Have an Emergency?Hearing a dog cough once in a while is not enough to sound the alarm of worry and panic in Dallas, TX. Although this is true, it is also true that dogs don’t usually cough in general. If your dog is coughing and sputtering, it is likely that something is wrong.
Just like humans, dogs cough to get toxins, foreign objects, and bacteria out of their system or when there is something irritating their lungs. This is why your dog will cough after eating too quickly since food tends to get stuck in the throat, causing them an uncomfortable feeling.
Thankfully, most of the time your dog is coughing, it is harmless and goes away on its own time. However, if you have noticed that the cough is still active and around, you should call your local vet to see about taking some tests to find the cause and a solution.
Five Reasons Why Your Dog Is Coughing
So, what are some common reasons your dog is coughing? There are more than five, but the most common causes are:
1. Allergies
Some dogs suffer from seasonal allergies that irritate their nose, lungs, and general airways. When pollen and other allergens goes inside of a dog’s nose and mouth, it irritates the lungs and airways, causing sneezing and coughing.
When your dog coughs because of their allergies, it is the bodies normal response and solution to getting rid of the allergen and irritants. It is not always possible to completely get rid of allergies, though, or avoid them.
To decrease your dog’s symptoms though, frequently bath your dog so that the allergens do not stick to their fur. It is also important to brush your dog’s coat before bringing them inside, especially if they have an environmental allergen.
2. Kennel Cough
Kennel cough, also known as tracheobronchitis and Bordetella, is a disease caused by different types of viruses. It is highly contagious and thankfully not usually fatal. It does spread fast though and causes a honking type of cough that causes discomfort and redness in your dog’s throat.
Since it is highly contagious, lots of shelter dogs and those in daycare develop the symptoms quickly after being exposed in a small area without air circulation. If it worsens though, it can cause pneumonia which makes it very hard for your dog to breathe!
Our Dallas, TX, animal hospital offers the Bordetella vaccination in order to help protect your dog from developing kennel cough. It is recommended for dogs who are often around groups of dogs – whether it be in daycare, boarding, grooming, or dog parks.
3. Sore Throat
Did you know that something as small and simple as a sore throat can cause coughing in dogs? When your dog has a sore throat, their throat is red, irritated, and scratchy. Anything that irritates it more or ‘tickles’ it can cause your dog to cough as a response.
Sadly, this hurts your dog more as the coughing irritates their already sore throat. Thankfully, there are many solutions and sore throats usually go away on their own without heavy medications and severe reactions. As long as your dog’s throat does not swell shut, a sore throat is not a sign of concern!
4. Tracheal Collapse
A tracheal collapse is an uncomfortable condition that can occur to smaller dog breeds that have flat faces, such as Pugs and Pekinese. Dogs with flat faces and a long skin flap inside their mouth can suffer from a tracheal collapse. It is rarely a serious problem but does cause a lot of discomfort and coughing.
This can also make it very hard for your dog to breathe properly as the flaps inhale and move to the back of your dog’s throat when they breathe, bark, or eat.
5.Lung Fluid Buildup
Lung fluid can build up for many reasons, but it is usually rare. This is unlikely, but is still a cause for concern for some dog owners that have breeds with a higher risk. Some bacterial infections can cause the lungs to build up with fluid once it worsens to a condition like pneumonia.
Surprisingly heart disease can also lead to a lung fluid buildup as the pressure also messes with the other organs in your dog’s body. Obese dogs run a higher risk for this uncomfortable condition.
Soothing a Dog’s Coughing
It is not easy to sooth a dog’s cough. It is best to try and give their throat relief and hydrate them with water and electrolytes. Leave a cool and soothing bowl of cold water. Mixing a small amount of honey with warm water can also contribute to soothing your dog’s coughing and throat. However, the only way to stop the cough, is to cure the cause!
Our Dallas, TX, Veterinarians are Here to Help with Your Dog’s Coughing
Overall, it is not always possible to understand the cause behind a dog coughing. However, it is usually not a big problem and can be solved at home. Before you assume though that your dog’s cough is nothing surround, feel free to reach out to our Dallas, TX, animal hospital at (214) 826-4166.