Why Does My Dog Cough?

Types of Dog Coughs

Identifying the kind of cough in your Dog is one approach to narrow down the causes of his cough.

This is crucial information to acquire since it will assist your vet in making a more informed decision about your dog's treatment.

Pose the following questions to yourself:

• Is it a cough that is deep, dry, and hacking?

• Is it a gagging, high-pitched cough?

• Is it a damp, phlegmy cough?

• Is it a honking, deep cough?

• Do you have a Dog who coughs in his sleep?

Each of these kinds of cough denotes a distinct condition.

When you visit your vet, ensure to specify the sound of your dog's cough.

This can assist in identifying whether or not it is an emergency or if it could be a contagious infection like kennel cough or canine influenza virus.

Typically, if you observe your dog's coughing pattern, you will be able to determine and treat their problem.

The little sharp cough usually indicates a throat blockage, whereas the dry hacking cough is typically associated with kennel cough but can also be found in other illnesses.

A wet, crackly cough indicates an infection or fluid buildup, as in pneumonia or other illnesses.

Causes of Dog Cough

As a Dog owner, you may feel at ease and secure in the presence of your dog.

But you must also make them feel the same way about you.

Because house Dogs spend most of their time indoors, it is important to watch them and observe any changes in their behavior.

One of the most common issues that Dog owners face is their Dog coughing or gagging.

Coughing might indicate a number of different problems.

While it may suggest that your Dog has ingested something that has become lodged in their windpipe, it also implies major health conditions such as a heart blockage, a nose or throat infection, or cancer.

If your dog has been coughing for more than three days, you should take them to the veterinarian.

Coughing in a dog could be caused by:

Kennel Cough

The common name for a deep, honking canine cough is kennel cough.

Is your Dog gagging and hacking at the same time? Consider the last week or so.

Were they at the groomer's, a Dog park, an obedience class, a shelter, or a park? They were most likely in the company of another sick canine.

Though kennel cough is more common in younger dogs, it can affect Dogs of any age.

Dogs with kennel cough have a hacking, dry, and harsh cough that gets worse if they tug on their leash while being walked.

Retching and subsequent vomiting can occur as a result of kennel cough.

Although kennel cough is highly contagious, it is not a dangerous illness in itself.

Your Dog will probably feel better in a week if they eat properly and act normally.

Your veterinarian should check to see if they require antibiotics or cough suppressants.

Antibiotics and cough suppressants are frequently administered to alleviate coughing and the risk of secondary illnesses such as pneumonia.

Canines infected with kennel cough are very contagious to other dogs.

The bacteria Bordetella bronchiectasis causes kennel cough, and there is a vaccine that can help stop your Dog from getting it in the future.

Consult your veterinarian about vaccinating your dog to lessen the risk of kennel cough.

Heart Disease

A heart valve or heart muscle disease is among the most prevalent causes of a dog's cough; this stops the dog's heart from pumping blood properly.

When some parts of the heart swell and compress the main airways in the lungs, coughing occurs, or when fluid backs up into the lungs

When a Dog coughs, you can typically determine if heart problems cause it since it is gentle and constant.

If your Dog is coughing due to heart illness, their cough will most likely be worse at night or when they're lying on their side, and they may experience a drop in energy and stamina.

If your dog's vet determines that heart problems cause the cough, he or she may be prescribed heart medications.

Pneumonia

Another common ailment that Dog owners are concerned about when their Dog coughs are pneumonia.

Bacteria, a preexisting viral infection (such as canine influenza or distemper), swallowing difficulty, regurgitation, or certain metabolic conditions can cause Dog pneumonia (lung inflammation).

A Dog cough with pneumonia sounds velvety and soft.

Your dog will most likely have a high fever, a poor appetite, and be tired if they have pneumonia.

They'll need vet care, plenty of water, and rest, and they may even need to be admitted to a hospital to recover.

Tracheal Collapse

Tracheal collapse is a condition in which the trachea, or windpipe, becomes soft and floppy; it most commonly affects small and toy breeds such as Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Pugs, and Shih Tzus.

Tracheal chondromalacia is the medical term for this ailment.

A dry, hacking, spasmodic cough characterizes Dogs suffering from tracheal collapse.

They cough a lot and have a hard time relaxing.

If they pull while on a leash, their coughing will intensify.

If your dog's trachea has totally collapsed, his or her cough may sound asthmatic.

Coughing is also more severe in overweight dogs, Dogs that are overheated or stimulated, and Dogs who have been exposed to pollutants or allergens in the air.

Because Dogs with tracheal collapse frequently have bronchitis or heart problems, they may have a variety of coughs.

Weight loss and cough suppressants, bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics are all used to treat tracheal collapse.

Your dog's veterinarian may propose surgery in severe circumstances.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease may be a more or less likely cause of coughing in dogs, depending on where you live.

While heartworms are more common in warmer climates, the illness can be contracted anyplace mosquitoes carry the disease.

Dogs with heartworm illness may cough or show no symptoms at all, depending on their size, the number of worms they're carrying, and their overall health.

If your Dog has the condition, they may exhibit symptoms such as a moderate, persistent cough, poor energy, weight loss, and decreased appetite.

A severe heartworm infestation can cause symptoms of heart failure, such as a swollen abdomen due to fluid accumulation.

Canine Influenza

Dogs, like people, are susceptible to the flu, which is referred to as canine influenza in dogs.

Coughing is caused by a respiratory infection that can persist anywhere from ten to thirty days.

As a course of therapy, your Dog will most likely be administered medication.

If you have additional pets in the house, isolate your ill Dog to their own area, as canine influenza is contagious among animals but, fortunately for you, it cannot be passed to or from people.

Sore Throat

A high-pitched, gagging cough may indicate upper airway irritation, illness, or even a partial obstruction.

Your Dog has a sore throat, which could be caused by tonsillitis (which is unusual in dogs), infections of the mouth or sinuses, or a foreign body or material trapped in his throat, producing discomfort and a sore throat.

Foreign materials in the throat are harmful because they obstruct adequate breathing and swallowing.

A foreign object in your dog's throat can be potentially fatal and necessitates quick medical intervention.

Diagnosing a Dog's Cough

Whether your Dog has recently developed a moderate cough and appears to be in good health, waiting a few days to see if the condition will resolve on its own is fair.

But, if the cough is particularly severe, worsens, or fails to resolve after a week or so, consult your vet.

Also, if your Dog is lethargic, has trouble breathing, isn't interested in food, or exhibits any other potentially serious symptoms, contact your vet right once.

Identifying the underlying cause of a dog's cough is the first step in treating it.

Your vet will begin the procedure by inquiring about your dog's medical history, travel, preventive care, onset and progression of symptoms, and so on.

He or she will then conduct a thorough physical examination.

A provisional diagnosis can sometimes be made at this point, but obtaining a definitive diagnosis frequently necessitates more diagnostic tests.

Depending on your dog's special conditions, a combination of tests may be required.

Home Remedies for Dog Cough

What would you do if your human child became ill? You'd tell him to get as much rest as possible and to stay hydrated.

Your Dog should be treated the same way.

When you combine this with one of the home remedies listed below, your Dog should feel much better in no time.

Bone Broth

Maintaining your dog's hydration is critical at all times, but particularly when he has a cough.

Coughing irritates and dries up the throat.

Although getting your Dog to drink water can be challenging, a little bone broth or low sodium chicken or beef broth can suffice.

Feed your Dog 1/4-1/2 cup of food 2-3 times per day (depending on his size).

Raw Honey

Honey has numerous recognized benefits, one of which is its ability to reduce coughing.

If your adult Dog has a moderate cough, a teaspoon of raw honey might help soothe the throat and reduce coughing.

Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory that aids in the fight against viruses and germs in the body.

Its qualities make it one of the most effective Dogs cough home treatments.

It's critical to utilize raw honey so that all of its medicinal benefits aren't destroyed by the pasteurization process.

Steam or Humidifier

A humidifier can make a great impact if your Dog is coughing because the air is extremely dry.

Placing a humidifier near your dog's kennel or bed will assist in moistening the air, making his cough less dry and painful.

It also helps to keep his nose and eyes from drying out.

If you don't have a humidifier, you can take your Dog with you into the bathroom while you shower.

The hot water's steam will do the same thing for your dog's painful, dry throat.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are found in various over-the-counter cough and cold medications for humans.

According to new research, a variety of essential oils can help relieve cough symptoms.

You can treat a coughing Dog by spraying his crate or bedding with a mixture of eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender.

This may assist in reducing coughing and disinfecting the air.

You can spray essential oils around your dog's sleeping area, or you can put the oils in a diffuser.

It functions as a small humidifier, mixing the oils with water vapor and dispersing them through the air.

Since a dog's sense of smell is so acute, it's critical to dilute essential oils with water before spraying them around your dog's sleeping space.

The best bet is to purchase essential oil blends designed expressly for use with pets.