Cough in Dogs

Table of Contents

• Coughing in Dogs Symptoms and Treatment Process
• What is Coughing in Dogs?
• Causes of Coughing in Dogs
• What are the Symptoms of Coughing in Dogs?
• How is Coughing in Dogs Diagnosed?
• Treatment of Coughing in Dogs
• What Should Be Done to Prevent Coughing in Dogs?
• Is Cough in Dogs Transmissible to Humans?

Coughing in Dogs Symptoms and Treatment Process

Dogs explore the world with their noses, and sometimes their mouths, making them susceptible to dust, germs, and foreign objects. While all of these can cause coughing, each cough may indicate a different underlying issue.

Occasional coughing, especially related to sniffing, can be a normal dog behavior, but persistent coughing, particularly if accompanied by changes in breathing sounds or patterns, may be a sign of a more serious problem.

What is Coughing in Dogs?

Coughing in dogs is a reflex response that rapidly expels air. This can indicate irritation or an abnormal condition in the respiratory tract. Coughing often occurs due to the inhalation of a foreign object, infection, allergies, or certain chronic health issues.

Causes of Coughing in Dogs

Coughing in dogs can become a sign of abnormalities or irritations in the respiratory tract. There can be many reasons underlying this reflex response. The most common causes of coughing in dogs include:

• Infectious Diseases: One of the most common causes of coughing in dogs is infectious diseases. Respiratory tract infections caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, commonly known as kennel cough, and the parainfluenza virus fall into this category.
• Foreign Object: The entry of an object into a dog's respiratory tract can lead to irritation and coughing. Immediate intervention is crucial in such situations.
• Allergies: Reactions to allergens such as pollen, dust, or certain foods can cause coughing.
• Heart Disease: Especially in advanced stages, leakage of fluid into the lungs may occur, often leading to coughing.
• Parasites: Respiratory parasites like lungworms can cause irritation leading to coughing.
• Tumors and Masses: Tumors or masses developing in the lungs or airways can cause coughing.
• Chronic Bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis, which causes prolonged inflammation, can lead to coughing, especially in older dogs.
• Pneumonia: Pneumonia is another common condition that often concerns pet owners when they notice their dogs coughing. Pneumonia in dogs (lung inflammation) can result from bacteria, an existing viral infection (such as canine influenza or distemper), or certain metabolic disorders. In the case of pneumonia, a dog's cough is typically moist and soft. If your dog has pneumonia, it will likely also have a high fever, loss of appetite, and low energy.

What are the Symptoms of Coughing in Dogs?

A dog's cough can be triggered by various reasons. Therefore, it's important to recognize other accompanying symptoms to understand the underlying cause of your dog's cough. Here are common signs of coughing in dogs:

• Dry or "Hacking" Cough: This type of cough often indicates viral or bacterial infections.
• Honking/Pig-like/Whistle Sound: Coughs of this nature can be a sign of tracheal problems, especially in small breed dogs.
• Wet Cough with Phlegm: If your dog is coughing with phlegm or mucus, it may indicate a lower respiratory tract infection or pneumonia.
• Repetitive and Straining Coughing Fits: Parasites (heartworms) can lead to coughing fits of this kind.
• Vomiting After Coughing: If your dog brings back stomach contents after coughing, it may indicate that the coughing is intense or repetitive.
• Wheezing While Breathing: The presence of wheezing along with coughing may indicate an obstruction or allergy in the respiratory tract.
• Loss of Energy or Appetite: If you observe a general decline in your dog's health, it could be a sign of a serious respiratory problem or another illness.
• Discharge from Eyes and Nose: This symptom could be an indicator of an upper respiratory tract infection.

How is Coughing in Dogs Diagnosed?

The first step in treating a dog's cough is to identify the underlying cause. Veterinarians will initially ask questions about the dog's health history, travel, and preventive care, as well as when the symptoms started and how they have progressed. Following this, a complete physical examination can be conducted. Sometimes, a temporary diagnosis can be reached at this point, but achieving a definitive diagnosis often requires testing.

Depending on your dog's specific situation, a combination of the following tests may be necessary:

• Blood biochemistry panel
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or Troponin blood test for heart disease
• Urinalysis
• Fecal examination
• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart)
• Blood pressure measurement
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Examination of fluid samples taken from the respiratory tract
• Bronchoscopy to evaluate the trachea and main airways (bronchi) from the mouth

Treatment of Coughing in Dogs

Coughing in dogs can occur due to various reasons. Therefore, before starting the treatment for a dog's cough, the first and most important step is to determine the underlying cause as clearly as possible. If the underlying cause of the cough is serious, your dog may need to be admitted to intensive care and receive treatment in the hospital.

Oxygen therapy can be applied to dogs, especially those experiencing difficulty in breathing, and broad-spectrum antibiotics can be given for common infections that may be one of the causes of coughing. When starting antibiotic treatment, it is crucial to administer the medication for the entire prescribed duration. Even if the symptoms observed in dogs improve, prematurely discontinuing the antibiotic can lead to the infection returning in a more severe form.

It should be noted that in most cases, coughing is not the primary issue but rather a symptom.

What Should Be Done to Prevent Coughing in Dogs?

Coughing in dogs can arise from various causes. Therefore, preventive measures to avoid the occurrence of coughing are quite diverse. Some of these measures include:

• Regular Veterinary Check-ups: It is important for your dog to undergo regular veterinary check-ups to prevent coughing. This is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.
• Vaccination: Ensuring that all vaccinations for your dog are up-to-date can indirectly prevent coughing by preventing some viral and bacterial infections.
• Parasite Preventive Measures: Parasites such as heartworm can lead to coughing in dogs. Taking regular preventive measures against parasites can reduce this risk.
• Well-Ventilated Environments: Closed and poorly ventilated environments can increase the risk of infection spread. Particularly in places where many dogs are present, having a good ventilation system helps prevent the risk of transmission. It also reduces factors such as cigarette smoke, irritating odors, and dust.
• Balanced Nutrition and Physical Activity: Ensuring your dog receives balanced nutrition, maintaining weight control, and engaging in regular physical activity can support overall health and reduce the risk of coughing.

Is Cough in Dogs Transmissible to Humans?

Our close relationships with our pets can bring about some health-related issues. Coughing in dogs is a commonly encountered symptom. It is crucial to determine whether this cough is due to an infection that can be transmitted to humans. Some diseases can pass from animals to humans, and these are called zoonotic diseases. However, most cases causing coughing in dogs are not zoonotic and do not pose a risk of transmission to humans. Nevertheless, if your dog is coughing and the underlying cause is undetermined, limiting direct contact by adhering to basic hygiene rules can be beneficial.