Causes and Treatments for Your Dog’s Coughing in Crown Point, IN

If your dog has been coughing a lot recently, you may find yourself wondering what’s wrong with him. Coughing is never a good thing, but it doesn’t necessarily mean something is severely wrong with your pet, either. Regardless, it’s a good idea to get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible, and our veterinarians in Crown Point, IN, can help!

In the article below, we’ll show you some of the most common causes of coughing in dogs and let you know the treatment options for each. Read through this list to help narrow down the potential causes of your dog’s cough.

Common Causes of Coughing in Dogs

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is the most common cause of coughing in dogs. Caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella, kennel cough is very contagious and is basically like a slight cold that dogs can spread to each other. Many dogs will have kennel cough at least once in their lives, and it is most frequently spread in close quarters.

Kennel cough is almost never fatal, although it can be dangerous to very young puppies or older senior pets. Otherwise, however, your dog will likely recover from his kennel cough in a couple of weeks with no trouble.

Allergies

If your dog has seasonal or contact allergies, he may cough when he is exposed to the contaminants or allergens that contribute to the issue. Usually this type of coughing will stop when your dog is no longer around the allergen in question. Food allergies may also sometimes cause coughing, but this is not a common symptom of food allergy in dogs.

If your dog is diagnosed with allergies, the vet may give you allergy medication for your pet. Your dog may also be given a steroid to help deal with allergy flare-ups in severe instances.

Acute Infection

Some dogs may develop acute bacterial, viral, or even fungal infections that can contribute to coughing symptoms. If your dog gets sick with this type of infection, he may have other symptoms along with his coughing spells, including a runny nose, watery eyes, or wheezing breath.

Your dog will need to be diagnosed by the vet if he has an acute infection. Our Crown Point, IN veterinarians may give your pet antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, or other types of medicine to help him heal and feel better soon.

Nasal or Airway Blockage

Sometimes, dogs may inhale pieces of food or parts of their toys while they are playing or eating. These items can get lodged in the nose or in the airways and may lead to wheezing, coughing, and other symptoms.

In situations where your dog’s airways are fully blocked, you should go to the emergency vet right away. If your dog’s airway is only partially blocked, however, you will need to go to the regular vet as soon as possible to figure out the right plan of action for treatment. Your pet may need surgery to remove the item from his airways.

Heartworms or Heart Disease

Heartworms cause a persistent cough in dogs that gets worse as the condition progresses. These worms are spread through mosquito bites to dogs who are not given a heartworm preventative medication. Heart disease is very similar in symptoms, and both issues may eventually cause dogs to have severe coughing fits when they perform even slight activities.

Collapsing Trachea

Some dogs may be diagnosed with a condition called collapsing trachea. Although this may sound like a very frightening condition, it is not as serious as the name might make you think. Dogs who have this condition can manage the symptoms by taking medication and following the guidelines provided by the vet.

Your veterinarian will need to diagnose your dog with this condition and help you choose the right management options moving forward. There is no cure for collapsing trachea, but dogs can live a full life with this issue in most instances.

Our Animal Hospital in Crown Point, IN, Can Help Your Dog’s Coughing

As you can see, there are a lot of different potential causes of coughing in dogs. Most of them are fairly benign, and only a few are extremely serious. With that said, however, it’s still important to determine the cause of your dog’s coughing as soon as possible so you can help him heal quickly. 

If your dog’s cough has an unidentifiable cause or if you think there may be something seriously wrong, be sure to take him to the vet or emergency vet right away. The vet will be able to diagnose the root of the cough and help your pet get back to his usual healthy self in no time.

Our Crown Point, IN, animal hospital is here to help! You can stop by for your dog’s exam so we can determine the cause of their coughing or give us a call for more information at (219) 267-1700.