Why Does My Dog Keep Coughing in Raleigh, NC?

If your dog is coughing in Raleigh, the best thing to do is take them to the vet. Your vet will be able to treat the cough once they can properly diagnose the cause. There are many different reasons and factors that may be contributing to your dog’s cough. Fortunately, most conditions that cause dogs to develop a cough are easily treated.

Just like in humans, a persistent cough in dogs can lead to further issues and complications. That is why it is always best to have them seen by a vet for further evaluation. If your dog has developed a mild cough, it makes sense to take a few days to observe and see if the cough will clear on its own. However, when a dog’s cough is severe or gets worse, make an appointment with your vet immediately.

Common Reasons for Coughing in Dogs

Dog Heart Disease

One of the most common reasons for a dog to develop a cough is when something is not functioning properly with their heart. Disease in the heart valves or muscles can prevent a dog’s heart from efficiently pumping blood throughout their body. Coughing results when parts of their heart enlarge and compress major airways in their lungs. When a dog’s heart isn’t pumping efficiently, it can even cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs. This can be another cause for coughing.

If your dog’s cough is related to heart disease, it is probably a soft and continuous cough that worsens at night. Most of the time when heart disease is caught early, it is treatable by your veterinarian. If your dog develops a continuous cough, it is recommended to have them checked out by their vet. In most cases, medications are the main way to treat heart disease in dogs. Other treatments may include diet changes, weight loss, and occasionally surgery.

Dog Pneumonia

In dogs, a soft and moist sounding cough can be due to pneumonia. Dog pneumonia occurs when there is inflammation in the lungs. Bacterial and viral infections can both lead to pneumonia in dogs. Since pneumonia affects the respiratory system, it interferes with a dog’s ability to breathe normally. This is why they may develop a cough.

If you suspect your dog has pneumonia, prompt veterinary care is essential. Your vet can recommend targeted treatments to speed up recovery. Alongside medical treatment, restrict your dog’s activity, ensure they stay well hydrated, and keep them away from smoke, air pollutants, and aerosol sprays to ease their breathing.

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is typically more common in younger dogs; however, it can affect dogs of all ages. Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs that causes inflammation in the throat and lungs. If your dog has kennel cough, you will probably notice a hacking, dry, and raspy cough.

Because kennel cough spreads as easily as a cold in a classroom, keep your dog isolated from other pets while sick. Ensuring your dog receives the Bordetella vaccine helps prevent infection, so avoid high-density dog areas if they aren’t vaccinated. Although mild cases may clear up naturally, a veterinarian can recommend targeted antibiotics and cough suppressants to reduce symptoms and head off secondary issues such as pneumonia.

Tracheal Collapse

Tracheal collapse is a condition in smaller dogs that causes the trachea (or windpipe) to become soft and floppy. If your dog is experiencing tracheal collapse, you may notice a dry, hacking cough. They will cough repeatedly and have a difficult time calming down. Dogs with tracheal collapse will often have bronchitis and/or heart disease as well, so you may notice several different types of coughs coming from your dog.

The cause for tracheal collapse is unknown, but it is considered to be a congenital disorder that some dogs are born with. A dog’s trachea can collapse due to them not having enough cellular rings of cartilage. This condition often develops in smaller dog breeds as well as middle-aged dogs.

Your veterinarian can diagnose tracheal collapse and outline a treatment plan to soothe coughing and reduce airway inflammation. Minimizing your dog’s exposure to smoke and air pollutants will further help control their symptoms.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworms are more common in warmer climates, but the risk of heartworm disease exists anywhere there are mosquitoes to transmit the disease. Heartworms are transmitted when a dog is bitten by an infected mosquito. When a dog has heartworms, it is common for the dog to develop a persistent, dry cough.

Dogs with heartworms may or may not develop a cough. It depends on the size of the dog, the dog’s overall health, and how many worms the dog is harboring. Dogs with heartworms that do show symptoms may have a mild cough, low energy, weight loss, and a loss of appetite. Severe cases of heartworm disease can result in heart failure in dogs. Your veterinarian can administer an injectable drug to your dog to help kill adult heartworms.

Canine Influenza

Just like humans, dogs can get the flu, known as canine influenza. This respiratory infection can cause a cough that lasts anywhere from 10 to 30 days. Because it is a viral infection, canine influenza typically isn’t treated with medication. However, your veterinarian may recommend antibiotics if your dog develops a secondary bacterial infection. The best way to care for a dog with influenza is to keep them hydrated, ensure they eat properly, keep them warm, and isolate them from other pets. Canine influenza is contagious among animals, but it cannot be transmitted to humans.

If your dog has a cough in Raleigh please give our vet a call at (919) 488-5300 today.