Dog Cough: Deciphering the Causes

A dog's cough can be a concerning symptom for any pet owner. It can range from a mild, occasional nuisance to a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Understanding the various causes of a dog's cough is crucial for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What Causes a Dog to Cough?

1. Kennel Cough (Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis)

What It Is: Kennel cough is one of the most common causes of coughing in dogs, especially those who are in close contact with other dogs, such as at boarding facilities, dog parks, or grooming salons. It is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a combination of bacteria (Bordetella bronchiseptica) and viruses like the canine parainfluenza virus.

Symptoms:

• A dry, hacking cough, often described as a "honking" sound.
• Gagging or retching after coughing.
• Mild nasal discharge.
• Lack of appetite or lethargy in some cases.

2.Heart Disease

Congestive Heart Failure

As the heart becomes less efficient in pumping blood, fluid can build up in the lungs. This causes a cough that is often worse at night or when the dog is resting. The cough may be accompanied by difficulty breathing, lethargy, and a reduced appetite.

Heartworm Disease

Dirofilaria immitis, the heartworm parasite, can cause coughing in dogs. The worms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries, disrupting the normal blood flow. The cough may be a dry, hacking cough or a more productive cough with blood - tinged sputum in severe cases.

Symptoms:

• Persistent coughing, especially at night or after exercise.
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing.
• Exercise intolerance.
• Fatigue or weakness.

3. Collapsing Trachea

What It Is: A collapsing trachea occurs when the cartilage rings that support the windpipe become weak or deteriorate. This condition is more common in small dog breeds like Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and Shih Tzus. As the trachea weakens, it causes airway obstruction, leading to coughing.

Symptoms:

• A persistent, dry cough that sounds like a honk or goose-like sound.
• Coughing episodes triggered by excitement, exercise, or pulling on the leash.
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing.

4. Canine Asthma (Chronic Bronchitis)

What It Is: Asthma, or chronic bronchitis, in dogs occurs when the airways become inflamed, causing breathing difficulties and coughing. Dogs with asthma may have periods of coughing that worsen with exposure to allergens, irritants, or respiratory infections.

Symptoms:

• Frequent coughing, often accompanied by wheezing or labored breathing.
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing.
• Excessive panting.
• Lethargy or reduced activity levels.

5. Allergies

What It Is: Just like people, dogs can suffer from seasonal or environmental allergies, which can cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes. Common allergens include pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander.

Symptoms:

• Coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes.
• Itchy skin or paws.
• Clear nasal discharge or congestion.
• Occasionally, gastrointestinal upset.

6. Pneumonia

What It Is: Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, and general malaise. It may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi and can occur as a complication of other respiratory illnesses or infections like kennel cough or canine influenza.

Symptoms:

• Persistent coughing, often with mucus or phlegm.
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing.
• Fever and lethargy.
• Loss of appetite.

7. Foreign Object Inhalation

What It Is: If a dog inhales a foreign object, such as a small toy, bone fragment, or even food, it can become lodged in the airway, leading to coughing, gagging, and choking.

Symptoms:

• Sudden onset of coughing or gagging.
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing.
• Visible distress or anxiety.

8. Respiratory Infections (Canine Influenza)

What It Is: Canine influenza (dog flu) is caused by a virus that affects a dog’s respiratory system, leading to coughing, fever, nasal discharge, and lethargy. This viral infection is highly contagious and can spread quickly, especially in environments where dogs interact frequently.

1. Viruses
   • Canine parainfluenza virus is a common culprit. It is highly contagious and often spreads in kennels or areas where dogs are in close contact. Symptoms may include a dry, hacking cough, sneezing, and nasal discharge.
   • Another virus, canine influenza virus, can also cause coughing. It has emerged in recent years and can cause more severe respiratory symptoms in some dogs.
2. Bacteria
   • Bordetella bronchiseptica, also known as kennel cough bacteria, is a frequent cause of coughing in dogs. It is often associated with a "goose - honking" cough. Dogs in boarding facilities, dog shows, or those that have contact with other dogs are at high risk.
   • Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus can also infect the respiratory tract of dogs, leading to coughing, especially if the dog's immune system is weakened.

Symptoms:

• Coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge.
• Fever and lethargy.
• Loss of appetite.
• Mild eye discharge.

9.Pulmonary Edema

What It Is: Pulmonary edema is the buildup of fluid in the lungs, which can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, and labored breathing. It is often a result of heart failure, trauma, or other underlying conditions that impair lung function.

