Kennel Cough Kennel cough — another one of the most common causes of coughing in dogs — is a catchall term for tracheobronchitis, inflammation and infection of the windpipe and the main lower airways. While kennel cough is more common among younger dogs, dogs of any age can be affected.
It's normal for them, especially considering they live so much of their lives through their noses. It's thankfully not a cause for alarm and about on par with a human sneezing or clearing their throat. Coughing is a means of removing dust, germs, pollen, or other debris that your dog might have breathed in.
It's normal for your dog to cough every now and then. It's part of everyday life for an animal that can sniff 4 to 6 times per second. But if your dog does it a lot or can't seem to stop, you may have a sick pup, and they may need treatment.
Kennel cough, which is a type of respiratory infection, is a common cause of dog gagging, which results in a harsh, goose-like cough, sometimes followed by a gag. There are other infectious diseases that can also cause gagging, and a more severe disease—pneumonia—can sometimes cause gagging in dogs, as well.
Is it a cough or a gag? Coughing and gagging may sound similar when they happen, but they are not quite the same. A cough is caused when your dog forces air out of the mouth and throat. Gagging is more akin to vomiting, but nothing comes out except some phlegm or mucus.
Your pup could have a virus, bacterial infection, or another underlying health condition. While most health issues can be treated or managed, a recurring cough should not be ignored. Set up an appointment so your veterinarian can examine and diagnose your dog.
Some of the most common reasons why your dog is coughing are heart disease, pneumonia, kennel cough, tracheal collapse, heartworm disease and canine influenza. Keep track of any other symptoms, such as coughing blood, mucus, foam, etc.
Coughing is a common problem in dogs, and it is even more common in puppies. Most of the time abnormal coughing in puppies is caused by “kennel cough.” What is kennel cough, you ask? Kennel cough is a rather vague description for a cough due to an infection. The infectious agent can be a bacterium or a virus.
“The canine distemper virus and canine influenza virus both start off with symptoms nearly identical to kennel cough,” he said. Other conditions that can cause coughing include a collapsing trachea, bronchitis, asthma, and even heart disease.
“Goose Honk” Cough
The first and most obvious symptom of heartworm in dogs is the persistent cough, which is often likened to the sound of a goose hoking. This goose honk cough occurs whether the dog has been active or not, but it is more common after a dog has just exerted himself in some way.
Common clinical signs include a loud cough often describe as a 'goose honk', runny eyes and nose, swollen tonsils, wheezing, lack of appetite, and depressed behavior. Most dogs with infectious tracheobronchitis will cough when the throat is rubbed or palpated, or during and after exercise.
Though a dog's cough is often harmless, it can sometimes signify something more serious. Read on to learn about the causes and treatment options for dog coughing.
Unlike a regular cough or a kennel cough, which is strong and sporadic, a heartworm- related cough is dry and persistent. In the early stages, the cough may be induced by even small amounts of exercise, as the heartworm parasites make their way into the lungs, creating blockage and discomfort.
If your dog is coughing in her sleep or coughing up mucus and/or blood, those are important details to note as well, and could mean something serious—especially if there's blood.
Some animals may also experience fever, nasal discharge, lack of appetite and lethargy. Although there is the chance that a mild respiratory infection may become more serious, the majority of infections are typically self limiting and characterized by a mild cough that lasts 1-2 weeks.
Kennel cough can usually go away on its own. For many dogs, kennel coughs will clear up within three weeks and shouldn't need any treatment at all. For mild cases, treatment that includes a couple of weeks of rest can help your dog make a full recovery quickly.
Kennel cough can cause mild symptoms in some dogs but can progress to a life-threatening pneumonia in other dogs. This is why it's important to recognize the symptoms of kennel cough and seek treatment immediately. There is also a kennel cough vaccination that can prevent your dog from getting kennel cough.
It's caused by being exposed to a very common bacteria, Bordetella bronchispetica, or an equally common parainfluenza virus. It can occur in both adult dogs and puppies. Unfortunately, many people think only dogs that spend time in a kennel can catch it.
Vaccinations protect your pup from the following nasty diseases: Canine distemper. Canine parvovirus. Kennel cough.
Sometimes when dogs become excited or anxious they can cough. This is usually seen in dogs with tracheal collapse (where part of their windpipe has begun to collapse) because their heightened state of excitement or anxiety means that they are breathing harder.
There might be other clinical signs, i.e. loss of appetite and fever. Cough suddenly develops 5-10 days after exposure to other affected dogs. Treatment Affected dogs should not be kept hospitalized because the disease is highly contagious.
If you've had a dog with kennel cough, you've heard the sound: a dry hack often followed by retching or gagging. Some people describe it as sounding like a cat hacking up a hairball. Kennel cough is usually mild and self-limiting, but sometimes it causes more severe illness.
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen.
Kennel cough is rarely severe, and uncomplicated kennel cough will usually go away on its own. However, medications are commonly given to help your dog recover quicker and prevent the condition from worsening. If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, take them to the vet for an examination.
How is a Dog Tested for Heartworms? A veterinarian uses blood tests to check a dog for heartworms. An antigen test detects specific heartworm proteins, called antigens, which are released by adult female heartworms into the dog's bloodstream.