Sometimes, you may notice that your dog coughs and you don't know if it is something to worry about. As long it happens only now and then, you should not worry. On the other hand, when it happens often, and he cannot seem to be able to stop, you should consider visiting the vet.
Not very different from humans, dogs sometimes cough to take out something they breathe in.
Dogs have a tendency to sniff all around and they can easily contact viruses and all sorts of bacteria. They also spread easily from one dog to another.
One of the most common type of canine cough is the kennel cough. This is also known as infectious trachebronchitis and it represents an infection of the upper respiratory system that might have several causes. Most dogs have a bacterium called Bortadella bronchiseptica that causes their cough.
Once they have contacted the bacteria, it takes a few days before the symptoms begin. These include a dry cough, sneezing, gagging and even vomiting. Fever also appears in some cases.
The kennel cough can evolve into pneumonia in some cases and also cause a lower respiratory infection. Antibiotics can be used to treat these bacterial infections.
Kennel cough can be prevented by a vaccine, and disinfecting all cages properly. Even so, this can be also transmitted by air. Also, even vaccinated, a dog can contact a less severe form of kennel cough.
Another common cough can be caused by internal parasites. Roundworms that live in the intestine of dogs are one type of parasite that causes cough. They can be licked from the soil by the dog, or a dog can even be born with them. The larval worms get up to the windpipe when traveling in the bloodstream and that is when the coughing appears.
Heartworms are another type of parasite that are transmitted by mosquitos. This one matures and reproduces in the lungs and sends microfilaria to the dog?s blood for another mosquito to ingest and give it away to another dog.
The infection with heartworms takes around six months and the coughs starts when there are too many adult worms in the lungs of the dogs. At this point, the dog finds it hard to take even a small amount of exercise without coughing, or even sneezing.
Treating the heartworms can be easy and successful if your dog is healthy. He will need injections to kill both the heartworms and the microfilaria. After six weeks of rest, another set of injections is needed.
Prevention of internal parasites is easier than treatment. The presence of parasites can be detected by the use of blood tests. Most dog owners use preventive for parasites all year round, just to make sure their dog is safe.
So, in case your dog starts coughing, and it becomes more and more severe, do not hesitate to contact the vet. He will be able to further investigate his condition and make sure your dog gets a good treatment in time.
Also, pay attention to other symptoms that might come along with the coughing, which can indicate exactly a certain disease and will make things easier for your vet.
