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Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. I would not recommend use of any cough suppressant until you have an accurate diagnosis as to why your dog is coughing as it could make the condition worse. Coughing is a natural protection to keep the airways clear and healthy. A common reason for persistent coughing are heart disease and this should be investigated as a priority. Honey can be used as a natural antiseptic and soothing barrier for the back of the throat but after more than one month your dog really does need a full health check

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

Some of the most common reasons why your dog is coughing are heart disease, pneumonia, kennel cough, tracheal collapse, heartworm disease and canine influenza. Keep track of any other symptoms, such as coughing blood, mucus, foam, etc.
A medication called theophylline can be helpful for some dogs. As well as dilating (relaxing/opening up) airways, bronchodilators might have anti-inflammatory effects. Other bronchodilators, such as terbutaline or inhaled asthma treatments may also be used.
Your pup could have a virus, bacterial infection, or another underlying health condition. While most health issues can be treated or managed, a recurring cough should not be ignored. Set up an appointment so your veterinarian can examine and diagnose your dog.
In most cases, dogs will recover from kennel cough without treatment within three weeks, but it can sometimes linger for anything up to six weeks.
A cough or other symptoms, like fever or runny nose, that last longer than this could be a sign that your dog has developed a more severe infection. Prolonged persistent coughing can also be a sign of a more serious or chronic condition, such as distemper, heart disease, or asthma.
Specific medications that may be prescribed to treat chronic bronchitis include bronchodilators to dilate the airways and help clear secretions, cough suppressants, antibiotics if there is evidence of a secondary bacterial infection, and/or corticosteroids to decrease the inflammation and ease the coughing.
In general, chronic cough in dogs can occur secondary to cardiac disease, respiratory disease, or both. Cardiac causes include left-sided congestive heart failure and advanced heartworm disease.
Although there is the chance that a mild respiratory infection may become more serious, the majority of infections are typically self limiting and characterized by a mild cough that lasts 1-2 weeks.
Some cases require prolonged treatment, but most infections resolve within one to three weeks. Mild clinical signs may linger for several weeks, even when the bacteria have been eliminated. Cough suppressants and anti-inflammatory medications may sometimes provide relief, though they are not often necessary.
Most dogs with kennel cough recover completely within 1 to 3 weeks, though it can take up to 6 weeks in older dogs or those with other medical conditions.
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss.
Many dogs with CHF will tire out more easily, have reduced stamina, and do not engage in playing or walking as they once did. Coughing when at rest or sleeping, excessive panting, persistent loss of appetite, a swollen belly, and pale or bluish gums are also signs associated with heart failure.
Canine chronic bronchitis (CCB) is defined as cough that is present most days for a minimum duration of 2 months, without evidence of other underlying diseases that may cause cough. CCB results in chronic inflammatory changes in the lower airways, including neutrophilic inflammation and increased mucus production.
If your pet has a good appetite and is alert, but only suffers from a recurrent cough, your veterinarian will probably let the infection run its course, just as doctors do with common colds in people. Mild over-the-counter cough suppressants such as Mucinex cough medicine for children may help keep pets comfortable.
The treatment for kennel cough is individualized to the particular dog. In most cases, the dog takes about one to three weeks to fully recover. You can hasten the recovery by making sure your dog gets plenty of rest, takes enough fluids, and has a nutritious diet.
With treatment, most dogs with COPD enjoy a normal life expectancy and an excellent quality of life. However, disease progression varies case by case; severe lung tissue damage can lead to bronchiectasis – a condition that makes dogs highly receptive to recurrent pneumonia; a potentially life-threatening condition.
However, if your dog`s cough isn`t going away, you should take him to an animal hospital. A veterinarian will examine your dog`s condition and may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the cough.
If your older or overweight dog develops a cough that sounds more like a honking sound, it is possible your dog is experiencing a collapsed trachea. Other signs you may notice are gagging while eating or drinking, low tolerance for activity, and episodes of respiratory distress.
Laryngeal paralysis is a disease that causes difficulty breathing, which may be initially mild and then progressively worsen over time. Most common in older, large-breed dogs, this condition can become a medical emergency.
A prolonged case of kennel cough can lead to pneumonia or other serious health problems, so let your vet know if your dog doesn`t improve within the typical window of time. Remember that the most high-risk dogs are young puppies, geriatric dogs, and those with compromised immune or respiratory systems.
As dogs age, the cartilage rings that make up the trachea become flattened. This narrows the space inside of the trachea and makes it more difficult for air to pass through. As a result, collapsed trachea in dogs may cause a goose honking cough, gagging, and sometimes even respiratory distress.
Infectious Tracheobronchitis of Dogs (Kennel Cough)

Infectious tracheobronchitis results from inflammation of the upper airways. It is a mild disease that normally improves on its own. However, it can progress to fatal bronchopneumonia in puppies or to chronic bronchitis in weakened, ill, or aged dogs.

