Infectious Diseases – Canine

Bronchitis

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammation or infection of the air passages that carry air from the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs. Bronchitis is often caused by bacteria or viruses, but can be related to problems like heart disease, allergies, or parasites. Bronchitis can progress to the lungs and develop into pneumonia, which is a life-threatening illness. 

Chronic bronchitis can result from environmental allergens, cigarette smoke, or chemicals.

What does it look like?

Common signs:

  • Coughing
  • Gagging or swallowing after coughing
  • Lethargy
  • Decreased appetite
  • Wheezing or difficulty breathing

If your pet has difficulty breathing, see your veterinary team immediately.

How is it diagnosed?

  • Clinical signs, like coughing and wheezing
  • Physical exam results
  • X-rays
  • Blood tests

Your vet will use a stethoscope and listen for abnormal lung sounds.

How is it treated?

Prescription medications, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antihistamines, and bronchodilators (medications used to expand the airways) can help treat bronchitis.

  • Severe cases may require hospitalization for breathing treatments and injectable medications
  • Chronic canine bronchitis may require long-term treatment to manage clinical signs and treat flare-ups. Coughing should decrease after treatment begins, although a slight cough may persist for several weeks.

How to help your pet

  • Administer all medications as directed
  • Monitor your pet’s progress carefully and schedule checkups as directed
  • Contact your veterinary team with any questions

Canine Infectious Respiratory Diseases

What are canine infectious respiratory diseases?

Canine infectious respiratory diseases may be caused by infection from one or more agents contained within the infectious respiratory disease complex. The agents may be of viral and/or bacterial in origin and a few are listed below:

Canine Influenza Virus

There are two known strains of canine influenza viruses. Dogs are rarely immune without vaccination. The vast majority of dogs exposed to either strain become infected and nearly 80 percent develop some types of clinical signs.

Bordetella bronchiseptica

This bacterium has been commonly associated with kennel cough and may be found as a co-infecting organism in dogs with viral infections. A vaccine is available and may be required for some boarding kennels.

Additional viral and bacterial agents

There are multiple other viruses (e.g., parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, distemper) and bacterial species (e.g., Mycoplasma, Pasteurella) that may be involved in canine respiratory diseases and outbreaks. This handout will help introduce you to some of the terms, signs, prevention and treatments of canine infectious respiratory diseases.

What are the signs of canine infectious respiratory diseases?

Affected dogs may show signs of sneezing, coughing, runny eyes or nose, lethargy and loss of appetite. In more severe cases, dogs may develop pneumonia, which can be fatal. Signs of pneumonia may include fast or difficult breathing, worsening cough and even collapse. Single agent infections and co-infections with multiple agents can present with very similar signs. Specific diagnostic tests are necessary to identify particular viruses or bacteria. Call your veterinarian about any new signs you’re seeing.

Is canine influenza or other respiratory agents contagious to me or my other family members?

Both influenza viral strains are highly contagious between dogs, and with any influenza virus, new infections and strains are always possible. Certain respiratory bacteria (e.g., Bordetella bronchiseptica) have been shown to infect people, and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk. Contact your family health care provider with any questions or concerns.

What should I do if my pet may have been exposed to a contagious respiratory illness?

Watch for the signs listed above. If possible, minimize your pet’s exposure to other dogs. This helps to keep your pet safe from other dogs and also helps protect other pets in case your dog may be inadvertently spreading disease. Remember that your veterinarian is the best source for information.

How will the doctor diagnose and treat my pet for infectious respiratory disease?

Currently, there is no immediate / in-hospital test for the diagnosis of many respiratory diseases in dogs. This means that test results may take days or weeks to return. Your doctor will discuss diagnostic options for your pet (testing may be performed on blood or respiratory tract samples). Your doctor may decide to begin treatment before test results are returned. Additional testing could include radiographs (chest X-rays) and referral for advanced testing and treatment may be discussed. Pets with more severe illness may require prolonged hospitalization, oxygen and intravenous fluid therapy or antibiotics. Remember, coughing is associated with a variety of diseases or conditions and your doctor is best qualified to make the specific diagnosis.

Are there vaccines to help protect against infectious respiratory disease?

There are currently multiple vaccines available for respiratory disease caused by Bordetella, parainfluenza, distemper and canine influenza. Vaccines may be administered by injection, intranasal drop or orally. As is the case with any vaccine, vaccination cannot prevent all infections from occurring. However, if vaccinated dogs do contract disease, they are less likely to suffer severe, debilitating or sometimes, deadly consequences of infection. It is recommended to protect your dog with the vaccine schedule recommended by your doctor. Talk to your veterinarian to help determine your dog’s risk for infectious respiratory disease and to review all respiratory vaccinations that are available.

What can I do to protect the entire family?

If your doctor suspects your pet has a highly contagious disease of any kind, it is likely that he or she will recommend keeping your pet in an isolated area away from other pets. As always, practice good hygiene for your pet and family. Family members should wash exposed areas of skin after petting and playing with pets. Be extra careful with family members who may have compromised immune systems. Canine influenza in particular is highly contagious between dogs, so be aware of other dogs your pets play with and where they play. In times of disease outbreak, minimize your dog’s contact with other dogs. Like kennel cough, this disease is more common in boarding facilities, dog parks, and other areas that dogs gather and have extensive contact. Kennel items, bedding, toys and dishes should be frequently cleaned and disinfected as the influenza virus can remain infective up to 48 hours on surfaces. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your veterinary hospital.

Suggested links and further reading:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/canine/index.htm

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/CanineInfluenza.aspx

Canine Influenza

What is Canine Influenza?

Also called “dog flu”, it is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease in dogs caused by a virus. While dog flu shares many clinical signs with kennel cough and other upper respiratory infections, it can lead to more severe and possibly lethal diseases, including pneumonia.

All dogs frequently in contact with other dogs should receive the canine influenza vaccine, which helps to ease signs and reduce the likelihood of severe complications like pneumonia, secondary infections, and long-term lung damage.

What does it look like?

Signs include:

  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Nose and eye discharge
  • Lethargy
  • Decreased appetite

Sick dogs often transmit dog flu via kennels, doggy daycares, and shelters.

How is it diagnosed?

  • Clinical signs
  • Physical exam results
  • Tests for viruses

How is it treated?

Prescription medications can help to manage clinical signs and secondary infections, but severe cases may require critical care hospitalization for breathing treatments, and intravenous fluids, and injections.

Canine influenza is highly contagious. Infected pets must be strictly quarantined and kept away from other dogs for up to four weeks, even after their signs are gone.

How to help your pet

  • Administer all medications as prescribed
  • Isolate infected pets from other dogs for four weeks to avoid spreading the disease
  • Vaccinate your dog against canine influenza
  • Contact your veterinary team with any questions