Repeated vomiting, gagging, sneezing or coughing

Persistent sickness or choking when eating is a concern. Vomiting can be a sign of a developing allergy or a more serious infection, particularly in older dogs. Kennel cough can also be a serious contagious illness.Canine chronic bronchitis produces a dry, hacking cough in dogs that worsens with exercise and excitement. It is caused by persistent inflammation of the airways.

Inflammation swells the lining of the airways and produces mucus which further narrows the passages in the lungs. Exposure to airborne pollutants and irritants such as cigarette smoke, are thought to lead to the disease. Chronic bronchitis in dogs is considered a progressive disease that will worsen with time and requires regular management to help ensure the best quality of life possible.

Treatment options for chronic bronchitis focus on managing the inflammatory response. Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred anti-inflammatory format for long-term management of the condition. Unlike oral steroids and injectable formats, inhaled medications target the lungs directly and do not cause the same side effects (e.g., excess urination, aggression, lethargy). One of the more common inhaled steroids prescribed is fluticasone propionate (also known as Flovent HFA and Flixotide HFA, GSK).