Many veterinarians prescribe Brethine, or its generic version terbutaline, to canines who are struggling to breathe. This pill relaxes your pooch’s airways to combat the constriction and inflammation that can make it difficult for your four-legged friend to fill their lungs.
Its active ingredient is terbutaline sulfate, which can interact with certain drugs, like antidepressants, and doesn’t work when dogs have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions.
Before you ever need to turn to PetPlus to save on your dog’s medication, make sure you know how to spot the signs of a breathing problem. Check out a few of the most common canine respiratory issues and see if your dog fits the criteria.
Canine asthma and allergic bronchitis
Just like humans, dogs can develop asthma that can make it difficult to enjoy athletic activity. Brethine is designed to treat asthma and allergic bronchitis.
In dogs, asthma will display itself as wheezing and excessive panting or shortness of breath. Dogs may also cough more frequently, become tired more quickly when playing or running, and even experience chest pains. In extreme situations, a dog’s tongue or gums may turn purple or blue due to lack of oxygen, Vet Info explained.
If you spot these symptoms, contact your vet for help. Allergic bronchitis is caused by environmental factors like smoke, pollen, dust mites, and other allergens. In addition to the prescription medication, your dog may benefit from fixing the problem at the source and getting rid of the allergens.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Brethine can also help dogs who have COPD. The biggest symptom of this chronic condition is consistent and incessant coughing. Your dog may have dry, heaving coughs that lead to retching, VCA Animal Hospital explained. Before being diagnosed, a vet may require X-rays or further tests, but a “cackling” cough and exhaustion are major symptoms of COPD.
VCA Animal Hospital noted that COPD is common in small breed dogs and takes a long time to develop. It’s typically caused by allergens, smoke, or other air irritants and characterized by swollen airways.
Kennel cough is a common canine illness, but it isn’t typically treated with Brethine because it isn’t a chronic breathing condition dealing with inflamed airways. Kennel cough is a catch-all term for viral and bacterial infections that occur in the lungs, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Dogs can catch kennel cough from one another, and it’s often treated with antibiotics. The most prominent characteristic of the condition is a “honking” cough, the ASPCA explained. Fevers, phlegmy discharge and runny noses are also common.
Brethine is prescribed to help dogs who have a collapsed trachea breathe more easily. This condition occurs when the trachea, or wind pipe, in your dog’s throat collapses and becomes constricted. Brethine works to calm the airway and allow more oxygen to the lungs. Dogs with collapsed tracheas will cough, cannot exercise for long, and will retch. There is no single reason for this condition and it often occurs unexpectedly. Some dogs have congenital issues.
Dogs with collapsed tracheas often respond well to treatment, although there is no cure.
Coughing and difficulty breathing can be signs for a variety of conditions. Heart disease, heart worms, and lung cancer can also cause symptoms similar to COPD or asthma. When you notice an issue, bring your dog directly to the vet to get the care they need.