Dogs can develop coughs for many different reasons and there are many types of coughs. It is the type of cough and any other present symptoms that help us to make a judgement of what exactly may be causing the cough in our dog. Some causes are relatively easy to treat, whereas other causes are more serious and will require prompt treatment or medication to solve the problem.
Types of Coughs in Dogs:
- Dry
- Hacking
- Moist
- Deep
- Gagging
- Honking
Coughing in dogs can sometimes occur every so often, for long periods at a time or can come and go in bouts.
Causes of Coughing in Dogs:
- Kennel Cough – your dog will have a dry, powerful and hacking cough with possible sneezing, eye discharge and a runny nose present.
- Bronchitis – your dog will have a nagging dry cough that is aggravated by exercise or movement, they may also retch and foamy saliva can be present.
- Distemper – your dog will have a dry cough with thick eye and nasal discharge.
- Parasites – your dog may develop a cough as the parasites work their way into the respiratory tract.
- Fungal Infection – your dog may sometimes develop a cough with a fungal infection too.
- Heart Disease and Heart Failure – your dog develops a prolonged cough that occurs after exercise and worsens at night.
- Heartworm – your dog develops a cough as an advanced stage of heartworm.
- Collapsing Trachea – your dog will have a cough that sounds like a honk due to inflammation in the respiratory tract.
- Allergies – your dog may have inhaled an irritant that he has an allergy to and this can cause a moist cough.
- Auto Immune Disease – your dog may express the same cough as a dog would do with an allergy cough, a moist cough, due to the increased production of mucus.
- Pneumonia – your dog will have a cough and possibly nasal discharge.
- Collar is too tight – your dog may need his collar loosening as it could be putting pressure on his respiratory tract.
So it is also important to look out for the vital signs that accompany coughing as well as symptoms not to be ignored such as; fever, sickness, diarrhea, breathing difficulties and lethargy. If your dog has just started coughing or if you have noticed they have been coughing for a few days, the best thing is to take them to the vet for a check-up, better to be safe than sorry, as coughing in dogs should never be left. A lot of the coughing symptoms are similar for non serious and serious conditions so it is hard to make a firm diagnosis without seeing a vet.
