Dog Coughing Symptoms: Causes, Remedies, and When to Seek Help

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Why Is Your Dog Coughing? Understanding the Causes and Remedies

If your dog is coughing and you’re unsure why, you’re in the right place! In today’s video, I’ll walk you through how a veterinarian diagnoses a coughing dog, step by step. I’ll use Tula, my example dog, to show you exactly how we approach the situation in a veterinary practice. Plus, I’ll be sharing my top natural remedies to help your dog feel better.

Common Causes of Coughing in Dogs

There are several possible causes for a dog’s cough, ranging from mild to serious. Some common causes include:

  • Kennel cough

  • Foreign body in the airway (such as a piece of wood)

  • Tracheal collapse

  • Heart disease

  • Chronic bronchitis (allergic airway disease)

  • Heartworm disease

  • Dog flu

  • Pneumonia

Understanding the exact cause of your dog’s cough is crucial for providing the right treatment.


How Does a Vet Diagnose a Coughing Dog?

When you bring your dog in with a cough, here’s how I go about diagnosing the issue:

  1. Physical Exam:

    • First, I observe your dog. Is your dog alert and active, or sluggish and unresponsive? For example, if Tula came in with a history of coughing and appeared slow, lacking eye contact, and lethargic, I’d be concerned about something more serious, like chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.

    • If your dog is still bright, alert, and looking around, I might suspect something less serious, such as kennel cough or tracheal collapse.

  2. TPR (Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration):

    • I take your dog’s temperature using a rectal thermometer. A fever could indicate an infection, such as the dog flu or pneumonia.

    • I also listen to the heart and check the heart rate. If the heart rate is elevated, it could point to heart disease or an infection.

    • Listening to the lungs is essential. I check for decreased lung sounds, which may indicate fluid in the lungs, or crackling sounds, which could signal pneumonia.


What to Listen for When Checking Your Dog’s Heart and Lungs

To perform a simplified version of this exam at home, you can listen for heart and lung sounds by putting your ear on your dog’s chest (specifically around the left armpit). You might hear a heart murmur if your dog has heart disease. A heart murmur often causes a swishing sound, which you may also be able to feel if you place your hand under your dog’s chest.

When checking your dog’s gums, healthy gums should be pink. If your dog is seriously ill and oxygenated blood flow is compromised, their gums may appear blue or pale.


Assessing Your Dog’s Condition: Key Questions to Ask

To narrow down the cause of the cough, I ask important questions about your dog’s history:

  • Is the cough acute or chronic?
    An acute cough might point to kennel cough, while a chronic cough could be indicative of tracheal collapse or bronchitis.

  • Does the cough happen continuously, or is it worse at certain times (e.g., at night or in the morning)?
    Some dogs with heart disease experience worsening coughing at night or first thing in the morning.

  • Does exercise trigger the cough?
    If the cough worsens during exercise, it could be due to a collapsed airway or excessive pulling on the collar.

  • Has your dog been on any medications?
    I also ask about any past treatments and how your dog responded to them.

Home Remedies for Coughing Dogs

Once I’ve gathered this information, I recommend some effective home remedies to help alleviate your dog’s coughing:

  1. Remove the Collar
    If your dog wears a collar, switch to a harness. Pressure from a collar can irritate the airway and worsen coughing. I always suggest walking dogs with a harness to reduce pressure on their trachea.

  2. Increase Humidity
    Adding moisture to the air helps reduce inflammation in the airways and makes it easier for your dog to breathe. Use a humidifier or add some heat to the air to further assist in oxygen absorption.

  3. Anti-Cough Remedy
    One of the best remedies for coughing is a natural anti-cough mixture that includes:

    • Green Tea: Contains anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

    • Honey: Soothes the airway and has antibacterial properties.

    • Lemon: A great antioxidant, especially helpful for dogs with kennel cough.

    Here’s a simple recipe:

    • ½ cup of green tea (steeped and cooled)

    • 1 tablespoon of unpasteurized, local honey

    • 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

    This mixture can be given in doses of 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight, up to four times a day for an acute cough or twice a day for a more chronic cough.

  4. Dandelion Tincture
    Dandelion tincture acts as a natural diuretic, helping remove excess fluid from the lungs. This can be particularly helpful for dogs with heart disease or chronic bronchitis. The typical dose is ¼ milliliter per 10 lbs of body weight, 2-3 times a day.

  5. CBD (Cannabidiol)
    CBD is an anti-inflammatory that can help soothe your dog’s irritated airways. It can also provide mild sedation, helping your dog feel more comfortable. The recommended dose is 3 mg per 10 lbs of body weight, given twice a day.


When to See a Veterinarian

While home remedies can help, it’s important to recognize when your dog needs professional care. If your dog’s cough is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or lethargy, I recommend visiting your veterinarian.

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Conclusion

If your dog is coughing, it’s essential to take the right steps to determine the cause. By going through a physical exam, assessing the coughing pattern, and asking the right questions, you can narrow down the possible causes. From there, you can try natural remedies to help your dog feel better. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian for a thorough evaluation.

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