What is Coughing?
A mild cough is not always cause for concern in dogs and most resolve within a few days. However, frequent ongoing coughing (or tussis) is a sign of illness. Coughing is the body’s mechanism for preventing germs, dust and other harmful substances from entering the lungs and for moving phlegm and mucous containing harmful substances out of the lungs. Cardiovascular problems and restricted airways due to inflammation or fluid buildup can cause coughing. If your pet has been coughing and cannot seem to stop, it could be indicative of infection, heart disease, a foreign object or other condition and should receive medical attention.
Cough is caused by irritation of the throat, airways or the lungs. There are dozens of causes corresponding to dog cough. A thorough history, documentation of the type of cough, and physical examination help the veterinarian decide which causes of cough are most likely in your dog and helps him or her decide which diagnostic tests and therapies will be required.
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Symptoms of Coughing in Dogs
If your pet is exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms, you will want to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian. Be sure to note which of the following symptoms are occurring as this information can be helpful in diagnosis:
- Cough that is worsening
- Cough lasting more than 5 days
- Cough upon excitement
- Cough after exercise
- Cough after eating or drinking
- Cough during rest time
- Dry scratchy sounding cough
- Moist productive sounding cough
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Fast or laboured breathing
- Reduced exercise tolerance
Types
Coughing can be characterized by sound and frequency.
- Reverse sneeze – This is not a cough. It is a repeated inhalation spasm that can sound like snorting and may be confused for a cough.
- Hacking – A short, repeating cough. Sounds like the pet is trying to clear his throat.
- Gagging – Sounds like the pet may vomit.
- Honking cough – Sounds like a goose honk.
- Dry cough – Cough with no fluid involved, more in response to an irritation or constricted airway.
- Productive cough – Moist cough that produces phlegm, mucous or foam.
- Chronic cough – Ongoing cough throughout the day or that returns daily during the same activity (after eating, rest, sleep, exercise, excitement, or other daily events).
- Acute cough – Small attacks of coughing due that subside after a few minutes and do not return.
It can be useful to video the cough to show the vet, in case your pet does not cough during their physical exam.
Causes of Coughing in Dogs
Possible causes of coughing in dogs include:
- Kennel Cough – This infection causes a honking dry cough, gagging and hacking. If your pet has been at the groomers, a shelter, a kennel, or dog park in the last week or two, he may have contracted kennel cough, a viral infection.
- Larynx/esophageal disease – coughing that occurs after eating is a sign of this; older dogs tend to be affected.
- Fungal infection – Yeast or fungi from the environment can enter the lungs and cause infection (histoplasmosis, coccidiomycosis, blastomycosis). The likelihood of this occurring depends on where you live.
- Heartworms – Mosquitoes transmit infection with this parasite that is often accompanied by a chronic cough. Monthly heartworm prevention can reduce the risk of this.
- Distemper – The distemper virus is a highly contagious respiratory virus. An effective vaccine is available to prevent infection with distemper virus.
- Heart disease – When the heart becomes enlarged, pressure is put on the lungs causing a cough. Fluids can also build up. Medication is available to provide comfort and lessen coughing.
- Bronchitis/pneumonia – These respiratory problems are accompanied by coughing.
- Allergies – Pollens, smoke and other inhaled allergens can result in an immune response and coughing.
- Foreign object – Grass seeds, dirt or food can be inhaled resulting in a chronic cough and possible airway infection.
- Collapsed trachea– Certain breeds and overweight pets are susceptible to the trachea folding in which causes coughing. Surgical intervention is possible in severe cases.
- Lung cancer – Lung cancer results in decreased oxygen flow from the lungs to the blood stream and is accompanied by a chronic cough.
Diagnosis of Coughing in Dogs
History
It is important to visit the veterinarian and receive a diagnosis and proper treatment when a chronic cough is involved. The history is important for the diagnosis of the underlying cause. You will need to let your veterinarian know your pet’s recent activities, current health issues, when the coughing started, how often the coughing is occurring, when the coughing occurs (any association with exercise, sleep, rest, excitement, eating, drinking), what the cough sounds like, if the cough is dry or productive, and if your pet is currently taking any medications.
