Common Causes of Dog Cough: A Comprehensive Guide

Take note of the following scenarios; if any of these are present, it's time to be vigilant:

1. Lack of appetite

2. Lack of energy

3. Missing items at home

4. Sustained strong impact

Observe the type of cough your dog is experiencing:

1. A wet cough with phlegm often suggests respiratory system issues.

2. A persistent, harsh dry cough, without other complications, is typically indicative of kennel cough.

3. A weak, intermittent cough may point to pneumonia.

4. A continuous dry cough could be a sign of heart disease. Additionally, heartworm disease can also cause dry coughing.

Conditions that may cause coughing:

1. Roundworm infection: Roundworms reside in the dog's small intestine, leading to symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting, coughing, and diarrhea. Excessive worms can even cause intestinal blockage.

2. Mitral valve insufficiency: The mitral valve is crucial for preventing backflow of blood in the heart. When it fails, blood can flow backward, a condition more common in older, small dogs. The exact cause is unknown, and genetics may be a factor.

3. Heart failure

4. Tracheal collapse: Characterized by chronic coughing, which worsens during exercise, difficulty breathing, and purple discoloration of the lips and mouth.

5. Bronchial stenosis: This condition narrows the trachea, causing breathing difficulties. It can be caused by foreign objects or inflammation on the outside of the bronchial tubes, leading to symptoms like coughing, snoring, and abnormal breathing sounds, with severe cases presenting with difficulty breathing.

6. Pulmonary edema: Symptoms include coughing, abnormal breathing sounds, and bloodtinged mucus due to difficulty breathing. The tongue may turn purple. If these symptoms are present, seek veterinary care immediately.

7. Pneumonia: Persistent coughing, high fever, difficulty breathing, decreased appetite, and a possible posture of extended front limbs and head forward. Pneumonia progresses rapidly and requires immediate attention.

8. Nasal stenosis: Often congenital, this condition causes a dog to breathe with a nasal sound and produce mucus, potentially leading to oxygen deficiency during exercise or excitement.

9. Sinusitis: Symptoms include bloodtinged or pusfilled mucus, nasal congestion, and possibly difficulty breathing. Swelling around the nose may also occur.

10. Rhinitis: Initially, mucus may be watery, but as the condition worsens, it becomes thicker and can block the nostrils, causing difficulty breathing. Dogs may breathe through their mouths and exhibit abnormal breathing sounds.

11. Heartworm infection: This parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include lack of energy, loss of appetite, coughing, and difficulty breathing. If left untreated, the disease can lead to abdominal swelling and hematuria. Since symptoms are often subtle in the early stages, the disease can be easily overlooked.

12. Canine distemper

13. Canine adenovirus type II

14. Canine hepatitis

Mild cases may only present with loss of appetite and lowgrade fever. Severe cases can cause high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vary in symptoms depending on the strain. Acute symptoms can lead to high fever, bleeding, and death within 24 hours.

15. Rabies: Dogs may become aggressive and bite or tear at objects in their vicinity after showing symptoms like loss of appetite and a preference for dark corners. Some cases may exhibit a period of drowsiness before the onset of paralysis symptoms.