Albuterol for Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, and Dangers (2024)

Dirt and pollen can irritate a dog’s airways, leading to respiratory conditions. For example, dogs with allergic bronchitis may show symptoms that mirror those of people with asthma, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Similar to when doctors prescribe medication for people with airway constriction, a veterinarian may recommend giving your dog albuterol to relieve coughing and help them breathe better. Also known as salbutamol, albuterol is a bronchodilator, which is a type of medication that helps to widen the airways and relax the muscles that control breathing.

Albuterol can be given as a tablet or solution, but it’s most commonly dispensed as an aerosol for inhalation. While albuterol has uses in veterinary medicine, if a dog were to bite or chew on an asthma inhaler, this can become an emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention. Read on for the proper uses of albuterol in dogs and what to do if your dog accidentally ingests or inhales this medication resulting in an albuterol overdose.

Uses of Albuterol for Dogs

Albuterol is a class of medications known as selective beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. An agonist is a drug or substance that attaches to cell receptors and stimulates the cell’s activity. As a sympathomimetic, albuterol works by mimicking the effect of epinephrine and norepinephrine, two hormones that prompt the bronchial muscles to relax.

In people, albuterol is used for treating respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inhaling albuterol has a direct effect on the bronchial muscles. In other words, it tends to work quickly when inhaled into the lungs and doesn’t need to be absorbed into the bloodstream to take effect.

In veterinary medicine, albuterol is “primarily used in cats and horses for asthma, but it’s also occasionally used in dogs as a bronchodilator, which can help open the airways in respiratory diseases,” says Dr. Veronica McCann, DVM, emergency veterinarian at Colorado Animal Specialty & Emergency. Compared to cats, who can develop airway constriction due to asthma, dogs are more likely to experience airway inflammation. This can lead to a condition called allergic bronchitis in dogs, which results from exposure to environmental irritants like chemicals or allergens.

How to Administer Albuterol for Dogs

The oral form of albuterol is more commonly used in dogs, whereas cats are usually given albuterol as an inhaler, Dr. McCann says. Using albuterol in dogs and cats is considered “off-label” or “extra-label,” which means prescribing a medication for a different purpose than what the FDA approved. While it may be common to use drugs off-label in dogs, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian and provide them with a list of all the medications and supplements your dog is taking.

Make sure to follow the prescribing veterinarian’s advice to safely administer albuterol. “Oftentimes, your dog will have an oral formulation of the medication, so only administer the prescribed amount,” she says. Ensure all pills for pets and humans are kept sealed in their prescribed bottles or packaging. If you have an albuterol inhaler for yourself or your cat, store it out of your dog’s reach.

Alternatively, the veterinarian may prescribe an inhaler, also known as a metered dose inhaler, which dispenses the medication in precise amounts. Since albuterol needs to be inhaled, the vet can recommend a mask and chamber device that’s designed to administer the medication comfortably to dogs. Before using the inhaler, remove the cap, give the inhaler a good shake, and attach it to the chamber device. Once you’ve covered your dog’s nose and mouth, press the inhaler the prescribed number of times and monitor your dog’s breathing.

If you miss giving your dog a dose of albuterol, Dr. McCann recommends contacting the prescribing veterinarian for advice on when to give the next dose. You can provide them with information on when the last dose was given and your dog’s symptoms. “Depending on the dosage and use, the veterinarian may recommend giving it at that time or waiting until the next dose is due,” she says. Just be sure not to give your dog an extra dose because this can lead to serious side effects.

Risks of Albuterol and Accidental Overdose

In the case of an accidental overdose, “the onset of symptoms can occur within one to three hours and last 12 or more hours,” she says. “Blood work performed by the veterinarian may show low potassium, elevated glucose, or elevated lactate.” Potential side effects of an albuterol overdose include:

• Vomiting
• Elevated heart rate
• Arrhythmias
• Changes in blood pressure
• Hyperactivity
• Muscle tremors
• Ataxia (i.e., poor muscle control)
• Seizures
• Dilated pupils

“Too much exposure to albuterol can lead to several adverse effects including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and central nervous system signs,” she says. If left untreated, an albuterol overdose can become fatal. “However, there is an excellent prognosis with prompt treatment,” she says.

If your dog ingests or inhales albuterol by mistake, take them to a local veterinary emergency hospital. She also suggests seeking advice from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435). Treatment for an albuterol overdose may include a combination of fluids, potassium supplementation, and medications to control heart rhythm, such as beta blockers. The vet may also give your dog medication to control hyperactivity and tremors, such as sedatives and benzodiazepines.

When to Avoid Albuterol for Dogs

Albuterol is generally safe for treating airway diseases in dogs when it’s used at the prescribed dose. “However, it should be used with caution in dogs with pre-existing cardiac disease, seizure disorders, blood pressure disorders, or hypokalemia (i.e., low potassium),” Dr. McCann says.

Avoid giving your dog albuterol if they weren’t prescribed this medication or if they show any concerning clinical signs such as tremors, seizures, or dilated pupils. Make sure to discuss any medications your dog is taking that could interact negatively with albuterol. These include other sympathomimetics (i.e., drugs that mimic natural hormones) like phenylpropanolamine, Proin, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine; tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, desipramine, and clomipramine; monoamine oxidase inhibitors like selegiline; digitalis glycosides like digoxin; and diuretics like furosemide, Dr. McCann says.

What to Remember About Albuterol

Respiratory conditions, allergens, chemicals, and extremely cold weather can cause a dog’s airways to narrow and become inflamed. If your veterinarian recommends giving your dog albuterol, be sure to follow their directions carefully. Store the medication away from pets and children. If your dog accidentally ingests or inhales albuterol, call poison control and take them to a veterinary hospital for treatment.