Prospective evaluation of the efficacy of inhaled steroids administered via the AeroDawg spacing chamber in management of dogs with chronic cough

Abstract

Background: Glucocorticoids are frequently required for management of cough because of inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and airway collapse (AWC). Objectives/Hypothesis: To determine the efficacy and feasibility of inhaled administration of corticosteroids in controlling cough in dogs with noninfectious airway disease. Animals: Thirty-six client-owned dogs. Methods: Dogs were prospectively recruited for this placebo-controlled cross-over study. Inflammatory airway disease was diagnosed through bronchoalveolar lavage cytology. Airway collapse was diagnosed through bronchoscopy, or if dogs were unsuitable anesthetic candidates, by crackles on auscultation, radiographic changes in airway diameter, or fluoroscopy. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive placebo or fluticasone propionate for the first 2 weeks of the trial then crossed over to fluticasone. A quality of life (QOL) survey (best score 0, worst score 85) was completed at 0 and 6 weeks. A visual-analog cough survey was submitted at 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks to assess cough, feasibility, and adverse effects of treatment. Results: For 32 dogs, QOL score at study end (mean 11.3 ± 9.7) was significantly lower (P