Dogs may cough for a variety of reasons. The coughs can be less or more serious, depending on the symptoms. Internal parasites, distemper, heartworm disease, or fungi are some of the most common causes of canine coughing, Here’s a list of symptoms for various diseases that could be causing the cough.
Kennel cough - This is one of the coughing types that are high and dry and sometimes acute. But a dog that has kennel cough does not seem to have it. The typical case of kennel cough can be healed in two-week time. Treatment includes monitoring the temperature, isolation from the other pets in the house or even family members to avoid infecting others and a humidifier that will help the pet to breathe a bit more easily. However, in small breeds of dogs and puppies, this type of coughing can sometimes be accompanied by secretions that may produce pneumonia. The vaccine that protects the dogs from getting this kind of disease is called Bordetella, and you ought to know that the intranasal type is far more efficient than the inoculation version.
Distemper- Even though puppies are required to get vaccines against it, the disease still remains serious. When the puppies are born, they have their immunity system pumped by the mother’s antibodies and, when he grows, these antibodies are reduced and any type of vaccination can be done in vain. In the first stage of the disease, distemper is associated with dry cough and the dog has fever and a thick yellowish nasal secretion. Fortunately, distemper can be prevented by vaccination. And vets vaccinate puppies and also give them yearly boosters to make sure the immunity system works properly.
Internal parasites- Infestation with these nasty parasites, such as heartworms or roundworms, can produce coughing too. Roundworms live in the dog's intestine and the pet can get infected by licking soil which is contaminated with worm eggs. Pups can be born with these parasites if the mother had them. Your dog may get heartworms from mosquitoes. They bite the dog and infect him with larvae. The coughing begins when the dog has enough parasites to block the oxygenated blood from circulating between lungs and heart. The treatment is long, but effective. Arsenic injections are used to kill the worms and then there has to be a second treatment, given 6 weeks after the first. Then, annual examinations have to be done to keep this under control.
Tuberculosis – the cough that is associated with tuberculosis is productive and moist; the dog will suffer from heavy and labored breathing and he will spit bloody phlegm. Tuberculosis can be discovered by using x-rays on the lungs.
Fungus disease – it resembles tuberculosis in many ways. It can lead to chronic coughs, weight loss, bouts of pneumonia, and fever.
Coccidiosis – this is a protozoan disease that has the same symptoms as distemper and it is most commonly found in unsanitary kennels. It produces allergies to house dust, pollen or insect bites and this causes coughing, as well as sneezing and itches.
If you notice your furry friend coughing, you should contact your vet as soon as possible, to ensure it is nothing serious.
