Asthma & Bronchitis Medication for Dogs

Asthma & Bronchitis in Dogs

Breathing problems can have an adverse effect on your dog’s quality of life. Asthma and bronchitis are two of the breathing conditions your dog might encounter.

What is asthma?

Asthma, otherwise known as allergic bronchitis, is a condition typically caused by allergens. You might be surprised to learn that dogs can have asthma, but this condition is certainly one that affects dogs, and certain breeds are more susceptible. An asthma attack can occur when your dog ingests triggering substances like mold, pollen, dander from other animals, cigarette smoke, chemicals, and much more.

If your dog is suffering from an asthma attack, you’ll notice signs such as coughing, wheezing, short and shallow breathing, lethargy, or reluctance to exercise.

What is the best asthma treatment for my dog?

• Prednisone - This oral corticosteroid is a medicine used to treat asthma in dogs. It has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Sildenafil - This oral medication is useful in treating pressure in the lungs, which is one of the most common symptoms of asthma in dogs. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle around the small blood vessels within the lungs.
• Theophylline - This effective asthma and bronchitis medicine for dogs relieves symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and labored breathing.
• Terbutaline - This medicine works to relieve or prevent signs of asthma and bronchitis in dogs. It is a bronchodilator that stimulates receptors within the airway to open, allowing for easier breathing.
• Prednisolone - Another of the most popular asthma meds for dogs, this oral corticosteroid works by suppressing the inflammatory response.
• Albuterol - This inhaled bronchodilator comes in the form of an inhaled liquid or an asthma inhaler for dogs. It is useful in the treatment of bronchitis and asthma symptoms in dogs, quickly opening the airway and allowing for easier breathing.

How can I prevent my dog from having an asthma attack?

There are several ways to lessen the effects of asthma on your dog. These include:

• Regular bathing
• Using dust-free litter (if you have a cat)
• Switching to a natural pesticide product
• Avoiding chemical and perfume use around your sensitive dog
• Using an air purifier and/or HEPA filter
• Avoiding deodorizers and air fresheners
• Removing carpet from your home
• Cleaning your hardwood and tile floors using vinegar
• Keeping fireplace and cigarette smoke out of your pet’s environment

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a condition in which the bronchial airways become inflamed. This condition can be acute or chronic, often causing difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and other bothersome signs. These are just a few of the many possible symptoms of bronchitis in dogs.

Chronic bronchitis typically affects middle-aged or older dogs and is characterized by symptoms that last for a period of a couple of months. Acute bronchitis elicits short-term, severe symptoms. This condition can affect dogs of all ages.

Because dogs can get bronchitis in a few different ways, it is important to keep your dog up to date on vaccines. Acute bronchitis is normally caused by a viral infection like distemper, parainfluenza, or kennel cough, or sometimes by a bacterial infection. The causes of chronic bronchitis remain a mystery, but factors like cigarette smoke, age, and cardiovascular or respiratory problems can contribute.

What medications are best for treating bronchitis?

Treating acute bronchitis will usually require antibiotics, bronchodilators like Albuterol or Terbutaline, and/or anti-inflammatory medications such as Prednisone or Prednisolone. Many of the medications used for asthma treatment are also effective in treating bronchitis in dogs.

Allivet carries all the medications you need to get your dog’s asthma or bronchitis under control. With the best prices and unmatched service, Allivet is here to help. Your dog will breathe easy, and you’ll do the same knowing you’ve chosen the best treatment for your dog!