Symptoms:

• Persistent coughing, especially at night or after exertion.
• Labored or rapid breathing.
• Bluish tint to the gums (cyanosis).
• Weakness or lethargy.

How to Treat Dog Cough?

The treatment for dog cough depends on its cause, here are some common treatments.

I. For respiratory infections

1. Viral infections

If the cough is caused by canine parainfluenza virus or canine influenza virus, etc., the dog usually needs to rest more. Providing a warm, comfortable and well-ventilated resting environment will help your dog recover.
Ensure that your dog is taking in enough water. Clean water bowls can be used and fresh water changed frequently to prevent your dog from becoming dehydrated.

For some viral infections with more severe symptoms, antiviral medications may be used. For example, for canine influenza virus, some specific antiviral medications may be used in the early stages of the disease to alleviate the symptoms.

2. Bacterial infections

In the case of infections such as Bordetella (the bacterium that causes kennel cough), Streptococcus or Staphylococcus, the vet will usually prescribe the appropriate antibiotic based on the type of bacteria that is infecting the dog and the results of drug sensitivity tests. For example, doxycycline, which is commonly used, is given in the appropriate dose according to the dog's weight and usually needs to be given continuously for a period of time (usually 7 - 14 days) to completely clear the bacteria.

If the cough is accompanied by phlegm, cough expectorant medication such as Ambroxol may be used. It can help dilute the phlegm, making it easier for your dog to cough up and reducing the feeling of obstruction in the airways.

II. Heart disease related coughs

1. Congestive heart failure

Veterinarians may use angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) to reduce the burden on the heart and improve heart function. The dose is adjusted according to the severity of the dog's condition and usually needs to be given for a long time.
Diuretics may also be used to help flush excess water from the body and reduce fluid build-up in the lungs. Administer the medication in the prescribed dosage and keep an eye on your dog's urination and electrolyte balance. It may be necessary to feed your dog a specialised prescription heart disease food, which is usually low in sodium to help control water retention in the body and reduce the load on the heart.

2. Heartworm disease

If your dog is infected with heartworm, a specialised heartworm deworming medication will need to be used. However, this medication needs to be used with caution as the dead worms may cause an inflammatory reaction in the lungs during treatment. The dog's symptoms need to be closely monitored during treatment, and anti-inflammatory drugs may need to be used in conjunction.

III. Lung and Airway Diseases

1. Pneumonia

In the case of bacterial pneumonia, use the appropriate antibiotic according to the type of bacteria. For fungal pneumonia, such as Aspergillus infection, antifungal drugs may be needed. It is important to have regular reviews during treatment to make sure the infection is under control. Similar to supportive treatment for respiratory infections, provide a comfortable resting environment, ensure adequate fluid intake, and may require oxygen therapy if necessary, especially for dogs with respiratory distress.

Related: Pneumonia Aspiration in Dogs

2. Bronchitis

If chronic bronchitis is caused by environmental factors, such as smoke or pollutant exposure, the dog's living environment needs to be improved. Avoid exposing your dog to second-hand smoke, chemical cleaners, and other irritants.

Bronchodilators may be used to relieve spasms in the bronchial tubes and reduce coughing symptoms. Glucocorticoids may also be used in conjunction to reduce the inflammatory response.

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3. Tracheal collapse

In dogs with mild tracheal collapse, cough suppressants may be used to control the cough. Corticosteroids are also used to reduce the inflammation of the trachea. In some cases, a special collar, such as a chest and back collar, may be used instead of a traditional collar to reduce pressure on the trachea. For severe tracheal collapse, surgery may be required.

IV. Foreign body-related cough

1. Inhaled foreign body

If the foreign body can be removed by means such as bronchoscopy, the veterinarian will prefer this option. For example, in dogs that have inhaled small toy fragments, if the fragments are not too deeply located, they can be removed with instruments under a bronchoscope.
If the foreign body is deeper or causes severe lung damage, open heart surgery may be required to remove the foreign body. After the foreign body is removed, antibiotics may be needed to prevent infection, following the usual post-operative anti-infection protocol.

2. Ingested foreign bodies

Removal of foreign body

If the foreign body is in the oesophagus, it may be removed endoscopically or surgically. If the foreign body has caused inflammation of the surrounding tissues, appropriate anti-inflammatory treatment is also needed.

How to Prevent Coughing in Dogs?

