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Coughing
Dogs cough for a variety of reasons, some of which can be serious in themselves and others that are signs of an underlying problem. Internal parasites, heartworm disease, distemper, fungus diseases, allergies, heart disease, trachea problems and even reverse sneezing.Trachea Collaspe
Tracheal collapse is the name given to a syndrome in which the rigid structure of the trachea becomes weakened. This weakened area collapses due to external and/or internal pressure created during activity, interfering with normal respiration. A chronic honking cough is associated with this condition and requires immediate veterinarian help.
Reverse Sneezing
Not nearly as bad as a honk from aTracheal collapse. Uusally seen after being excited. Usually just picking them up and calming them down and gently rubbing their throat will stop this. It can be the result of irritation of the nasal passages, often with dust. It usually does not indicate any underlying disease.
Kennel cough
High, dry coughs are typical of kennel cough or acute tracheobronchitis. A dog with kennel cough seems to feel fine otherwise. Cases usually heal in about two weeks, but the frequent bouts of coughing can be annoying to the owner who lies awake listening to his pet hack away. Treatment includes isolation to avoid infection of other family or kennel dogs, monitoring of temperature, rest, and a vet visit if needed to obtain something for the cough
Kennel cough in puppies and toy breeds can be another story; the throat irritation can be accompanied by thick secretions that can cause pneumonia.
Distemper
Many dog owners think that distemper is not a problem because puppies are vaccinated against it. However, not all puppies and dogs are vaccinated, and the disease remains a serious threat to puppies.
When puppies are born, they get immunity to disease through their mother's antibodies. Distemper can be mild in dogs that are in good condition or severe in ill-nourished animals. It can be fatal, especially in young puppies or debilitated dogs. Secondary infections can also be a problem.
The dry cough associated with distemper appears in the first stage of the disease, when the dog is listless and has a fever 103-105 and a thick, yellow discharge from nose and eyes. Although these symptoms resemble those of a common head cold in humans, dogs do not catch colds; when they appear, the dog should be taken immediately to the vet.
Internal parasites
Infestation of internal parasites such as roundworms and heartworms can cause coughing.
Roundworms live in the canine intestine. The dog can become infected by licking or eating soil contaminated with eggs. The eggs are swallowed and hatch in the intestine; the larval worms travel to the lungs in the bloodstream, crawl up the windpipe, and are swallowed to return to the intestine and mature into adults. As they migrate up the windpipe, the larva can cause bouts of coughing.
Heartworms are transmitted to dogs by mosquitoes. The mosquito bites the infected dog, ingests the tiny heartworm microfilaria, provides a host for the next stage of development of the parasite, then transfers the juvenile larvae to the bloodstream of the next dog she feeds on. The microfilaria swim to the lungs, where they mature and reproduce, sending more microfilariae into the dog's bloodstream to be ingested by a mosquito. The process of infection takes at least six months. Treatment of heartworm is extensive but is successful if the disease is not too far advanced and if the dog is in otherwise good health.
Allergies
Allergies to pollen, house dust, molds, insect bites, and foods can cause coughing, sneezing, and continual scratching. If you find they are chewing the hair off their feet, this is generally an allergy problem.
Cortisone shots will make the dog feel better immediately, but it's best to find the problem and cure. Allergy shots are even available for your animal.
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