Kennel cough usually results in mild symptoms, mild or no pneumonia, and it resolves within 5 to 7 days. Severe symptoms in combination with poor appetite could indicate pneumonia, or inflammation and consolidation of the lung tissue, a complication of kennel cough.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. Dog-persistent loud frequent cough 30+days; still has good appetite,doesn’t act sick. Need names of effective cough suppressant & anti-inflammatory
ANSWER : A. I would not recommend use of any cough suppressant until you have an accurate diagnosis as to why your dog is coughing as it could make the condition worse. Coughing is a natural protection to keep the airways clear and healthy. A common reason for persistent coughing are heart disease and this should be investigated as a priority. Honey can be used as a natural antiseptic and soothing barrier for the back of the throat but after more than one month your dog really does need a full health check

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Q. My new puppy is coughing a lot and I think it is Kennel Cough. Could it be?
ANSWER : A. Kennel Cough is similar to the human cold, and it can be caused by three categories of microorganisms.

1. Bordetella Bronchiseptica: A small bacteria which can result in bronchitis and severe cough in dogs.
2. Canine Adenovirus: A serious and contagious virus.
3. Canine Influenza Virus: An extremely contagious virus causing mild to severe respiratory symptoms in dogs.
Kennel Cough has its own course of 1 to 3 weeks and can be managed medically.

Close environments with several dogs can increase the chance of dogs catching the cough. Kennel Cough vaccination is aimed mostly at preventing the Bordetella infection through an inhalant or injection vaccination. Although not 100% effective, it should be recommended in all dogs that spend time around other dogs, even the park is considered one of these social occasions.

Kennels have their own policy with regards to Kennel Cough vaccinations and should always be contacted well ahead to understand and comply with their requirements before the stay of your dog.
If you suspect that your dog has caught Kennel Cough, you should see your veterinarian. Your dog might benefit from certain medications to speed up his recovery. These might include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and cough suppressants at your vet’s discretion.

Read Full Q/A … : Dog Kennel Cough In Puppies – The Spruce

Q. My C. K. Charles has an asmathic cough. Ok most of the day, but worse in hotter rooms in the evening. What’s wrong?
ANSWER : A. Coughing in dogs can be caused by a number of things including allergies, asthma, illness such as Bordetella (kennel cough) or even lung and heart problems.

Allergies and asthma can cause a dog to have a raspy cough, and they may wheeze, sneeze or have running noses or trouble breathing when active or in an area where the allergen is present. Your vet can determine if an allergy or asthma is present and provide medication as needed to help with symptoms.

Bordetella can also cause a deep hacking cough, and is common in dogs that frequent doggy day cares, kennels or dog parks. The causes can be bacterial or viral, and treatment depends on if any secondary symptoms such as fever or dehydration is present. Treatment involves cough suppressants from your vet, or even antibiotics and fluids to treat secondary illnesses. Other illnesses such as heartworm may cause a chronic cough and exercise intolerance and should be looked for if your dog is not already on a heartworm preventive.

Small dogs are also prone to a condition called collapsing tracheas, and Cavaliers are very prone as a breed to heart and lung issues. Collapsing tracheae often cause a gasping or hacking cough when excited or active, and may require treatment if they become problematic. Heart and lung problems such as heart failure or genetic abnormalities can also cause coughing as a sign of the illness. Your vet can perform a complete exam to check the health of the lungs and heart.

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Q. My dog keep hacking like a cough or something in her throat, what can I do?
ANSWER : A. Hacking and coughing can be caused by a number of things ranging from foreign bodies such as twigs stuck in the mouth or throat, to infections or illnesses such as Bordetella or Kennel cough, common in dogs that frequent kennels, dog daycare or dog parks. In older dogs, heart and lung issues can also be indicated by a cough that does not go away.

If you think there may be a foreign object stuck in your dog’s throat, you can sweep a finger gently through the back of the mouth or throat if your dog will let you. If something feels stuck and is not easily moved by the finger, it is best to contact your vet to have the object safely removed. This usually requires sedation so that your dog does not become panicked or move, causing the object to become further stuck or cut the throat.

