Like people, dogs are prone to a variety of respiratory disorders. Because coughing in dogs may range in cause from minor issues such as drinking water too fast to health conditions that can be potentially fatal, it is recommended for dog owners to have their dog carefully examined by a veterinarian. A good description of the coughing episode, better if accompanied by video footage depicting the coughing spell, will help the vet reach the right diagnosis.
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Considerations
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The action of coughing has a primary function in both humans and dogs: Coughing helps clear the airway of food particles, debris, fluids and mucous. Coughing can be simply a sign of an irritated airway. There are two main types of cough in dogs: dry coughs and productive coughs.
Bordetella
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Bordetella, also known as kennel cough, is a common respiratory infection in dogs. It is often seen in dogs that are gathered together in kennels (hence the name), dog shows, dog parks or anywhere the virus may be transmitted from one dog to another. Typically, dogs that develop kennel cough, will cough as if something is stuck in their throat, gag, develop nasal discharge and in more severe cases exhibit fever, loss of appetite, lethargy and pneumonia.
Tracheal Collapse
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In this condition, the cartilage rings that compose the trachea start to weaken and eventually collapse, causing an irritating sensation in the dog's throat. Affected dogs develop a typical cough that has often been compared to a goose's honking. In some cases, the dog may even have trouble breathing, making him breathe faster and further aggravating the coughing episode. This condition affects mostly toy-breed dogs.
Allergies
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Just like humans, dogs may be prone to a variety of allergies. When the dog is reactive to allergens found in her environment, she may develop a cough. The cough is the result of the allergens' irritating the airway and the body's attempt to remove them from the respiratory tract. The most common allergens to cause reactions in dogs are: pollen, mold, house dust, deodorants, household chemicals, cigarette smoke, weeds and perfume.
Parasites
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One of the most common parasites causing cough are heartworms, which are introduced into the dog's body through the bite of a mosquito. Once in the dog's bloodstream, these parasites will eventually settle within the right ventricle of the heart, creating serious problems. Affected dogs will exhibit coughing, wheezing, intolerance to exercise, weight loss and collapse. Left untreated, the parasites can even cause death. Other parasites capable of causing coughing spells are migrating roundworms and hookworms.
Heart Disease
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Some dogs may develop a cough due to an underlying heart disorder. One particular heart disorder capable of causing cough is congestive heart disease. The cough is basically triggered by the enlarged heart's putting pressure on the airways. Another heart condition that may trigger coughing is dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart is enlarged causing weakness, exercise intolerance and irregular heartbeats.
Conclusion
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There are several other causes of coughing in dogs, some minor and some more serious, such as drinking water too fast, lung tumors, canine distemper, lungworms and laryngeal paralysis. Because of the many potential causes, a dog exhibiting coughing episodes should not be ignored; the best line of defense is to adhere to the ''better safe than sorry" protocol and have the dog properly assessed and diagnosed by a veterinarian.
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