Coughing in Dogs: Things You Should Know

If your dog is coughing, then they might be suffering from a certain kind of health issue, like cardiovascular or respiratory disease. Coughing is regarded as a very strong reflex as it helps to prevent foreign substances and accumulated secretions from blocking the airways and pharynx. Read on to discover the symptoms, causes and treatment for coughing in dogs.

Symptoms of coughing

• Vomiting
• Cough
• Unexpected collapse
• Violent coughing often with blood

Causes of coughing in dogs

• Allergies
• Respiratory tract infections or diseases
• Foreign substances blocking the respiratory system
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Aspiration pneumonia

Visit your vet

If your dog starts coughing it is vital to go and visit your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis will involve an extensive physical examination including a review of your pet’s recent activities, medical history and overall health. Your vet will establish that your dog is actually coughing and not just sneezing. In addition, your vet will ask about various cough characteristics like frequency, pattern, duration and others, to help establish the diagnosis.

Besides the physical examination, your vet will also conduct a full biochemistry profile, urinalysis and blood count. Tests associated with blood clotting may be conducted if the dog is also coughing up blood. Other tests like MRI, CT and X-rays can also be used to find out what is causing your dog to cough. That includes using tools like a bronchoscope or laryngoscope to directly visually see the different parts in the dog’s upper respiratory tract.

Treatment of coughing in dogs

Resolving the underlying cause of coughing will eventually lead to an effective cure. If your dog has severe coughing, then they may require hospitalization in order to receive special intensive treatment. The treatment may involve providing oxygen to improve breathing and also giving antibiotics to deal with most of the infections associated with coughing.

Your dog will also be given various drugs to suppress the cough, like cough suppressants. Nevertheless, remember that coughing is typically a symptom of another health condition. That means that it is better to deal with the underlying health conditions rather than simply suppressing the cough.

Conclusion

Once your dog has been correctly diagnosed and treated by a vet, it is essential to ensure you don’t miss any vet visit for checkups. Additionally, you should also continue administering the medicine until the end even if you notice improvements in the coughing. That way you prevent the infection or disease from recurring.

References: WebMD, AKC, PetMD