Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs: Non-Contagious Canine Cough Explained by Vets in 2025 🐶🫁

183 days ago
9 min read

Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs: Non-Contagious Canine Cough Explained by Vets in 2025 🐾🫁

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. In this detailed 2025 veterinary guide, we’ll explore the nature of chronic bronchitis in dogs—a condition that causes long-term coughing, is not contagious, and is often confused with other respiratory issues like kennel cough or heart disease. 🐕‍🦺

🩺 What Is Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs?

Chronic bronchitis is an inflammatory, non-infectious disease affecting the lining of your dog’s trachea and bronchi. It’s defined by a persistent cough occurring on most days for more than two months. 🗓️

Unlike acute bronchitis—which is often caused by infections such as Bordetella bronchiseptica or canine influenza—chronic bronchitis is not caused by pathogens and cannot be passed to other dogs. 🦠🚫

🔍 What Causes It?

In most cases, the underlying cause is unknown. However, contributing irritants may include:

🚬 Secondhand smoke
🌾 Environmental allergens (dust, pollen, mold)
🦴 Food allergies
🪱 Respiratory parasites
⚗️ Air pollution or chemical fumes

Sometimes, untreated acute bronchitis evolves into the chronic form, where the ongoing cough begins to cause further inflammation—creating a self-perpetuating cycle. 🔁

📈 Signs and Symptoms

The hallmark sign is a persistent, dry, hacking cough. Owners often describe it as a “goose-honk” sound. It may be more pronounced during:

🌙 Nighttime
🌞 Early morning upon waking
🏃‍♂️ Excitement or exercise

The cough can become so frequent that it disrupts sleep, play, and your dog’s general comfort.

🧪 Diagnosing Chronic Bronchitis

Diagnosis is based on excluding other possible conditions. This means your veterinarian will conduct a full health evaluation and recommend several diagnostic tests, including:

📸 Chest X-rays (to evaluate airway thickness or lung changes)
📹 Airway endoscopy (to visually examine the bronchi)
🧫 Bronchoalveolar lavage or transtracheal wash (collects airway fluid for analysis)
🦷 Heart ultrasound (to rule out cardiac disease)
💩 Fecal analysis (to screen for parasites)

Only once all other causes are ruled out can chronic bronchitis be confidently diagnosed. 🧩

💊 Treatment Options

The goal is not to eliminate the cough completely—but to reduce frequency and severity by at least 70–80%. Initial therapy is often aggressive to break the cough-inflammation cycle. 🛑🗣️

Main Medications Used:

🟣 Corticosteroids: The foundation of treatment, used to reduce airway inflammation. Can be given orally or through special inhalers for dogs.
Antibiotics: May be prescribed (like doxycycline) to rule out low-level infection and for their anti-inflammatory properties.
🔵 Cough suppressants: Narcotic-based drugs may be needed early on—even if they cause mild sedation.
🟢 Bronchodilators: Help open the airways for easier breathing, available in pill, nebulized, or inhaled forms.

Expect a tailored combination depending on your dog’s size, age, and response to medications. Your vet may adjust doses over time to avoid side effects. 🧪🧑‍⚕️

⚖️ Weight Loss and Lifestyle Adjustments

Weight loss is one of the most effective non-drug interventions. Overweight dogs with chronic bronchitis experience more coughing and faster respiratory fatigue. 🌟

Losing just 5–10% of body weight can make a huge difference in breathing comfort and inflammation levels. 🐕🍽️ Ask your vet about calorie-controlled diets and exercise modifications to support your dog’s lung health.

📊 Cough Logs: Tracking Progress

Keeping a “cough log” helps you and your veterinarian assess treatment success. Track the number of coughing episodes per day, their duration, and any triggers like activity or sleep. 📓📉

🩺 Prognosis: What to Expect

While chronic bronchitis is not curable, it is manageable—and the prognosis is good with early and consistent care. Most dogs enjoy excellent quality of life when treatment is optimized. 😌

Because this condition usually affects senior dogs, other health issues may coexist, such as:

🫁 Tracheal collapse
🫀 Heart disease
🦠 Respiratory infections
🧬 Lung cancer

If coughing worsens despite treatment, further diagnostic work or referral to a specialist may be needed.

🧼 Chronic vs. Acute Bronchitis: Know the Difference

🔴 Acute Bronchitis:

Often infectious (e.g., kennel cough)
Short-term and self-limiting
Contagious to other dogs