If you've noticed your dog wheezing or having shortness of breath, you're probably curious if dogs can have asthma.

While dogs do not get asthma as we know it, they can develop a similar condition called "allergic bronchitis" in response to environmental irritants. Learn more about the clinical signs and what to do if you suspect that your dog has allergic bronchitis.

What's the difference between asthma and bronchitis?

Asthma is a condition defined by the constriction, or narrowing, of small branching airways in the lungs called bronchi in response to environmental allergens and has been documented in both horses and cats, in addition to people. While dogs can certainly react to environmental irritants, their lungs respond differently than the other species mentioned. When dogs are exposed to environmental irritants, they do not actually develop any constriction of their airways and, in turn, do not experience true "asthmatic attacks." Instead, their airways become inflamed, causing them to cough and exhibit other signs of respiratory disease that you may notice at home.

Clinical Signs of Allergic Bronchitis

It's uncommon that a dog parent will intuitively know their dog has bronchitis because there are so many causes of respiratory illness. Some of the more common clinical signs of bronchitis in dogs include:

• A cough which may be dry or produce phlegm
• Wheezing with or without a whistle sound
• Rapid, shallow breaths
• Open-mouth breathing (this one can be particularly tricky as all dogs pant)
• Pale-colored gums in more severe cases
• Exercise intolerance
• Lethargy
• Abdominal component to breathing, as the ab muscles work overtime to force air in and out
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss in moderate to severe cases
• Gagging or retching

Normal panting is typically not associated with some of the other clinical signs, with the exception of some minor abdominal movement in heavy panting on a hot summer day. If panting seems out of the ordinary, includes gagging and retching, or pale or blue colored gums, there is likely something else at work that warrants a prompt veterinary evaluation. Therefore, when trying to answer the question of whether or not your dog has bronchitis, it's important to keep track of how long your dog has been experiencing some of the common signs of bronchitis.

Bronchitis affects dogs regardless of gender. Adult and middle-aged dogs are most often affected. Small and toy breed dogs, as well as cocker spaniels, are more at risk for developing bronchitis than other breeds. Obesity also exacerbates underlying respiratory disease.

Diagnosing Bronchitis

Clinical signs of dog bronchitis may be similar to other respiratory illnesses, though the treatments are quite different. This makes an accurate diagnosis crucial.

Can dogs have bronchitis? Here are some common dog illnesses that imitate bronchitis in dogs:

• Heartworm infection
• Lungworm infection
  
• Kennel cough
• Tracheal collapse
• Heart failure
• Heart disease

When bronchitis is suspected, chest X-rays are typically taken, but they don't always show changes to the lungs. According to Merck Veterinary Manual, X-rays of the neck are usually recommended as well. Other tests that may be recommended include bloodwork to check organ function, an ultrasound to evaluate heart function, a heartworm test, a fecal test, and advanced imaging of the lungs with CT scans and/or bronchoscopy, which involves passing a small camera into the airways under anesthesia. Along with bronchoscopy, dogs suspected of bronchitis may also have a procedure known as an airway lavage performed in which a small of sterile water is used to wash the airways and collect cells for evaluation of inflammation under a microscope and bacterial cultures.