Common Causes & Medications for Dog & Cat Coughs

Understanding the Causes of Pet Coughs

Coughs in pets can be categorized into dry and wet types. Dry coughs typically do not produce phlegm or only produce a small, nonviscous amount. Wet coughs, on the other hand, are accompanied by phlegm that may be thick and even puslike. The most common cause of coughing in pets is respiratory infections, but foreign body irritation and cardiovascular diseases can also trigger coughing.

Specific Causes of Pet Coughs Include:

1. Viral Infections: Dogs and cats are susceptible to various viruses like distemper, kennel cough, parvovirus, and rabies. These viruses can severely impact their heart, lungs, gastrointestinal system, and respiratory tract, leading to coughing. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing, with coughs often transitioning from dry to wet as the condition worsens. Pets with pneumonia or bronchitis will typically exhibit coughing as a primary symptom.

2. Respiratory Infections: When bacteria or viruses enter a pet's respiratory system, inflammation can occur, causing coughing. This type of cough is usually wet and may be accompanied by increased eye and nasal discharge, fever, and possibly overexposure to salt, which can lead to respiratory infections. Dogs and cats may also experience mild respiratory infections during temperature changes, such as when they catch a cold during a season change.

3. Parasitic Infections: Internal parasites can cause discomfort and symptoms like diarrhea and coughing. Parasites like roundworms, heartworms, and toxoplasma can migrate to the lungs, causing persistent coughing and sometimes even coughing up the parasites themselves.

4. Environmental Factors: Dogs and cats are sensitive to dust, smoke, and other irritants that can刺激 their respiratory tracts and throats, leading to coughing. Air conditioning blowing directly on pets can also cause coughing due to the sudden exposure to cold air. Some pets may cough at night or upon waking due to the cooler temperatures, which can also irritate their respiratory systems.

5. Foreign Body Irritation: Dogs and cats may cough if they ingest foreign objects, which can cause throat irritation. Eating too quickly or swallowing food that is not wellchewed can also lead to coughing. Excitement or stress can also trigger coughing in pets, which is generally a normal response that subsides once they calm down.

Pet coughs can be either pathological or nonpathological. Pathological coughs often come with additional symptoms, while nonpathological coughs are usually dry and easier to distinguish. It's crucial to identify the cause of a pet's cough promptly, as pathological causes may require immediate medical intervention, while environmental factors or foreign bodies may need to be removed or avoided.

Two: Treatment Methods for Pet Coughs

The treatment of pet coughs primarily targets pathological causes, such as viral infections, respiratory infections, and parasitic infections.

Here are some specific medications:

1. Levamisole Hydrochloride Tablets: This is a broadspectrum deworming medication for dogs and cats that can kill a variety of internal parasites, including heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. It also enhances the effectiveness of vaccines. When the parasites are eliminated, cough symptoms may improve. Dosage is based on the pet's weight, with 10mg per 1kg of body weight.

2. Aminophylline Tablets: This medication can treat asthma in dogs and cats and also has some effectiveness against allergic bronchitis caused by pollen, dust, mites, food, and temperature changes. It can relieve coughing caused by allergic bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. Dosage is 1015mg per 1kg of body weight, taken orally.

3. Catarrh Tablets: Designed for feline rhinitis, this medication can alleviate symptoms like coughing, sneezing, increased eye discharge, and watering eyes caused by feline herpesvirus. The high concentration of lysine in the formula inhibits the replication and spread of the feline herpesvirus, slowing its reproduction. Cats should take one tablet twice a day for six days.

4. Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium: This broadspectrum antibiotic is effective in treating respiratory infections and other inflammatory conditions in dogs and cats, including feline rhinitis. It can suppress inflammation and kill bacteria that cause infections. Dosage should be as prescribed by a veterinarian.

5. Nokifen: This cough suppressant is designed for dogs and cats suffering from coughs and sputum due to various diseases. It can treat symptoms like excessive coughing, lung heat, stubborn kennel cough, bronchitis, respiratory infections, and throat pain. It is made from traditional Chinese medicine ingredients and is gentle on the stomach. Dosage varies based on the pet's weight.

Always read the medication instructions or consult a professional veterinarian before administering any medication. If a pet exhibits pathological cough symptoms, it's essential to seek veterinary care immediately and follow the doctor's advice for treatment. Incorrect medication use can cause further harm to the pet.

Three: Prevention of Pet Coughs

To prevent pathological coughs in pets, it's important to reduce the risk of viral and bacterial infections.

Firstly, pet owners should ensure their pets are up to date on vaccinations to prevent diseases like distemper, kennel cough, parvovirus, and rabies. Vaccinations can reduce the risk of infection and, consequently, coughs caused by these diseases.

Secondly, regular deworming is crucial to prevent internal parasites from entering the pets' bodies and irritating their lungs and intestines.

Preventing bacterial infections involves managing the pet's diet and lifestyle. The diet should be clean, fresh, and light, and dry food should not be left out for too long to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth.

Preventing nonpathological coughs requires attention to the pet's daily routine. Training pets not to pick up foreign objects and keeping small items out of reach can prevent throat irritation. If pets are allergic to pollen or perfumes, avoid exposing them to these substances. Maintaining good hygiene and air circulation in the pet's living area can help prevent respiratory infections.

During seasonal changes, pet owners should take timely measures to keep pets warm, providing them with warmer bedding and avoiding letting them lie on the floor, which can lead to colds and coughs. It's important to note that human cough medications should not be used for pets, as they can be ineffective and even harmful.

In summary, pet coughs can range from mild to severe. Pet owners should not ignore persistent coughing, as it can lead to throat damage or respiratory bleeding. It's crucial to monitor pets' health closely and seek veterinary care promptly if coughing occurs. By taking these steps, pets can return to good health.

For further questions about identifying the causes of pet coughs and treatment options, feel free to consult our online pet doctors.