This article addresses when to take your pet to the veterinarian for coughing.
All dogs cough sporadically, and it’s typically not a cause for concern, especially if your pet has been coughing for several days. However, if your dog coughs for over a day, you may wonder why, which could be problematic. Therefore, it’s essential to identify why your canine coughs so you can receive veterinary treatment. This article addresses when to take your pet to the veterinarian for coughing.
Viral, Bacterial, or Fungal Respiratory Infections
These infections can infect your dog’s lungs, airways, upper respiratory tract, or a combination, triggering bronchitis and pneumonia. The canine influenza virus can lead to fever, coughing, bronchitis, and nasal discharge, sometimes causing a dry, hacking cough. Antibiotics are active against bacterial infections; however, the ideal thing you can do is to encourage your pet to rest, drink, and eat.
Allergies
Allergies to pollen, dust, smoke, food, insects, and human or other animal dander can trigger coughing in dogs. Along with coughing, allergies can cause sneezing, runny nose or eyes, wheezing, itching, vomiting, or diarrhea. The treatment varies depending on the allergies, but it might include eliminating allergens from the household or diet, or using humidifiers and air purifiers.
Heartworms
Heartworm disease can be deadly and is transmitted to dogs through mosquito bites. Fortunately, they can be avoided by using monthly preventive medicines.
Small Dogs are at Risk for Tracheal Collapse
When the cartilage rings surrounding the trachea are weak, the trachea collapses when the dog inhales, leading to a chronic, honking cough. Your veterinarian can treat this health condition with medicine that reduces inflammation, suppresses coughing, treats secondary infections, and widens airways. Additionally, environmental changes can help, like not using aerosol cleaners or sprays, limiting smoking, or not burning incense. Instead, use humidifiers or air purifiers to clear out the air in your home.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough often happens when dogs are put into areas with poor airflow and warm, moist air, such as animal shelters, grooming facilities, boarding kennels, and dog parks. It’s the most common cause of infectious coughing. Unfortunately, dogs can contract kennel cough when exposed to the respiratory secretions of an infected dog who coughs or sneezes, or from sharing infected bowls and toys.
Reverse Sneezing
These types of sneezes occur in clusters because of inflammation, parasites, postnasal drainage, or foreign material that aggravates the dog’s nasal passages. They are nothing to worry about unless they are common or severe, or you observe nasal discharge.
Any time your dog coughs, it doesn’t hurt to call your veterinarian for advice. You can trust Alexander Animal Hospital to treat your pets as your own. Call us today at 410-777-8678 for your pet’s veterinary needs.
Support Your Pet’s Wellness at Alexander Animal Hospital
Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.
We understand you have a choice when deciding on the care for your pets, and we strive to provide you with unparalleled services including wellness exams, vaccines, lost pet microchip ID, dental care, surgical services, digital radiography, and in-hospital laboratory services and diagnostics. Other highlights of Alexander Animal Hospital are the separate cat and dog waiting and exam rooms, as well as after-hours on-call emergency services.
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