This week's Evidence Based Update is on the topic of coughing in dogs, with a specific focus on canine chronic bronchitis and some exciting information about a novel therapy for managing patients.
Coughing is a syndrome or clinical sign associated with an underlying disease process. Because there are many possible causes for chronic coughing, it behooves the clinician to recommend and perform a thorough diagnostic work-up of affected patients. Although this is not an exhaustive list, some of the causes include:
Cardiovascular disease - e.g. heart failure; pulmonary edema
Allergic disease - e.g. Eosinophilic infiltrative disease or pneumonitis
Parasitic disease - e.g. Capillaria aerophilia, Dirofilaria immitis, Paragonimus spp (lung fluke), etc.
The clinical approach to the dog with chronic coughing should be tailored to the individual based on its history and physical examination findings. Testing may include:
Baseline laboratory testing (CBC, Biochemistry Profile, and Urinalysis), heartworm antigen testing, fecal analysis, and NT pro-BNP assay
Treatment should be specific to the diagnosis. In the case of dogs with chronic bronchitis, treatment goals include controlling inflammation and the cough. Dogs commonly require lifelong treatment. In addition to pharmacologic interventions, environmental irritants should be identified and eliminated, weight control should be instituted, and a harness should be recommended in place of a collar for leash walks.
In this week's Evidence Based Update we discuss findings of a recent study that examined the use and efficacy of a novel therapy for dogs with chronic bronchitis. Discussion includes:
Clinical and pathologic features of canine chronic bronchitis
Overview of the cough reflex
Treating canine chronic bronchitis
Clinical uses and effects of NK-1 Receptor antagonists
The Specialist's Spin on the chronically coughing dog, cough suppressant options and considerations for the clinician, and recommendations based on the findings of this study
