Occasionally, dogs can show mild symptoms of upper respiratory infections. Just like us humans – symptoms such as a slight cough or runny nose and sneezing are often accompanied. But what could be the real reason if your dog starts coughing? We answer what you need to know about dog cough!
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What can a dog's cough be caused by?
In young fur babies, coughing can be caused by infections or by inhaling small foreign objects such as grass seeds. Their respiratory tracts are not always as resistant – and it is therefore not uncommon for viruses or bacteria to cause a respiratory infection. We often refer to this as kennel cough – a broad diagnosis that many dogs are vaccinated against. Certain parasites can also cause coughing in dogs.
Some dogs may cough due to tracheal collapse – which means that the windpipe collapses easily. Dogs with shorter muzzles may also experience coughing due to narrowed airways. As an owner, it may be easy to think that your dog has “always” coughed – but gradually it can actually get worse (which may not be easy to detect for owners who experience this daily).
Among older dogs, there are often other and more serious causes of coughing – such as heart failure or unwanted tumors. Old age brings with it certain challenges. Do you have an older dog that coughs and snorts? Then it could be a chronic condition such as chronic bronchitis.
Common causes of coughing in dogs can be:
- Virus Infections
- Pneumonia
- parasites
- Foreign
- Anatomical abnormalities
- Heart failure
Is coughing in dogs dangerous?
Coughing itself is usually not dangerous as long as the dog is an adult and in good health – has normal appetite and desire to drink as well as normal bowel movements. Often it may be sufficient to let the dog rest and regularly check its body temperature. However, if the dog's condition worsens or does not improve within a few days - it is advisable to contact a veterinarian.
Puppies are somewhat more vulnerable than adult dogs and are at increased risk of decreased general condition or development of secondary infections. Therefore, a veterinarian should be contacted as soon as symptoms of a cold or other illness are detected in puppies. The same applies to older dogs or those with chronic diseases such as heart problems.
What should I do if my dog coughs?
If your dog starts coughing more than usual – it is generally a good idea to visit the vet.
Also pay attention to any other symptoms that accompany the coughing. Is your dog acting normally or is their energy level lower? Are their eating and drinking habits normal? You may also want to take their temperature rectally to check if they have a fever.
If your dog is as active as usual, eating and drinking as normal and does not have a fever – you may want to wait a few days before contacting your vet. Especially in young dogs, the coughing may be caused by a viral infection that usually goes away on its own. In the meantime, it is smart to limit physical exertion while your dog is coughing. For infection control reasons, it is also a good idea to limit your dog's interactions with other dogs during this period.
If the cough persists or worsens, the dog shows signs of general illness, or it has not improved after a couple of weeks - you should make an appointment with the vet. You can easily book an appointment at our veterinary clinic online.
When should I take my coughing dog to the vet?
- The dog seems sick beyond the cough itself.
- The cough lasts more than 2 weeks.
- The cough becomes more severe over time.
For diagnosis and treatment, a clinical examination is necessary along with any blood tests, ultrasound, X-ray or other relevant investigation based on the symptom picture. The choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause of the symptoms.
