Introduction
Although canine allergic bronchitis (sometimes called “asthma”) is uncommon in dogs, when it does happen it is distressing to owners and affected animals. Fortunately, a number of treatments are available to minimize the consequences of this disorder. The goals of treating allergic bronchitis are to identify and remove the inciting inhaled allergens from the dog’s environment if at all possible. If that cannot be accomplished, drugs are available to treat the condition symptomatically. Once the disorder progresses to chronic canine bronchitis, complete resolution of the cough is almost never possible. In those cases, the therapeutic goal becomes reduction of the frequency and severity of the cough so that the dog is more comfortable.
Identifying the Causes of an Allergic Attack
Once allergic bronchitis is suspected, veterinarians will try to figure out the underlying inciting cause(s) of the attack so that they can be eliminated from the dog’s environment. Owners may be asked to keep an “allergy diary” which records when a dog has an attack, the severity of the attack, how long the attack lasted and what potential inhaled allergens the dog was exposed to at that time. The dog’s doctor may carefully question the owner about any possibly relevant changes in the household environment, such as use of new kitty litter, cigarette or fireplace smoke, carpet cleaners or other household items containing perfumes such as deodorant or hair spray, room fresheners, fertilizers, home remodeling, painting, landscaping, pesticide use, new pets and similar items. Unfortunately, even a detailed owner diary and thorough veterinary interview may not reveal the precise allergen(s) involved. If it does, the owner can take steps to remove those allergens from their dog’s immediate environment.
Treating Allergic Bronchitis in Dogs
Dogs with allergic bronchitis should be treated aggressively in order to minimize long-term airway inflammation and resulting chronic bronchial damage. The most common treatment protocol is administration of glucocorticoids and bronchodilators to help reduce the number and severity of allergic attacks. Metered-dose inhalers designed to fit a dog’s muzzle are increasingly available to administer bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medication. In cases of secondary infection, antibiotics that penetrate airway secretions may be recommended as well; incorporation of antibiotic therapy should follow evaluation and culture of airway samples. Finally, cough suppressants are available for prolonged or exhausting non-productive coughs, although they are used cautiously because coughs are a useful and normal mechanism for clearing airway secretions.
The prognosis for dogs with allergic bronchitis is good to excellent with prompt diagnosis and treatment – especially if the inciting inhaled allergen can be identified and removed from the dog’s environment. Long-term treatment will be necessary in most other cases to control clinical signs and permit affected dogs to lead relatively normal, high-quality lives. If the condition becomes chronic, it will be progressive but rarely life-threatening and, with medical management and attentive owners, those dogs too should enjoy an excellent quality of life with a normal life expectancy.