A coughing dog

Coughing is not a disease in itself but rather it is symptom of a disease of the respiratory system. Coughing can be caused by irritation of the airways or by accumulation of fluid in the lungs and its purpose is to remove foreign material from the airways.

What causes coughing?

The cause for a sudden, acute cough is typically kennel cough. Kennel cough is a highly contagious inflammation of the trachea and bronchi which is caused by different viruses and bacteria. Typically kennel cough is a dry, hacking cough that usually resolves by itself with 1-2 weeks. In a young dog kennel cough can develop into pneumonia which can be life-threatening. A vaccine against kennel cough exists.

A pneumonia can be caused by a virus, a bacteria or both, and is accompanied by other, generalized symptoms: fever, lethargy, nasal discharge, inappetence etc. A pneumonia always requires rapid medical attention.

Collapse of the trachea is a common ailment especially in aged, small-sized dogs. The condition occurs when the ring-like cartilages that give shape to the trachea get flaccid and the structure of the trachea collapses during breathing. The collapse causes a dry cough and occasionally even breathing difficulties. Typically in this condition the cough worsens when the dog is exited can exhibit as cough attacks. Medicaments can ease the symptoms but not cure the condition, and there also exists a surgical treatment for tracheal collapse.

Heart-based coughing occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood effectively enough and fluid accumulates in the lungs. A dilated heart can also press the bronchi and cause mechanical irritation. In small-breed dogs the heart failure is usually due to a valvular disease and begins at an elderly age. In large-breed dogs cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle) is the most common cause of heart failure and can while the dog is still quite young. Other signs of heart failure include intolerance to exercise, easy fatigue, panting and swelling of the abdomen. A cough that is due to heart failure is usually a soft, moist cough that worsens during the night and when exercising.

A long-term, gradually worsening cough can be caused by chronic inflammation of the bronchi that is quite common in middle-aged and older dogs. This type of cough is usually dry and it is caused by a thickening of the walls of the bronchi. The exact cause of this disease is unknown and treatment is based on relieving the symptoms.

A chronic cough can also be caused by lung tumors. Many malignant tumours (including mammary tumours) send metastases to the lungs.

Other possible causes for coughing include parasites, heartworms and fungal infections of the lungs. These are however quite rare in Finland even though they are relatively common in the southern countries.

When should you see a veterinarian?

If the dog is an adult and is otherwise healthy and alert, has no fever or discharge from the nose and eats well, you can monitor the dog at least overnight.

If the dog has a fever or mucous or bloody discharge from the nose or it is  learly depressed, you chould contact a veterinarian on the same day.

In case the dog has a high fever (over 41 degrees), clear breathing difficulties or a bluish colour in its tongue or mucous membranes, this is an emergency and you should seek veterinary assistance immediately.

It is generally recommended that all coughing dogs should be checked by a veterinarian.

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