Evaluation of the effects of beclomethasone dipropionate in dogs with tracheal collapse
Beclomethasone, Canine, Tracheal colapse
Tracheal collapse is a chronic, progressive, and degenerative respiratory disease commonly observed in small-breed dogs, characterized by narrowing of the tracheal lumen and associated with clinical signs such as chronic cough, dyspnea, and exercise intolerance. Clinical treatment is palliative and aims to reduce clinical signs and improve quality of life. Inhaled corticosteroids have been used due to their local anti-inflammatory effect with reduced systemic absorption.
This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate in dogs diagnosed with tracheal collapse, as well as its potential benefits and adverse effects. Fourteen dogs diagnosed by radiography and/or tracheoscopy were included and allocated into two groups: a control group (Gsal), treated with nebulized 0.9% saline solution, and a treatment group (Gbeclo), treated with nebulized beclomethasone dipropionate at a dose of 200 µg diluted in saline solution, administered every 12 hours for seven days.
Clinical evaluations were performed before and after treatment, including assessment of cough intensity, respiratory rate, exercise intolerance, respiratory pattern, pulmonary and tracheal auscultation, and overall clinical severity. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups regarding changes in cough intensity (p = 0.613) or respiratory rate after treatment. However, dogs in the treatment group showed a tendency toward overall clinical improvement, with reduced severity of respiratory signs and better clinical scores, without clinically relevant adverse effects.
In conclusion, inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate demonstrated good tolerability and potential clinical benefit in the management of canine tracheal collapse, representing a safe adjuvant therapeutic option for controlling clinical signs of the disease.