Coughing is a natural actions for mammals. It is a reaction to any foreign objects which enters the animals breathing area, nose, lungs etc. Such foreign objects could be food items loged in the throat or some bug your dog caught while barking off his head. Coughing among dogs is not a disease itself. But sometimes it is a signal of illnesses within the animal. The list below indicates illnesses which may cause your dog to cough.
Diseases and Conditions Signaled by Dog Cough
Heart problems - Dogs with heart problems often cough after they become excited or have just exercised.
Kennel Cough - A raspy cough could signal "kennel cough" or dog bronchitis, a highly contagious illness often caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica or another virus or infection. It is preventable with a vaccination, but once infected; your dog should see a veterinarian.
Food obstruction - Many dog coughs are actually attempts to remove food that was improperly chewed and has become lodged in the esophagus. If food is not expelled properly and enters the respiratory tract, a dog will continue to cough to expel it and prevent any further complications such as pneumonia.
Parainfluenza - This viral infection is characterized by a dry cough combined with sneezing. It is a highly contagious respiratory illness requiring a visit to your veterinarian.
Pyothorax - This common disease causes a dog to cough as a result of puss and fluids accumulated in the lungs and bronchial tubes in response to an infection. Made up of white blood cells (neutrophils) and dead cells, pus is the body's natural immune response to an infection. Eventually, the white blood cells die, leaving the thick whitish-yellow fluid that is characteristic of pus.
Edema of the Lungs - This cough often afflicts dogs living in poorly ventilated homes. Edema is the medical term for swelling. Body parts swell from injury or inflammation. It can affect a small area or the entire body. Medications, infections, pregnancy, and many other medical problems can cause edema. Edema happens when your small blood vessels become "leaky" and release fluid into nearby tissues. That extra fluid builds up, which makes the tissue swell.
Canine Tuberculosis -This is similar to tuberculosis in humans and characterized by a cough that produces blood. This can be cought by ingesting infected animal products. Tuberculosis is a contagious disease and a zoonotic disease, which means it can spread from animals to humans
Dog Cough Treatment and Prevention
Diseases and Conditions Signaled by Dog Cough
Heart problems - Dogs with heart problems often cough after they become excited or have just exercised.
Kennel Cough - A raspy cough could signal "kennel cough" or dog bronchitis, a highly contagious illness often caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica or another virus or infection. It is preventable with a vaccination, but once infected; your dog should see a veterinarian.
Food obstruction - Many dog coughs are actually attempts to remove food that was improperly chewed and has become lodged in the esophagus. If food is not expelled properly and enters the respiratory tract, a dog will continue to cough to expel it and prevent any further complications such as pneumonia.
Parainfluenza - This viral infection is characterized by a dry cough combined with sneezing. It is a highly contagious respiratory illness requiring a visit to your veterinarian.
Pyothorax - This common disease causes a dog to cough as a result of puss and fluids accumulated in the lungs and bronchial tubes in response to an infection. Made up of white blood cells (neutrophils) and dead cells, pus is the body's natural immune response to an infection. Eventually, the white blood cells die, leaving the thick whitish-yellow fluid that is characteristic of pus.
Edema of the Lungs - This cough often afflicts dogs living in poorly ventilated homes. Edema is the medical term for swelling. Body parts swell from injury or inflammation. It can affect a small area or the entire body. Medications, infections, pregnancy, and many other medical problems can cause edema. Edema happens when your small blood vessels become "leaky" and release fluid into nearby tissues. That extra fluid builds up, which makes the tissue swell.
Canine Tuberculosis -This is similar to tuberculosis in humans and characterized by a cough that produces blood. This can be cought by ingesting infected animal products. Tuberculosis is a contagious disease and a zoonotic disease, which means it can spread from animals to humans
Dog Cough Treatment and Prevention
- Cough suppressants, expectorants, anti-tussive and herbal remedies to treat benign dog coughs as a symptom of a larger problem.
- Antibiotics for viral or secondary bacterial infection in the respiratory tract, such as Clavamox, as prescribed by your veterinarian can be very helpful in treating dog cough.
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