A dog's cough can mean a little, or a lot.
Coughs in dogs, as in humans, exhibit many forms. They can be dry and hacking, moist and bubbly, gagging, wheezy, harsh or weak. They may occur intermittently, frequently, or they may be chronic. Sometimes serious in themselves, coughs may also be the sign of an underlying problem. Only a veterinarian can provide definitive diagnosis, but owners can help by closely observing their dogs and characterizing their dogs' coughs and coughing patterns.
Coughs and Serious Diseases
Dry, unproductive bouts of coughing may be a symptom of heart disease or lung tumors. In advanced stages, lung tumor coughs expel small amounts of phlegm or blood. Coughing may accompany canine pneumonia and coccidiosis, which is a parasitic disease common to dirty kennels. Coccidiosis coughs mimic the dry, hacking coughs of distemper. Moist and productive coughs may signify tuberculosis, which is rare. Hepatitis is equally uncommon and may be signified initially by a sore throat and cough.
Less Serious Causes of Coughs
Kennel cough, a bacterial respiratory infection, perpetuates a distinct dry, hacking cough very different from the moist cough associated with allergies. Internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms and heartworms are characterized by a gagging "verminous" (pertaining to vermin) cough. Old, overweight dogs, dogs with neck injuries and some toy breeds are prone to tracheal collapse, exemplified by a dry, hacking cough. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs typically cough because of breathing difficulties. Coughing and sneezing may signify canine influenza, while chronic coughing may be a sign of fungal disease.
Cough Characterization And Emergencies
Determining the patterns and circumstances of coughing bouts will aid the dog's veterinarian in making an accurate diagnosis. Are the coughing bouts triggered by certain conditions? Is there a particular time of day or night the bouts occur? Are other pets in the household affected? The dog should see a veterinarian immediately if his breathing is hindered, if he's weak and lethargic, if his gums aren't pink, if the coughing is severe, if he has a moist cough and is coughing up mucus, blood or pus or if each coughing spell lasts more than a few minutes.
Veterinary Diagnosis
The dog's physical examination is accompanied by an assessment of the history and character of the cough. Depending upon initial indications, veterinarians may take chest and throat X-rays (for signs of cardiac, lung or airway disease), do blood tests and fecal examinations (for bacteria and internal parasites), a thoracic ultrasound (to view the structure and functioning of the heart) and do tracheal or bronchial lavage (washing) procedures (to retrieve cell and fluid samples). Veterinarians often elect a therapeutic trial before invasive or expensive tests. This may not be appropriate, however, for all coughing dogs
Expert Advice
Washington State Univesity's College Of Veterinary Medicine cautions on its website, "Avoid self-medicating your pet as the treatment for one cause of cough may be very wrong for the treatment of another type of cough." Since similar coughs are connected to various diseases, and because many coughs indicate potentially life-threatening conditions, it's always best to seek the advice of a veterinarian's advice as soon as possible.
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