• Deworm your dog regularly

Deworm your dog regularly to prevent coughing due to parasitic infections. 

• Keep your dog's environment clean

Regularly clean your dog's bed, toys and food bowls to keep the environment clean and avoid the spread of bacteria and viruses. In addition, avoid letting your dog come into contact with dogs with respiratory diseases, as respiratory diseases such as kennel cough are highly contagious. 

• Pay attention to your dog's diet and lifestyle

A healthy diet will boost your dog's immunity and make it more resistant to disease. It is important to provide your dog with a nutritionally balanced diet and make sure they have plenty of water. In addition, regular exercise and moderate rest will help keep your dog healthy, thus reducing the risk of contracting respiratory diseases. 

• Vaccination

Prevent respiratory diseases by vaccinating your dog regularly with relevant vaccines, such as kennel cough vaccine and distemper vaccine, as recommended by your vet. 

• Precautions when walking your dog

When you go out to walk your dog, you should avoid your dog to eat anything, otherwise it will be easy to cause cough due to the irritation of foreign objects. 

When to See a Veterinarian

While coughing is often a mild and temporary condition, persistent or severe coughing in dogs should not be ignored. If your dog is coughing excessively, has difficulty breathing, or displays signs of distress, seek veterinary care immediately. A veterinarian will be able to diagnose the underlying cause of the cough and recommend appropriate treatment to ensure your dog’s health and comfort.

FAQs

How do I clear my dog's throat?

Provide plenty of clean drinking water. Water can help moisten your dog's throat, and sometimes your dog may just have a slight dirt or irritant in their throat that drinking water can act as a rinse. If your dog is not too keen on drinking water, try using a pet-friendly waterer or adding a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth (without onions and other ingredients harmful to dogs) to the water to entice your dog to drink.

When your dog's throat is uncomfortable, you can let your dog stay in a steam-filled bathroom (but be careful not to use too high a temperature to avoid burning your dog). The steam will moisten your dog's airways and relieve the dryness and irritation of the throat. Simply leave your dog in a steamy environment for 5 - 10 minutes at a time. However, this method is only suitable for relatively mild cases of throat irritation and not if your dog has severe breathing problems.

Gently pat your dog's chest and throat area. Starting at the bottom of your dog's throat and working your way down the chest, pat gently, as this will help loosen any phlegm or minor foreign objects that may be stuck in the throat. However, be careful with the strength to avoid causing injury to your dog.

Can bad teeth in dogs cause coughing?

• Gum Disease and Infection

When a dog has bad teeth, such as when suffering from severe gum disease, bacteria may enter the bloodstream from the gums. Once in the bloodstream, these bacteria may spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs, which can cause lung infections and lead to coughing.

• Loose or Missing Teeth

If your dog's teeth are loose or falling out, they may accidentally swallow pieces of teeth or other foreign objects during chewing. These foreign objects can potentially enter the respiratory tract and irritate the throat or trachea, triggering a cough reflex. In addition, bad teeth can affect your dog's normal chewing function, resulting in food being swallowed without being adequately chewed, and larger pieces of food may get stuck in the throat or at the entrance to the oesophagus, causing coughing.

• Oral Inflammation Causing Discharge

Oral inflammation caused by dental problems can produce excessive secretions in the mouth, which may accidentally enter the trachea when the dog swallows, irritating the mucous membranes of the trachea and causing coughing.

Can kennel cough go away on its own?

In some cases, mild kennel cough may go away on its own. If the dog's own immunity is strong and the number of pathogens infecting the dog is low and relatively pathogenic, kennel cough may resolve on its own within 1 - 2 weeks. During this time the dog needs plenty of rest, nutritionally balanced food and clean water to help the body recover.
 
However, if the kennel cough is caused by a mixture of pathogens (e.g. distemper virus mixed with bacteria) or if the dog itself is immunocompromised (e.g. a puppy, a senior dog, or a dog with other chronic illnesses), the kennel cough usually does not go away on its own, and it may get progressively worse, leading to other complications, such as pneumonia. In such cases, prompt medical attention is required for diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion

Coughing in dogs can result from a wide variety of conditions, ranging from harmless irritants to serious illnesses like heart disease or pneumonia. Identifying the cause of your dog’s cough is crucial for providing appropriate treatment. If your dog’s cough persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is important to consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and receive the necessary treatment. With proper care, many dogs can recover from coughing-related conditions and return to their healthy, active selves.