My Dog Has a Cough - Causes and Treatments

You might think that if your dog is coughing, it's because they have a cold or have caught the well-known kennel cough, something similar to human flu.

However, there are many possible causes of coughing in a dog, and depending on the accompanying symptoms, we can tell whether it's something mild or, on the other hand, a serious problem. Let's look at all the details.

Types of cough in dogs

It's important to know how to identify the type of cough a dog has, since this can sometimes help pinpoint the source of the problem. It can be dry, shallow, harsh, deep and hacking, accompanied by phlegm or discharge... and so on.

Depending on the type of cough, how long it lasts, and how often it happens each day, the prognosis and diagnosis can differ.

By listening to the lungs, the vet can get a sense of whether there's any breathing abnormality, determining whether the issue happens on inhaling (upper airway) or exhaling (lower airway). That said, this is just a starting point, and more tests are needed to narrow down the diagnosis.

Causes of coughing in dogs

In reality, there are so many possible causes of coughing in a dog that the best option is always to see a vet for an exam and additional tests to get closer to a diagnosis. Here are some of the most common causes of coughing in our pets.

Cough from pharyngitis

That's right, pharyngitis can also affect dogs, and as a result of irritation of the throat, symptoms including excessive coughing can appear. The cough from pharyngitis is frequent and dry. However, unless we could see irritation in the throat, the symptoms could be confused with tracheitis.

Cough in dogs caused by pneumonia

Just like in humans, dogs can also get pneumonia. This means an infection of the lung tissue. It usually takes a few days to develop, and the vet can diagnose it via X-ray, seeing a "cotton cloud" pattern. It can come with mucous nasal discharge. Treatment is symptomatic, along with antibiotics.

Canine tracheobronchitis also causes coughing

Colloquially known as kennel cough. This is something similar to human flu. It's basically tracheobronchitis, usually starting in the trachea and spreading to the bronchi over the following days. It can be caused by bacteria or viruses.

Depending on how long it's been present, the cough will be more or less harsh and frequent. As mentioned here, the main symptoms are a deep, harsh cough. The vet can use an X-ray to see a bronchial pattern colloquially described as "doughnuts" and "train tracks." It needs symptomatic treatment and anti-inflammatories. Antibiotics may be added depending on severity.

Cough from tracheal collapse

Tracheal collapse usually occurs in small breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier and Chihuahua, among others. It's usually caused by the heart compressing the trachea, narrowing its diameter and making it harder for air to pass through properly. There are 4 grades, with 1 being the mildest and 4 the most severe.

Cough caused by pulmonary edema

Fluid buildup in the lungs, which can have various possible causes, results in coughing that will resolve with diuretics and symptomatic treatment from the vet.

Sneezing caused by grass awns

Many dogs, while playing, run through fields of dry cereal crops, especially in summer and spring. This poses a real danger, since a dry grass awn can get lodged in their nose, which will cause constant sneezing and the nose deviating, usually toward the side where the awn is lodged.

Cough in dogs due to cancer

Unfortunately, tumors can appear anywhere in our dog's body, including the lungs. In the lungs, metastases are usually more common than a primary tumor. This is easy to diagnose via chest X-ray, where the vet will see a miliary or metastatic pattern.

Cough in dogs caused by smoke irritation

Have you ever seen your dog cough when a car passes in front of them, breathing in some of the exhaust smoke? It's a dry, repetitive cough right at that moment. The same happens with cigarette smoke — if we're smokers, our dog can develop coughing as a symptom. That said, this type of cough usually appears in that moment and goes away once the source stops.

Car exhaust can make our dog cough without it being a serious problem. However, if the cough is persistent or comes with other symptoms, we should see a vet to have our dog examined.

Other factors that cause coughing in dogs

Although the causes mentioned so far might seem like a lot, there are actually many more we haven't covered. Still, the ones above are the most common. Remember that internal parasites, allergies, or anything else that causes irritation will also make our dog cough.

A dog can have an occasional cough (caused by irritation or illness) or a chronic cough, which will persist for their whole life.

What to do if my dog has a cough

First, we need to make sure it's nothing serious — to do this, we'll check our dog's mouth and see whether the cough is ongoing or just a one-off.

Car exhaust can make our dog cough without it being a serious problem. However, if the cough is persistent or comes with other symptoms, we should see a vet to have our dog examined.

Treating a cough in a dog

The vet will first need to take a history and do a general physical exam to get an initial idea. Typically, the next step is an X-ray to see what pattern is showing up in our pet's lungs or trachea.

That said, each cause requires different treatment, so our vet will give us one treatment or another, along with rest and using a harness instead of a collar.

Never give your dog human cough syrups or pills, since without realizing it, you could poison them or even cause their death.

How to prevent coughing in dogs

If it's a problem caused by illness, it's very likely there's nothing we can do to prevent the cough; however, there are tips that can help prevent many diseases and issues that show up with coughing as a symptom.

1. Use a harness instead of a collar if your dog pulls a lot, since this can affect the trachea.
2. Keep our dog away from other sick animals.
3. Don't let them play by running through planted fields or bushes.
4. Avoid letting them get too cold, sudden temperature changes, or direct drafts.
5. Avoid exposure to smoke of any kind.

Bibliography Bauer, T.G.: Diagnostic approach to cardiopulmonary disorders in: KIRK, R.W. Editor. Current Veterinary Therapy X. Small Animal Practice. Philadelphia. W.B Saunders Co. 1989; 188-195. Couto, C.; Nelson, R. (2000): chapter 43: Glomerulonephropathies in Medicina Interna de Animales Pequeños. 2nd ed. Argentina, Buenos Aires: Intermédica. pp. 652-659. Rejas López, Juan (coord.) (2003): Patología médica veterinaria. Universidad de León, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad de Zaragoza. Nelson & Couto (2010) (4th edition): Medicina interna en pequeños animales, Barcelona: Elsevier.