Fluticasone for Dogs: A Medication to Treat Asthma and Other Breathing Issues
Key takeaways:
Fluticasone (Flovent) is an inhaled steroid. It can be used to treat inflammatory airway disease, like asthma, in dogs.
To give your dog fluticasone, you will need a special mask that fits over their face. It’s typically given to dogs 2 to 4 times a day.
Side effects of fluticasone in dogs are similar to oral steroids like prednisone. Side effects include increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, and panting.
Table of contents
If your dog has an inflammatory airway condition like asthma, an inhaled steroid like fluticasone (Flovent) may be discussed as a treatment option.
Veterinarians prescribe inhaled steroids less often for dogs. Inhalers can be challenging to give to dogs, and they’re more expensive than traditional oral steroids. But it may be right for your pup.
Read on to learn more about this inhaled steroid treatment for dogs.
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Fluticasone for dogs at a glance
Common names | Fluticasone (Flovent) |
What it treats | Inflammatory airway disease, asthma |
How it comes (forms) | Inhaler |
Dosage | Depends on your dog’s weight and health condition |
Common side effects | Increased appetite, increased drinking and urinating, increased panting |
Average cost |
What is fluticasone for dogs, and how does it work?
Fluticasone is a glucocorticoid steroid that is given to dogs through an inhaler. Steroids can have effects on every system in the body. Inhaled steroids like fluticasone are designed to deliver anti-inflammatory effects more directly to a dog’s lungs.
Vets may prescribe fluticasone for inflammatory airway disease not caused by infections. These include:
Chronic bronchitis
Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy
Chronic cough
Some veterinarians alsouse steroids to treat tracheal collapse syndrome in dogs. Some experts think tracheal collapse may involve tracheal inflammation that steroids could treat. Dogs with tracheal collapse may also have other inflammatory airway diseases at the same time.
Fluticasone is not FDA approved for dogs. When prescribed for dogs, veterinarians prescribe fluticasone off-label. This is common in veterinary medicine.
Inhaled steroids like fluticasone are not used often in dogs. Inhaled steroids provide some advantage over oral steroids like prednisone because they cause fewer side effects. But inhalers for dogs are more expensive and can be more difficult to give to dogs.
Dog asthma: Dogs can develop a condition similar to human asthma that causes breathing difficulty. Read about what to expect if your dog has this condition.
Fast breathing: There are many reasons your dog may be breathing fast. Check out some of the most common ones, and learn when it’s time to seek help.
Prednisone for dogs: Before starting an inhaler medication like fluticasone, most dogs will take an oral steroid like prednisone. Here’s what to expect with prednisone.
What is the dosage of fluticasone for dogs, and how is it given?
The dosage of fluticasone for dogs will depend on your dog’s weight and what condition they’re being treated for. It’s given as an inhaler using a special adapter for pets.
Fluticasone is usually given to dogs 2 to 4 times per day. A veterinarian will provide the correct dosage and instructions on how to give fluticasone to your dog.
Oral steroids are always started first for inflammatory airway disease in dogs. When a dog starts an inhaler, you will likely need to continue giving your dog their oral steroid at the same time for 1 to 2 weeks. The oral steroid is then slowly reduced while the inhaled steroid takes over as the main treatment.
How to use a fluticasone inhaler for dogs
Dogs (and cats) can’t use an inhaler the same way a person does. They can’t seal their lips around an inhaler. They also can’t inhale a puff from the inhaler when the plunger is depressed.
In pets, an adapter such as the AeroDawg must be used. This adapter allows you to fit a mask with a clear chamber over your dog’s snout. The inhaler is then attached to the chamber.
When you push the plunger on the inhaler, the clear chamber will fill with medication. Your dog must then take 7 to 10 breaths to ensure that fluticasone is properly and completely inhaled.
What should you do if your dog misses a dose of fluticasone?
If you miss giving your dog a dose of fluticasone, what to do next depends on how often you need to give it. A general rule is that if less than half the time has passed until the next dose, you can give a missed dose ASAP. If more than half that time has passed, it may be better to wait.
Let’s say you give your dog fluticasone every 12 hours. If less than 6 hours has passed since the missed dose, give the next dose as soon as possible. If it’s been more than 6 hours, skip the missed dose. Then give your dog their dose at the usual time.
If you have questions about what to do after missing a dose of fluticasone, you can also ask a veterinarian for guidance.
What are common side effects of fluticasone in dogs?
In dogs, inhaled steroids like fluticasone can have similar side effects as oral steroids. But fluticasone usually has fewer side effects than oral steroids. Side effects of fluticasone in dogs may include:
Increased drinking
Increased urination
Increased appetite
The longer your dog takes fluticasone, they may have more side effects, including:
Weight gain
Thinning skin
Belly distention
Liver enlargement
What are the most serious risks of fluticasone for dogs?
Fluticasone can cause serious risks in dogs if they stay on the medication a long time. Over time, steroids can lead to a condition called hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s disease. This condition can occur naturally in dogs. But when it’s caused by steroid medication, it’s iatrogenic Cushing’s disease.
Dogs with Cushing’s disease caused by long-term use of steroids will have most of fluticasone’s side effects, including:
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Increased appetite
Panting
Hair loss
Swollen belly
Weakness
Lack of energy
Dogs can also develop immune system suppression when taking steroids long term. Some dogs have developed demodex mites in and around their nose after immune suppression from the inhaled steroid.
Although respiratory infections from immunosuppression are rarely reported in dogs, they could also occur.
Does fluticasone interact with other dog medications?
There are only a few medications for dogs known to interact with fluticasone. They are:
Azole antifungals, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole
Hepatic CYP3A inhibitors, like fluoxetine
Macrolide antibiotics, including azithromycin
In all cases, these medications may increase how much fluticasone is in your dog’s body. The medications can still be used together but should be used cautiously.
The bottom line
Fluticasone (Flovent) is an inhaled steroid that may be used in dogs for inflammatory airway disorders. Its side effects may be similar to oral steroids, including increased thirst and urination and an increased appetite. Fluticasone inhalers require a special adapter for dogs. This may be more challenging for some owners to give to their pet. Many veterinarians favor oral steroids over fluticasone because oral prednisone is easier to give to dogs and less expensive.
Why trust our experts?
References
Budde, J. A., et al. (2023). Fluticasone. Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook (10th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Cohn, L. A. (2009). Inhalant therapy: Finding its place in small-animal practice. DVM360.
Collins, B. (n.d.). Cushing’s syndrome. Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center.
Dowling, P. M. (2024). Inhalation treatment of airway disease in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Melamies, M., et al. (2012). Endocrine effects of inhaled budesonide compared with inhaled fluticasone propionate and oral prednisolone in healthy beagle dogs. The Veterinary Journal.
Talavera-López, J., et al. (2023). Comparative study of inhaled fluticasone versus oral prednisone in 30 dogs with cough and tracheal collapse. Veterinary Sciences.
Vargo, C. L., et al. (2021). Localized demodicosis in a dog after fluticasone propionate treatment for chronic bronchitis. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine.
Veterinary Information Network. (2019). Fluticasone. DVMetrics & Services.
The VIN Dermatology Consultants. (2018). Cushing’s disease in dogs (hyperadrenocorticism): What is it? Veterinary Partner.
