It’s essential to identify why your dog coughs so you can receive veterinary treatment.
All dogs cough occasionally, and it’s usually not a cause for concern, particularly if your pet has been coughing for a few days. However, if it continues beyond days, you might wonder why your dog constantly coughs; it could be problematic. So, it’s essential to identify why your dog coughs so you can receive veterinary treatment. This article addresses some prevalent concerns about coughing in dogs.
When to Take Your Pet to the Vet for Coughing
Suppose you are wondering why your dog coughs; you could be dealing with something as simple as allergies. In contrast, your pet might require veterinary care if it’s possible canine influenza. It’s vital to note the symptoms and cough type because the answer could be different for “Why is my dog dry coughing?” from “Why is my dog coughing and gagging.”
Moreover, dog coughs can be dry or wet, shallow or deep, can be a reverse sneeze, or can be accompanied by gagging. Some of the symptoms accompanying these coughs include fever, lethargy, appetite loss, and nasal discharge. It’s vital to take your dog to a veterinarian if coughing persists for over two days. At Alexander Animal Hospital, our vets can examine your dog’s cough and diagnose it so it can be treated immediately.
Causes of Dog Coughing
There are many potential reasons why your dog coughs. That is why it’s imperative to find a veterinarian like those at Alexander Animal Hospital, with the expertise to diagnose the cough’s underlying cause adequately. Check out some of the prevalent causes of coughing in dogs:
Viral, Bacterial, or Fungal Respiratory Infections
These infections can infect your dog’s lungs, airways, upper respiratory tract, or a combination, causing bronchitis and pneumonia. In addition, the canine influenza virus can result in fever, coughing, bronchitis, and nasal discharge, causing a dry, hacking cough. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections; however, the best thing you can do is to encourage your pet to rest, drink, and eat.
Allergies
Allergies to pollen, dust, smoke, food, insects, and human or other animal dander can cause coughing in dogs. Along with coughing, allergies can trigger sneezing, runny nose or eyes, wheezing, itching, vomiting, or diarrhea. The treatment depends on the allergies, but it may include removing allergens from the household or diet or using humidifiers and air purifiers.
Heartworm Disease
Heartworms can be fatal and are transmitted to dogs through mosquito bites. Fortunately, they can be avoided by applying monthly preventive medicines.
Tracheal Collapse is a Risk for Small Dogs
When the cartilage rings surrounding the trachea are weakened, the trachea collapses when the dog inhales, resulting in a chronic, honking cough. Your veterinarian can treat this medical condition with medications that decrease inflammation, suppress coughing, treat secondary infections, and dilate airways. In addition, environmental changes can help, such as not using aerosol cleaners or sprays, not smoking, not burning incense, or using humidifiers or air purifiers.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough often occurs when dogs are crowded into areas with poor airflow and warm, moist air, such as animal shelters, grooming facilities, boarding kennels, and dog parks. It’s the most prevalent cause of infectious coughing. Unfortunately, dogs can contract kennel cough when they are exposed to the respiratory secretions of an infected dog through coughing or sneezing or from sharing infected bowls and toys.
Reverse Sneezing is Not Usually a Cause for Concern
These sneezes occur in clusters because of inflammation, parasites, postnasal drainage, or foreign material that irritates the dog’s nasal passages. They are nothing to worry about unless they are frequent or severe or you notice nasal discharge.
Any time your dog coughs, it pays to call your veterinarian for advice. You can trust Alexander Animal Hospital to treat your pets as your own. Call us today at 410-777-8678 for your pet’s veterinary needs.
Support Your Pet’s Wellness at Alexander Animal Hospital
Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.
We understand you have a choice when deciding on the care for your pets, and we strive to provide you with unparalleled services including wellness exams, vaccines, lost pet microchip ID, dental care, surgical services, digital radiography, and in-hospital laboratory services and diagnostics. Other highlights of Alexander Animal Hospital are the separate cat and dog waiting and exam rooms, as well as after-hours on-call emergency services.
Please take a look around our website and then give us a call at 410-777-8678 to set up an appointment. We’re social! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for all the latest updates!