Why is My Pet Coughing?

There are many reasons that could cause coughing in a dog or cat. Everything from the common air borne allergies to the more serious health problems such a heart disease can be the reason to cause coughing in dogs or cats.

Heartworms

Although heartworms can occur in cats too, it is most commonly seen in dogs. Some symptoms of heartworms in dogs can be, a dry, hacking cough, loss of appetite, weight loss & a swollen abdomen, (pot belly). Mosquitoes cause heartworm disease in dogs and cats but it is more common disease for dogs. A mosquito bites a dog that is already carrying the heartworms, which stay in the bloodstream in the larvae stage and these are the baby heartworms. Now that the mosquito has ingested the larvae, this mosquito will go bite another dog, which injects the larvae under the skin. The baby heartworms, or larvae, live in the bloodstream for around four months then they migrate their way up into the dog's heart, and once they are there, they develop into adult heartworms and stay all around the heart and stay there where they will eventually suffocate the heart which could cause difficulty breathing and will eventually lead to death if left untreated.

Heart Disease in Dogs

When heart disease occurs in the dog, most commonly the disease affects the valves of the heart. The valve of the heart becomes rounded in shape and cannot close properly which causes the back flow of blood and this will cause the chamber of the heart which is receiving the back flow of blood to become overflowed with blood. Over a period of time, all of this excessive overflow of blood in the chamber of the heart becomes stretched out and grows larger. The heart chamber that is enlarged now can begin to place pressure on to the trachea and the windpipe, which will result in the dog having a dry, hacking cough.

Kennel Cough In Dogs

Many times this is the reason behind a dog coughing. Tracheobronchitis is the medical term for Kennel Cough and the dog usually has dry hacking cough and the dog acts like there is a bone caught in his throat. This is the most common sign of this disease. The type of cough really does sound like that there must be something caught in the dog's throat and many dogs retch at the end of the coughing because it is so intense.

Most dogs that get kennel cough occurs when dogs are placed in-group situations, such as being boarded in a kennel or visiting doggy parks and they are often exposed to the organisms that cause tracheobronchitis. It is sort of like all the colds that are seen in kindergarteners.

A dry hacking cough is the most common sign of this disease. Most vets assume that a dog has tracheobronchitis when the owner calls on the phone and says "my dog has a bone caught in his throat". The type of cough really does cause many people to assume that there must be something caught in the dog's throat and many dogs retch at the end of the coughing. In some cases, pneumonia may occur as a complication of this disease.

Your dog can receive an intranasal vaccine along with his yearly vaccines called Bordetella to prevent the chance of Kennel Cough.

Heart Disease in Cats

When heart disease occurs in the cat, it usually involves only the heart muscle and not the valves in the chamber of the heart.

Weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, and difficulty breathing are the most common symptoms that are noticed of heart failure in cats.

Cardiomyopathy is the medical termed used given to this disease of the heart muscle in cats. This is caused by the heart not functioning properly to pump enough blood to the heart.

Hairballs In Cats

One reason your cat could be coughing may be due to hairballs. Cats groom themselves on a daily basis so there is a great chance of them swallowing some of their fur. Your local vet can prescribe a tube medicine that will take care of the hairballs.

Foreign Objects

Our pets are curious little creatures and we never know what they will pick up outside to eat. Sometimes a dog or cat can chew on a stick or any other foreign object and when they swallow this object, it can becomes lodged in their throats which will cause them to cough a lot and try to get the object out. An x-ray of your pet's throat may be necessary to make sure that their airway is clear from any objects.

Allergies

Our pets can suffer from allergies just like we do. Allergies can be the reason for your dog or cats coughing. They can have itchy, watery eyes, a dry cough and they sneeze. Oral antihistamines prescribed by your local vet will usually do the trick.

Take your pet to the vet immediately if you notice that he or she has any of the following:

A dry cough after exercising

A dry, hacking cough, which seems to be worse at night

Shortness of breath

Rapid or any weight loss

Lethargy, fatigue

Fainting spells

Swollen abdomen

Unresponsiveness to your voice.

If you notice your pet's everyday normal behavior changing in anyway contact your local vet immediately.

Sources:

I worked as a veterinary technician for 10 years & learned a lot of valuable information.

DISCLAIMER:

I am not a licensed vet but I did learn many useful tips and information during my years working for one. The above information is intended for educational purposes only and shall not take the place of seeking professional medical advice from a licensed veterinarian.