Chronic bronchitis in dogs causes persistent coughing and airway inflammation requiring long-term management to maintain quality of life and prevent progressive lung damage.
Dogs with chronic bronchitis experience daily coughing episodes that disrupt sleep and normal activities. Coughing paroxysms can be severe enough to cause vomiting or brief collapse from coughing syncope. The chronic nature means dogs live with constant airway irritation and reduced exercise capacity. Inhaled steroid therapy, when administered correctly using veterinary spacer devices, can dramatically reduce daily cough and improve comfort. Environmental control - eliminating smoke, strong scents, and airway irritants - is a welfare intervention owners can implement immediately.