Top 5 Veterinary Prescription Respiratory Medications for Dogs in Canada (2025) — Expert-Vetted Guide to Bronchodilators, Inhaled Corticosteroids & Supportive Care

Flovent HFA (fluticasone) is a potent inhaled corticosteroid favored as a maintenance option for chronic inflammatory airway disease in dogs because it delivers strong local anti-inflammatory effects with relatively low systemic exposure compared with oral steroids. For veterinary respiratory care it is often chosen when long-term steroid-sparing control is needed versus short-acting bronchodilators like Ventolin or systemic agents like Theo-Dur, though its device and spacer requirements can raise up-front costs while reducing long-term adverse-event expenses. Compared with Temaril-P, Flovent focuses on airway inflammation without the sedating antihistamine component, making it preferable for chronic management rather than symptomatic cough suppression.

Ventolin HFA (albuterol/salbutamol) is a rapid-onset short-acting beta-2 agonist commonly used as a rescue bronchodilator for acute bronchospasm in dogs, prized for its predictable immediate relief and broad availability. Technically it complements maintenance therapies such as Flovent by providing symptom relief and is generally less costly per dose than some inhaled anticholinergics or veterinary-branded combination tablets, though regular use indicates need for concomitant controller therapy. Financially and operationally it is attractive for clinics because generic versions and standard inhaler systems are widely obtainable, but effective delivery in dogs requires appropriate masks/spacers which add to initial expense.

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium) is an inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilator used as an adjunct or alternative to beta-agonists for dogs with bronchoconstriction, offering bronchodilation with a lower risk of cardiac stimulation in susceptible patients. It is technically useful when beta-agonists are contraindicated or insufficient, though it lacks anti-inflammatory activity and is often more expensive or less familiar to veterinarians than Ventolin. Compared with systemic options like Theo-Dur or combination products such as Temaril-P, Atrovent provides targeted airway effect with fewer systemic side effects but may require combination therapy for optimal control.

Theo-Dur (theophylline extended release) is an oral, sustained‑release bronchodilator option for dogs when inhaled therapies are impractical, offering around-the-clock smooth muscle relaxation of the airways. Its technical advantage is convenient oral dosing and generally low per-tablet cost due to generic availability, but it requires therapeutic monitoring because of a narrow therapeutic index and potential drug interactions, which can increase overall management costs compared with inhaled agents. In comparison to Flovent or Temaril-P, Theo-Dur is primarily bronchodilatory rather than anti-inflammatory or antitussive, making it more suitable as part of combination regimens for chronic disease.