Bronchiectasis in Dogs

Breeds documented
13
Published sources
4

Overview

Airways that should narrow as they branch can become permanently stretched and widened. This damage is called bronchiectasis and may follow severe or long-lasting airway inflammation or infection. Mucus can collect in the damaged passages, and airway collapse may occur alongside it. A persistent cough is common, although some affected dogs mainly show fast or difficult breathing.

Signs to watch for

  • A cough that persists or repeatedly returns
  • Breathing faster than usual
  • Working harder to breathe

Usually recognized in older dogs, although younger dogs can also be affected.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog is struggling to breathe.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets may use a chest CT scan to identify widened airways, since ordinary X-rays can miss them. Bronchoscopy, a camera examination inside the airways, can reveal mucus and airway collapse. Testing samples collected from the airways helps identify accompanying infection or inflammation.

Breeds with documented risk

13 breeds

By breed size
  • 2 Toy
  • 7 Small
  • 3 Medium
  • 1 Large

Most popular breeds on this list

All 13 breeds, A to Z

Inheritance

  • Not yet known

    None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.

Sources

  1. onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  2. vet.cornell.edu
  3. Cocker Spaniel: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Dachshund: onlinelibrary.wiley.com