If your dog is showing other symptoms of illness in addition to the cough such as runny nose or eyes, fever, lethargy or changes in appetite, it may indicate a viral or bacterial illness such as kennel cough. These are usually treated with a cough medication in severe cases, plus rest and treatment of any additional symptoms until the condition improves. In bacterial causes, antibiotics may also be given to help your dog feel better.

If your dog has a constant cough that does not go away, or has had changes in ability to exercise, breathing, or appears to have swelling around the chest or abdomen, in may indicate a lung or heart issue. Your vet can thoroughly examine your dog for any signs of heart or lung problems and can then offer care as needed depending on the cause.

Read Full Q/A … : Dog Coughing: Types and Causes – WebMD

Q. Can you put your sick 16yr cat down with pills, cannot afford a veterinarian.
ANSWER : A. If you are in financial difficulty, there are ways of still getting your pet treated by a veterinarian. Ask if they take Care Credit and apply online. This is a credit card specifically for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses.

Call a local animal shelter or college of veterinary medicine in your area and ask if they have a low- or no-cost veterinary care program.

GiveForward and Youcaring.com are crowd funding websites that help you raise money to help take care of your pets

Harley’s Hope Foundation is an organization that ensures low income pet parents and their companion or service animals remain together when issues arise.

Many breed rescues and groups have specials funds available for owners who need financial assistance, such as the Special Needs Dobermans, Labrador Lifeline, and Pitbull Rescue Central.

Banfield Pet Hospital has its own programs for owners that can’t afford their pet’s care.

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) works with seniors, people with disabilities, people who

have lost their job, good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten who may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion.

The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.

God’s Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help.

IMOM is dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker

is financially challenged.

The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information.

Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay.

Some groups help with specific disease, such as Canine Cancer Awareness, The Magic Bullet Fund, Helping Harley Fund, and Muffin Diabetes Fund.

The Pet Fund and Redrover.org are great sources for help to care for your pet.

The Humane Society website has many links to other organizations that help with veterinary expenses.

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Q. How about a name? Should I decide on a name for my puppy first?
ANSWER : A. Yes, to avoid confusion or disagreement amongst family members, it might be better to select the name of the puppy before he/she comes into the home. Just select a few names and settle on one that everyone can agree on and start calling the puppy by that name as soon as he/she comes. If you use this name from the start, the puppy will become more familiar with the name and will develop more affinity with you and your family. Of course, if you find that the puppy just does not seem suited to the chosen name and you change your mind and decide on a different name, the puppy will recover.

Read Full Q/A … : 3 Ways to Name Your New Puppy or Dog – wikiHow

Q. Our 5 yr olds Boxer is coughing or like there is something in his throat. We have had him 3 yrs he’s had all shots? What could this be?
ANSWER : A. If it is a sudden onset and frequent cough, I would first think of a case of tracheobronchitis. This is an upper respiratory infection, often known as “kennel cough”. There are a variety of bacterial and viral infections that can cause similar symptoms. Sometimes the pet is also lethargic, may have a fever or nasal discharge – but often times, they do not act “sick”, just cough a lot. In order to make sure there is nothing else going on, I would recommend that you have him examined by your vet. They can prescribe a cough suppressant and antibiotics if warranted. If he does have tracheobronchitis, consider him contagious to other dogs.

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Q. our little dog coughs several times a day… would it be worms causing this? we purchased sentry hc worm x ds worm medicine,but still caughs
ANSWER : A. Coughing can be a sign of many different issues. Worms are usually not at the top of the list except for heartworm which would be diagnosed with a blood test. In a little dog like a Pomeranian, a collapsing trachea would be a common cause. This cough usually sounds like a dry honk and happens especially when they are excited. Kennel cough could be a cause of your dog goes to the groomer, daycare, dog park or has been boarded recently. More serious issues that cause a cough are asthma and heart disease. The bottom line is your dog needs to be examined by a veterinarian and she may need to take an X-ray and do a heartworm test to determine the cause. If you are concerned about other worms, bring a stool sample.

Read Full Q/A … : Ask The Vet

joliana smith

My name is Sarah Smith and I am a dog owner, lover, and trainer. I have been working with dogs for over 10 years and have a passion for helping them learn and grow. I am a certified dog trainer and specialize in positive reinforcement methods. I believe that all dogs can learn and that the best way to train them is to build a strong relationship based on trust and respect.