It can be scary to awake in the middle of the night and hear your beloved pup coughing in his sleep. This is a fairly common occurrence in many households. To provide your dog the care he needs, learn more about why your dog coughs during sleep and seek care accordingly.
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Significance
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A dog's lungs are made up of several different parts. The main airway, or windpipe, connects to smaller passages called bronchi. These passages branch off further into the lungs. When any one of these systems becomes irritated, coughing occurs to soothe the itching sensation.
Types
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There are two basic types of coughs, according to Dr. Etienne Cote, author of "Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats." A wet cough is a cough that produces fluids. The sound of a wet cough indicates that the lungs are filled with fluids, either blood, mucus, water or pus. A dry cough sounds sharp and hacking with no hint of fluid present.
Identification
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Wet coughing may indicate seasonal allergies or an upper respiratory infection. Dry coughs usually signify a squeezing of the airways or the infiltration of foreign particles, like dust, in your dog's airways.
Considerations
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The cause of sleep coughing is not always benign. Infectious tracheobronchitis, commonly known as kennel cough, produces a wet, painful cough. Other infections caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi have coughing as a symptom.
Prevention/Solution
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Make sure your dog is in good health and up to date on his vaccinations. Feed a healthy diet to maintain a good weight and allow your dog to get plenty of exercise to stimulate the respiratory system. Speak to a licensed veterinary professional if your dog's sleep coughing persists, interferes with your dog's ability to sleep or is accompanied by other symptoms.
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