Physical Exam
The physical exam will include listening to the pet’s lungs and heart, since chronic cough is associated with either respiratory or cardiovascular issues. He may gently rub the trachea to cause the pet to cough so he can listen to the sound (an elicited cough is known as a 'positive tracheal pinch'). Coughing resulting from tracheal manipulation is likely due to respiratory problem. Heart murmurs or abnormal rhythms indicate a heart related issue.
Laboratory Diagnostics
Laboratory diagnostics can include a complete blood cell count (CBC) to detect the presence of allergies, parasites or infection. A biochemical profile can determine liver and kidney function. If the cough produces blood or if nosebleeds are involved, clotting assays can rule out any blood clotting deficiencies. A heartworm test may be ordered to determine the presence of heartworms. In more severe cases, a bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) will be performed so a fluid sample from the lungs can be cultured to determine source of infection.
Chest radiographs are helpful in visualizing issues in the heart and lungs. An enlarged heart, the presence of tumors, pneumonia or foreign bodies all are associated with chronic cough.
Treatment of Coughing in Dogs
Never treat a cough yourself at home with cough suppressants. Certain medications can worsen the condition and even lead to death if used inappropriately when dealing with cough.
Treatment of a cough is based on diagnosis and can range from administration of cough suppressants to providing medication for other underlying conditions or surgery. Cough usually resolves once the underlying issue is treated.
Your pet may require hospitalization in severe cases when breathing is difficult. Oxygen administration can help restore oxygen supplies and an antibiotic injection and/or intravenous fluid therapy may be needed. Steroid medications can help to treat allergic conditions.
Follow up appointments may be requested so the veterinarian can evaluate treatment efficacy.
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Recovery of Coughing in Dogs
Follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully during aftercare. Always continue the entire course of medicine such as antibiotics, even after symptoms resolve. If the coughing continues or worsens after treatment, be sure to let your vet know.
During home care, try to keep you pet free from distraction by other pets or children. Rest and sleep are vital for a strong and quick recovery. Always keep your pet current on vaccinations and if mosquitoes are an issue in your location, continue a monthly heartworm preventative.
Coughing Average Cost
From 26 quotes ranging from $300 - $4,000
Average Cost
$2,200
Top
Coughing Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
retriever spaniel mix
Ten Years
40 found this helpful
40 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
After being groomed a week ago, our dog is hacking and coughing.
Dec. 13, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
40 Recommendations
Hello, this could be kennel cough from getting groomed or he could have a respiratory infection. Since I cannot listen to her it may be best to see your vet. If it is kennel cough usually these get better with time. Your vet will most likely want to take x rays of his lungs to see what is causing him to cough
Dec. 13, 2020
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Boston Terrier
14weeks
8 found this helpful
8 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Morning Raspy Cough When Trying To Bark
As above
No temp, still eating and acting normal
Only had it the last 2 morning
Fully up to date with vac
Not yet mixed with other dogs except our fully vac 3yo staffy
And seems to lessen as day gos on
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
8 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Your pup may have gotten a little irritation in its' throat, or may be fighting off kennel cough. If the problem is not improving, it would be best to have him/her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pup and see what might be causing this.
Oct. 11, 2020
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Labrador Retriever
Benelli
3 Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Gagging
Dry Cough
Hey My Dog 3 year old lab and I went out duck hunting in MN on Saturday, and We noticed that she seemed more tired than normal on Sunday and had a cough Sunday night. She still has the cough. it occurs at all times of the day but its random. It can occur in the middle of night or after exercising. Its a dry, gagging cough. Any suggestions as to what it could be? My wife was thinking Kennel cough but she hasn't been around any other dogs. She was to vet on Sept. 10 for a check up. And was out bird hunting on Sept. 12. That was the last time she was around other dogs.
