Each year, families all across America adopt their own new puppies, but sometimes puppies, like children, can get sick. If your puppy displays any signs or symptoms of an illness, such as coughing, be sure to take him to a veterinarian immediately.
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Common Irritants
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Puppies can develop a cough due to various common irritants such as allergens (dust, mold), perfumes, cigarette smoke or even a single strand of stray floating hair that gets inhaled.
Breed
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Some breeds, such as the bulldog or pug, can be prone to coughing due to the shape of their face and nasal passageways. Coughing can be aggravated by exercise, allergens or infections.
Kennel Cough
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Recognized as a dry cough, kennel cough is a highly contagious illness. Fortunately, kennel cough is easily treated with antibiotics, and most dogs recover in approximately two weeks.
Heartworm
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Heartworms are spread by infected mosquito bites, and in a severe infestation, will cause a symptom known as heartworm cough. Unfortunately, by the time coughing is present, damage to the heart and lungs is irreversible.
Congestive Heart Disease
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Congestive heart disease is most often seen in older dogs, but can also be congenital, meaning it is present at birth. When congestive heart disease occurs, the most common symptom is coughing, due to fluid in the lungs.
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