Introduction
“Asthma” is a condition marked by recurrent attacks of difficulty breathing (called “dyspnea”), and may include wheezing due to spasms and constriction of the large upper airways (trachea and bronchi). Dogs, like people, can suffer from asthma, although in dogs the disorder usually is not referred to as “asthma” but instead is called “allergic bronchitis.” Asthma in dogs is caused by an allergic reaction which leads to an inflammatory response inside the upper airways, most commonly attributed to an inhaled allergen. Long-standing allergic bronchitis can damage the tissues lining the bronchi resulting in the more permanent changes associated with chronic bronchitis.
Symptoms of Allergic Bronchitis in Dogs
“Asthma” is much less common in dogs than in cats, where feline asthma is a recognized disorder. The clinical signs of canine allergic bronchitis tend to affect young to middle-aged dogs, but older dogs are occasionally affected as well. The hallmark of tracheobronchial irritation is coughing, which can be acute or chronic and usually is dry and hacking rather than moist and productive. Less often, dogs show signs of respiratory distress, shortness of breath or wheezing. These signs may range from mild to marked. Often, the exact asthmatic trigger is never identified. Some dogs become lethargic, stop eating and lose weight due to the discomfort caused by the condition; by the time this happens, the condition usually has progressed to chronic bronchitis, which is progressive and irreversible. In very severe cases, a dog may resort to open-mouth breathing and its gums and other mucus membranes may turn a purplish-blue from oxygen deprivation. When the consequences of allergic bronchitis become this severe, the dog needs immediate emergency veterinary care.
Fortunately, allergic bronchitis in dogs is uncommon and normally can be effectively treated with medication. If your dog show signs of difficulty breathing accompanied by a dry, raspy cough, take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible.