A dog’s cough can be a worrisome sound for any pet owner. While occasional coughing might be normal, persistent or severe coughing can indicate an underlying health issue. Understanding the potential causes, symptoms, and treatment options for canine coughs can help you determine when to seek veterinary care for your furry friend.
Coughing in dogs can stem from various factors, ranging from minor irritations to serious conditions. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons why dogs cough:
Common Causes of Dog Coughing
Infectious Diseases
Infections, including viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic, can affect a dog’s respiratory system, leading to coughing. These infections can target the upper respiratory tract, lungs (pneumonia), airways (bronchitis), or a combination of these areas (bronchopneumonia).
Chronic Bronchitis
Persistent inflammation in a dog’s airways, even without an identifiable cause, often points to chronic bronchitis. This condition typically presents as a dry, hacking cough that intensifies with exercise or excitement and progressively worsens over time.
Allergies
Allergies trigger an immune system overreaction to environmental substances (allergens). This response can cause inflammation in the airways and lungs, leading to coughing.
Reverse Sneezing
Often mistaken for coughing, reverse sneezing is a distinct sound caused by irritation in the back of a dog’s nasal passages. While generally harmless, frequent or severe reverse sneezing accompanied by nasal discharge or facial asymmetry warrants a vet visit.
Heart Disease
Various heart conditions, including mitral valve endocardiosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure, can induce coughing in dogs.
Collapsing Trachea
Common in smaller breeds, a collapsing trachea occurs when the cartilage rings supporting the trachea weaken. This causes the trachea to narrow during inhalation, resulting in a chronic cough often described as a “goose honk.”
Pulmonary Hypertension
High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) restricts blood flow and oxygen delivery, potentially leading to coughing. This condition can arise from chronic lung disease, heartworm disease, or pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clots in the pulmonary arteries).
Heartworm Disease
Transmitted through mosquito bites, heartworms mature in a dog’s heart and lungs, causing inflammation and coughing. This potentially fatal disease requires prompt veterinary attention.
Foreign Objects
Inhaled foreign material lodged in the airways can trigger a cough as the body attempts to expel the obstruction. Veterinary intervention may be necessary for removal.
Foxtails
Grass awns, known as foxtails, can penetrate a dog’s skin and migrate into the lungs or chest cavity, causing coughing and potentially leading to serious complications like pneumonia.
Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal paralysis hinders the full opening of the larynx (windpipe entrance) due to nerve weakness, leading to coughing, noisy breathing, and shortness of breath.
Cancer
Coughing can be an early sign of cancer affecting the lungs, respiratory tract, heart, or surrounding tissues.
Rat Poison Ingestion
Anticoagulant rat poisons interfere with blood clotting, potentially causing bleeding into the chest cavity and leading to coughing. Ingestion of rat poison requires immediate emergency veterinary care.
Esophagitis
Inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), often caused by stomach acid reflux, can result in coughing.
Tumors in the Larynx and Trachea
While rare, tumors in the larynx or trachea can obstruct airflow and cause coughing, difficulty breathing, and problems with eating and drinking.
Aspiration Pneumonia
Inhaling food, water, vomit, or regurgitated material can lead to aspiration pneumonia, an infection and inflammation in the lungs characterized by coughing, breathing difficulties, and potentially reduced oxygen levels.
Indoor Irritants
Household sprays and airborne irritants can irritate a dog’s airways, particularly in sensitive individuals or those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Lung Lobe Torsion
Lung lobe torsion, a condition where a lung twists on itself, blocking airflow, is more prevalent in dogs with fluid in the chest, heart disease, or other underlying conditions.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
Consult your veterinarian immediately if your dog exhibits frequent coughing accompanied by:
- Lethargy
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Coughing up blood
- Green or yellow nasal or eye discharge
- Heavy or rapid breathing
- Protruding eyes
- Facial asymmetry
- Whistling sound while breathing
- Change in bark
- Exercise intolerance
Diagnosing and Treating Dog Coughs
Veterinarians diagnose the cause of a cough through a thorough history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests like bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal examination, chest X-rays, echocardiography, and more specialized procedures.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include antibiotics, dewormers, steroids, bronchodilators, cardiac medications, surgery, and supportive care such as cough suppressants, humidifiers, fluids, and oxygen therapy.
Conclusion
A dog’s cough can signify various health issues, ranging from mild to life-threatening. Observing your dog for accompanying symptoms and consulting with your veterinarian are crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes and ensure your dog’s well-being. Remember, never administer human medications to your dog without veterinary approval.
