If your dog coughs, should you be worried?
Does your dog have a cough??
Coughing in dogs is not always common and probably the cause that most people associate with dog coughs, is what is known as kennel cough. This is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria or a virus. Many animal boarding facilities and kennels will require dogs to be vaccinated before they are allowed in their facilities, but vaccinations are not always a 100% guarantee against your dog getting the disease. Because kennel cough is a complex of diseases, it is not always easy to treat. While kennel cough is not deadly, it is bothersome to the dog and causes concern in owners. Any one who suspects their dog has this ailment should take the pooch to the vet.
There are other causes of coughs in dogs that may be more of a concern and would require intense medical attention. Heart disease can cause a “soft” cough initially. That is one that does not produce a lot of mucus. However the heart is not pushing blood around as it should, so the lungs become congested. As the heart disease progresses, the coughing becomes worse and contains more mucus. Obviously, this condition requires a medical diagnosis and specialized treatment.
Dogs have allergies and while most allergies manifest themselves through skin irritations, some allergic reactions in dogs is demonstrated through coughing as their lungs and nasal passages can become irritated.
Heartworms and ringworms also cause coughing in dogs. Adult heartworms usually live in the pulmonary arteries and the heart, which can cause coughing. Roundworms can cause coughing in the dog as they migrate up the windpipe from the lungs and cause the dog to be very uncomfortable.
There are several other causes of coughs in dogs, but the best advice to be given is that if your dog has a frequent or persistent cough that goes on for more than a couple of days, it is important to get the dog to a vet to determine the cause and begin appropriate treatment.
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