, seek medical attention from your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Your vet will help you in identifying potential causes. If the causes are deemed to be environmental, think about what your dog may be breathing in. A complete cleaning of the area the dog occupies may help alleviate symptoms. Healthy weight maintenance may also be helpful. Keep exercise to a minimum until you’ve had the condition diagnosed, treated and received recommendations from your vet. 

Your vet may perform several tests to identify bronchitis including X-rays of the chest, examination of the airway and trachea and throat cultures. Blood gas analysis may also be performed. 

Treatment: Bronchitis is a condition treated at a symptomatic level. Corticosteroid therapy, bronchodilators, and cough medicine may be used to assist your pet. It is important to know that pets prone to bronchitis will likely always be susceptible meaning that treating it requires some lifestyle changes. Reduce dust in your home as much as possible. If you smoke in your home, quit. At the very least, take the habit outside. Remember how low to the ground your pet lives. Chemicals in cleaners, paints or other household items may “hug the ground” as they leak from their containers. Consider cleaning out any potential chemical irritants and either eliminating them or moving them to outdoor storage. This includes cleaners you may keep under your sink. Vaporizers or nebulizers may also offer some relief in the form of less-irritating, humid air. 

For those who live in congested cities, consider that the level of pollutants (most often from vehicle exhaust) down at your pet’s level can be hundreds of times more potent than they are at your head level. If possible, carry your pet to the park to play rather than walking him there. Avoid walking him across streets where he’ll be nose-to-pipe with car mufflers. 

How can veterinary pet insurance help with bronchitis: Pet insurance can help defray the costs of initial diagnosis, taking the edge off the expense of X-rays and lab analysis of cultures taken. Medically prescribed treatments such as corticosteroids may also be covered. Check with your insurance agent, as always, to know what coverage your plan will offer.