Coughing in Dogs: Common Causes and Treatment Options

Introduction

Maria had always been attentive to her playful Pug, Biscuit, who brought joy to her life with his adorable antics. Recently, however, she noticed that Biscuit had developed a persistent cough that left him struggling for breath. Alarmed by this sudden change in her beloved pet’s health, Maria knew it was time to consult her trusted veterinarian.

Dogs have many different health problems, including respiratory diseases. One of the dogs’ most common respiratory diseases is canine cough (also known as the case of kennel cough). Cough is the most common illness a dog can have. However, it is not just a sign of disease; it’s a natural defense mechanism that helps keep your pet healthy dog.

Coughing has many causes, like sneezing, fever, runny nose, and nasal discharge. Like Kennel cough, it usually occurs when puppies come down with the virus at six weeks. Puppies who contract this illness often develop pneumonia, which may be fatal.

Common Causes of Coughing in Dogs

A cough in a dog can point to many causes, such as allergies, respiratory problems, heart disease, airway obstructions, and exposure to secondhand smoke. In addition, allergens like pollen, dust mites, and mold spores can cause an inflammatory response in the dog’s respiratory system leading to coughing. This coughing type is often called “allergic bronchitis” or “allergic asthma.”

On the other hand, several infectious respiratory diseases, including parainfluenza, distemper virus, adenovirus type 2 and influenza A, can cause a dog to cough. In addition to coughing, they may experience fever, labored breathing and runny eyes or nose.

Other reasons for coughing can be attributed to kennel cough or Bordetella bronchiseptica, which is highly contagious and common in young puppies who are kept together in group settings like boarding kennels or puppy classes; reacts poorly to vaccination; bears poor nutrition; are exposed to cold temperatures or climate changes; has been recently wormed with ivermectin or has had its heartworm prevention stopped too suddenly.

Heartworm disease is also known to cause coughing due to the parasites residing within dogs’ pulmonary arteries. Heart failure then makes up for another significant cause for a barking or honking kind of an inhaling–exhaling sound known as exercise intolerance or ‘tic-tac’ cough & occurs when the episodes could become more noticeable during walks.

Lower airway obstructions may lead to increased effort in breathing, which further causes dogs to develop dry irritating coughs— inducing hairs on-end feelings —called ‘reverse sneezing’ episodes that commonly occur by over-excitement/pulling on their collars too hard while going out on walks as well.

Symptoms of Dog Cough

Dogs cough when they’re sick. They cough because they inhale mucus through their nose and throat. The airway becomes blocked, causing them to cough. When a dog coughs, he may not be able to breathe correctly. He may choke on his phlegm (mucus). Or he may vomit the stuff back up.

Coughing is a clinical sign of canine cough. The apparent symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, dry cough, and coughing fits. Coughing may accompany a fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.

If your dog frequently coughs, consult your veterinarian. Your vet can diagnose whether your dog has flea allergies, asthma, pneumonia, heart disease, or another condition that causes a dog to cough frequently.

Diagnosis of Kennel Cough

Vets use several methods to diagnose canine cough. The most common way is to examine a dog’s nose and throat. They may also take a sample of mucus from the back of the throat, called a tracheal wash, or swab the inside of the nostrils.

If a vet suspects a dog has a canine cough, they will perform a bronchoscopy, which involves inserting a long tube through the mouth and down the windpipe (trachea) into the lungs. This allows the doctor to view the airway and collect samples of mucus.

Another diagnostic tool used by veterinarians is a chest radiograph. This test uses X-rays to create pictures of the heart, lungs, and ribs. Vets often combine this test with a bronchoscopy because the two tests help determine whether there is inflammation in the lower respiratory tract.

Treatment for Coughing in Dogs

Talk to your vet about the causes and treatment options. There are several different treatments available for canine cough. Treatments may include antibiotics, antihistamines, decongestants, cough suppressants, expectorants (e.g., guaifenesin), and antitussives (e.g., dextromethorphan). Antitussive drugs work by reducing coughing and clearing mucus from the lungs. They may be used alone or in combination with other medications.

• Antibiotics are typically prescribed for bacterial infections, such as those associated with upper respiratory tract disease. The most commonly recommended antibiotic is amoxicillin, although some veterinarians recommend adding Clavamox to prevent the development of resistant bacteria.
• Antihistamines are effective against allergic reactions, including those associated with canine cough. Antihistamines commonly include diphenhydramine hydrochloride, chlorpheniramine maleate, cetirizine dihydrochloride, fexofenadine hydrochloride, loratadine, levocetirizine, and terfenadine.
• Decongestants reduce swelling and inflammation in the airways. Some common decongestant medications include pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, phenylephrine HCl, oxymetazoline hydrochloride, xylometazoline hydrochloride (brand name Afrin), and naphazoline hydrochloride.

• Cough suppressants suppress the cough reflex. Some common medications used to suppress coughing include codeine phosphate, hydrocodone bitartrate, oxycodone hydrochloride, and morphine sulfate.
• Expectorants help loosen phlegm and mucus in the lungs. Guaifenesin is a common expectorant drug. Other expectorants include carbocysteine, chondroitin sulfate, glycopyrrolate, and sodium bicarbonate.

Prevention for Cough in Dogs

If you’re concerned about your pet catching canine cough, there are several ways to prevent it.

1. Vaccinate small dogs against canine cough.
2. Please keep your pets away from sick and infected dogs and clean places where dogs may contact them.
3. Wash your hands frequently after handling your dog.
4. Avoid sharing food and water bowls with your dog.
5. Use disposable gloves when cleaning his kennel or crate.
6. Disinfect toys, bedding, and grooming equipment regularly.
7. Wipe down surfaces your dog often uses, such as door handles, countertops, and furniture.
8. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
9. Stay home if you feel ill.
10. Consult your veterinarian if symptoms persist. Quarantine periods vary depending on the type of facility but typically range from seven to 30 days. If the cough is severe, take the dog to the vet immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions