Chronic and acute bronchitis in dogs and puppies is caused by inflammation of the Bronchi. The Bronchi are are tubes which are enable air to pass from your dog's trachea into your dog's lungs.

This condition can affect all dog breeds of either sex and is no more common in females than males. However, smaller dog breeds and dogs that are of a medium stature are more susceptible to the infection.

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1. Expect to see your dog coughing
2. Sometimes the condition can lead to your dog or puppy breathing faster - also known as Tachypnea.
3. Shortness of breath
4. You may notice that your dog or puppy is wheezing
5. Your dog or puppy may also gag intermittently
6. Anorexia is another symptom
7. You may notice that your dog or puppy seems depressed.
8. Your pooch may also develop a fever.

You may find our section on kennel cough useful too as the symptoms can be similar.

If you suspect that your dog or puppy has bronchitis it can not surprisingly get worst after exercise (your pooch may cough more). If your dog or puppy is suffering from a severe acute infection then yo may notice that your pooch has gums and a tongue that appears bluish - this is when your dog has become cyanotic

The cause of this condition is often undetermined but the infection may be caused by the following...

1. Environmental pollutants may cause the condition.
2. Bacterial infections
3. Viral infections
4. Cillary Dyskinesis - This is when there is a congenital abnormality of the Cilla.
5. Cigarette smoke is also thought to be a cause (so don't smoke around your dog or puppy).
6. Some people think that poor oral health can be cause bronchitis but this is not proven.

The diagnosis of bronchitis in dogs can be achieved through...

• Biochemistry - This is when serum blood counts are taken which will determine your dog's overall health and check whether your dog has any other medical conditions.

• Bronchoscopy - This is when a small fiber optic tube is passed through the airway - via the tube it is possible to see whether there are other problems/illnesses including cancer, lung worms, fungal infections and inflammatory disease.

• Sputum Tests - A sputum sample will be taken and will be tested for sensitivity and cultured for bacteria - the vet may take a Cytology test which tests for parasites, cancer cells, active infections and even allergies.

• The vet will check your dog's medical history and will complete a thorough physical examination to determine if bronchitis is present.

• Radiography - This is when a chest x-ray is taken.

• The vet may undertake a thorough examination of your dog's bronchi and trachea - this is called a tracheobronchial examination.

• Your dog's vet may need to undertake other sputum tests. Sputum is the mucus that is found in the lungs. The vet may undertake varied tests to get the sputum, including a (TTW), this is a Trans-Tracheal-Wash - this is when the vet inserts a small needle into your dog's trachea to get a sample.

• An ECG may be undertaken.

• A fecal examination may also be undertaken by the vet - this is when your dog's poop is examined to determine if lung worms are present.

• Tests may be done by the vet to see whether heartworms are present.

• Arterial blood tests - this is when arterial blood is sampled to test how much oxygen is in the blood.