Infectious diseases (such as kennel cough, sinusitis, rhinitis, or other respiratory tract infections), gastrointestinal infections, heartworm disease, and cardiovascular disease can also cause coughing or wheezing in dogs. sinusitis, rhinitis or other respiratory tract infections), gastrointestinal infections, heartworm disease, cardiovascular disease or tracheal collapse.
If your pet is choking, contact your vet immediately.
Why does a dog bark?
A dog coughs or wheezes when receptors in his throat, trachea, or bronchi are stimulated or irritated. These receptors are often irritated by a foreign object stuck in the airway.
Foreign bodies in the airway can range from toys and bones to branches that get stuck in the throat or esophagus.
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Owners often confuse coughing with barking or wheezing, so when looking for the answer to the question «why is my dog coughing?», it is very important to seek help from a veterinarian who will examine your pet, carry out the necessary tests and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Why is my dog coughing?
Most often, dogs cough due to increased sensitivity of the upper respiratory tract caused by kennel cough or other infectious respiratory diseases.
Less commonly, dogs cough due to heart disease and increased stomach acid.
Kennel cough. What is it?
Kennel cough is a term used to describe a complex of viral and bacterial infections. Kennel cough causes inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. It is a contagious, rapidly spreading disease that animals contract through direct contact with each other.
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Don’t be fooled by the name of this virus; it is not a disease that only affects animals living in shelters. Any animal that comes into contact with other dogs (during training, long walks, shows, in kennels, in hotels and dog parks, during visits, etc.) can contract this disease.
What causes kennel cough?
The main or sole pathogen causing this disease can be:
- Canine parainfluenza virus
- Canine adenovirus 2 (CAV-2)
Gram-negative bacteria (e.g Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coliAND Klebsiella pneumonia) can be the primary pathogen, especially in younger puppies, but can also cause secondary infections such as tracheitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
An interesting fact is that cats can be carriers of the causative agent of “kennel cough” and help the causative agents of the infection to survive in the environment without any changes in health.
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Symptoms of kennel cough
All clinical symptoms are related to damage to the respiratory tract and depend on the course of the disease and the age of the affected dog. Dry coughing attacks and the feeling that something is stuck in your dog’s throat are the main symptoms that can indicate kennel cough. In most cases, the dog will appear healthy, except for constant coughing even at rest.
If the disease is not advanced, appetite and activity levels are usually not reduced.
As the condition or disease progresses, dogs often develop a cough with white, frothy mucus. Coughing can cause vomiting. In advanced cases of kennel cough, diarrhea, fever, apathy, and visible whitish, yellowish, or greenish discharge from the eyes and nasal cavity may occur.
It should be noted that coughing in dogs can intensify due to an inadequate collar, changes in temperature and humidity, excitement or constant activity.
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If you notice your dog coughing or having coughing fits even when lying down calmly, contact your vet immediately, as your dog’s cough can develop into severe pneumonia within a few days.
Which dogs are prone to kennel cough?
Young, older, chronically ill and unvaccinated dogs are more likely to contract distemper. The most severe cases of the disease occur in puppies between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months.
How to protect your dog from kennel cough?
The most effective prevention method is dog vaccination. If you and your pet love to participate in various competitions, parades, training courses, rallies, playgrounds and spend time with other animals, we recommend that you vaccinate your dogs against kennel cough. It is important to remember that dogs that are already sick cannot be vaccinated and will not develop lifelong immunity.
Begemotas Veterinary Clinic in Vilnius is always ready to help your sick four-legged friends. The experience of our veterinarians and modern equipment help us quickly and effectively diagnose diseases and their causes and prescribe the most appropriate treatment. If you have questions or concerns about your dog’s health, the Begemotas Veterinary Clinic is open every day from early morning until late at night. Contact us if your pet needs help.
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