Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled Administration of Corticosteroids in the Frame of Controlling Chronic Coughing in Dogs with Endocardiosis and Congestive Heart Failure

Introduction. The main cause of chronic coughing in dogs with endocardiosis is the simultaneous occurrence of chronic bronchitis and airway collapse. Oral administration of topical corticosteroids quickly improves the clinical signs in animals, but after their administration is stopped, the undesirable signs resume. The authors deem it necessary to study the inhaled administration of corticosteroids, which, in contrast to oral administration, delivers the drug directly to the airways reducing the number of systemic side effects. The aim of the present research is to determine the efficacy and safety of inhaled administration of topical corticosteroids in the frame of controlling chronic coughing in dogs with endocardiosis and congestive heart failure.

Materials and Methods. In total, 19 dogs of small breeds with endocardiosis, congestive heart failure (CHF) and a history of chronic coughing during more than three months were included in the research. The age of the animals ranged from 7 to 15 years, an average age was 12.3 years. All dogs underwent a complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile test, urinalysis, radiography of the neck and chest in three projections, and an echocardiography. Dogs with detected systemic diseases were excluded from the research. All dogs were prescribed fluticasone inhalations: one inhalation of 6–8 inhales 2 times a day using an AeroDawg-type inhaler spacer. Every 7 days during 35 days, the owners were completing a questionnaire on cough characteristics. Clinical examination of animals was carried out every 7 days including auscultation and ultrasound examination of the chest to detect the pulmonary edema and fluid in the chest. For early detection of CHF decompensation, the following indices were assessed by means of echocardiography: left atrium-to-aorta ratio; left ventricular internal diastolic diameter; ejection fraction of the left ventricle and left ventricular contraction.

Results. Inhaled administration of fluticasone has improved the quality of life of dogs — a positive effect has been noticed in animals already from the second week of treatment, and by the 21st day the stabilization of the patients' condition has been recorded. Coughing in general, as well as individual frequency, duration and severity of cough have decreased to minimum. Also, treatment with fluticasone has proved its safety, because within 35 days neither left ventricular systolic function impairment nor lung congestion increase, nor signs of pulmonary edema have been detected.

Discussion and Conclusion. The research results have proved the efficacy and safety of inhaled fluticasone in the frame of controlling coughing in dogs with endocardiosis and congestive heart failure. However, since treatment with fluticasone was evaluated only for 35 days, further studies with a longer observation period are necessary to exclude the possibility of cardiovascular complications.

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