Sept. 25, 2018
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Maltese
Mr Charlie Angel Bear
11 Years
15 found this helpful
15 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing Hacking Black Poop
My lil Mr Charlie Angel Bear has had an on and off cough for a cpl months and I have noticed when he is resting I can hear him what sounds like breathing but almost like a soft whimper breathing then as of last night he started coughing hacking real bad couldn’t bark at t.v without coughing real bad and then he spit up clear bile once and had black poop and slept under our bed all night and he always always sleeps on the bed btween our feet our in the middle of us stretched out on his back like a human and last night he wouldn’t even come out from under bed all night long until just now when Dad went downstairs. What could be the cause. Of this and what do I do?
Aug. 21, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
15 Recommendations
Small dogs are commonly affected by tracheal problems, and dogs can develop other problems with their heart and lungs as they get older. The best thing to do would be to have an examination with a veterinarian for him, as they can assess his heart and lungs and see what might be going on with him and any treatment that he might need.
Aug. 21, 2018
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miniature doxie
pickles
7 Years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Gagging
Coughing
my miniature doxie has had her cough for almost 2 months.. shes been treated 4 times for kennel cough.. i have done everything including calling a friend from collage thats a vet..
shes had a xray of her throat, nothing is collapsed just a bit inflamed.. 4 shots of different things.. tons of pills .. ive even started giving her robitussin, so far her cough is suppressed, but comes back a little when its time for the next dose.. she is on her singlr dose of enrofloxacin .. if this last pill doesnt help, what can i do next??
June 7, 2018
12 Recommendations
The main problem is that we don’t know what the underlying cause of the cough is; there are many reasons for a dog to cough, many of which would have been ruled out by your Veterinarian by either diagnostics (x-ray) or treatment (with different antibiotics). I’m not sure what else to recommend at this point, the cough may be induced due to an allergy or other external factor (chemicals etc…) however further diagnostics will be needed to determine a specific cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 8, 2018
I have a rat terrier mix she is about 12. We have been to countless appointments and vets trying to figure out why she has this cough.Vets are just retesting at this point. Trixies cough doesnt seem to cause any distress no specific time or activity/nonactivity just is. Our other dogs are fine.. Any auggweations
Sept. 8, 2018
Shane G.
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Boxer
Junior
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing
Coughing Vomiting
My 10.5-year-old boxer started coughing one day and then coughing accompanied by vomiting. He was vomiting 8-10 times per day. I went to the vet and was given two different antibiotics, a cough pill, a vomit pill, a vomiting shot and some canned food. Fast forward two weeks and he just started coughing again. Saturday morning was the last dose of his last antibiotic. He vomited brown liquid Saturday night and vomited his dinner last night. He seems only to cough when laying down or sleeping. I am thinking about calling the veterinarian before it gets worse. It almost sounds like he is choking on something. Can you give suggestions for a plan of care or direction of where I should look? That last visit cost me $250 and I cannot say I want to keep shelling out money with no answers. I love him, but he is a 10.5 year old boxer. He is fine overall, still runs around the yard, seems happy and is still a cuddle bear. Would x-rays reveal the cause? Ultrasound? I know antibiotics have some antianflamitory effects on the body, maybe I need to suggest predizone? Any suggests are welcomed.
Jack Russell Terrier cross Corgi
Jackie
16 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Gagging
Our JRT Jackie is an amazing member of our family, we took over looking after her when my elderly Father of 90 moved to a two bed disabled bungalow, Jackie was 14 when she came to live with us and has surpassed all expectations, she is 16 now and bounces backwards in the hall when it's time for walkies, we take her out three times a day for 20 minutes so she eats well and lives a happy spoilt life apart from the gagging after meals and some times after her personal grooming, after listening to all dog owners we are at a loss
Coughing Average Cost
From 26 quotes ranging from $300 - $4,000
Average Cost
$2,200
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