Sometimes dogs may inhale foreign objects or material that gets lodged in their airways. Coughs that become suddenly violent or sound like gagging, possibly including attempts to swallow and frequent lip licking could be a sign that something has become stuck in your dog's throat.
Kennel Cough is the most likely cause of your dog's cough. It's usually a dry, hacking cough that sounds almost like your dog has something stuck in their throat. Kennel Cough is highly contagious, dogs are most likely to get it when they're around other dogs.
Persistent coughing can irritate the throat. At home, you can help to soothe your pup's throat with honey. Add a spoonful of honey to a bowl of water, up to three times per day. A small humidifier placed near the dog's bed can keep your pet's throat from drying out.
Kennel cough is usually mild and self-limiting, but sometimes it can cause more severe illness. 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 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.
A healthy dog can get kennel cough by inhaling aerosolized bacteria or viruses from an infected dog. The bacteria and/or virus can be spread from an infected dog through coughing or sneezing, and dogs can also get it from infected objects (toys, food/water bowls).
While some people believe that kennel cough can only occur after a dog has spent time in a kennel or doggie daycare facility, it can be spread anywhere, including outdoor locations, like off-leash dog parks.
Add some water or broth to your dog's food, to increase their water intake. If you feed kibble, consider switching to a moist food. A well hydrated body can fight off infection better and your dog will feel brighter. Another way to moisten the airways and help to break up mucous, is steam baths.
Common clinical signs include a loud cough, often described 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.
Two very common things that can cause gagging in dogs are infectious problems and laryngeal paralysis. 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.
Swabs can be taken to determine the exact virus or bacteria causing kennel cough – although this isn't always useful for treatment. If there are suspected complications, radiographs can be used to assess a dog's condition. If your dog is bright, perky, eating well and playful, you may not need to visit the vet.
Adequate rest is one of the best remedies for kennel cough. If your dog gets plenty of sleep, it will give his body a chance to fight the virus and recover properly. Put your dog in a room by himself, away from kids and other pets. This way, he will not be disturbed while trying to rest.
Usually the coughing is worse at night and in the morning and better during the day when the dog is moving around. Dogs with kennel cough are usually eating, drinking and acting fairly normal other than the coughing.
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.
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.
“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.
Contact your vet right away if you spot any of the following: Coughing continues for more than seven days. Your dog loses their appetite. They develop a fever (this usually means they become lethargic)
As soon as you notice your dog coughing, you should start your isolation period, keeping them away from other dogs, and avoiding walks altogether to help curb the spread. Lots of rest will help with your dog get better quickly.
The first few days are the worst. The cough will often be triggered by things like barking, pulling on the lead, getting excited or going out in cold air. Symptoms generally resolve over about 7–10 days. To prevent spread, try to keep your dog isolated from other dogs while he has active symptoms.
Yes, Rescue™ Disinfectants are effective against Bordetella.
One of the pathogens that causes Kennel cough is the bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica. With Rescue™ Concentrate, we recommend using the 1:16 dilution (8 oz/gallon of water) with a 5-minute contact time.
The antibiotic of choice is doxycycline. In cases where the coughing prevents rest, anti-tussives — such as hydrocodone, butorphanol or codeine — may be prescribed.
How Is Kennel Cough Treated? Typically, mild cases of kennel cough are treated with a week or two of rest, but a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection and cough medication to ease the symptoms.
Very Common, Usually Not Serious. Canine infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in dogs. Fortunately, the majority of cases are not serious, resolving on their own in 1 to 2 weeks.