![]() ![]() Adult lungworms infect the heart and blood vessels of the lungs, which often results in a cough. Lungworm is a parasite carried by infected slugs and snails, which can seriously harm a dog’s health and can even prove fatal. This is known as chronic bronchitis and the underlying irritation can be hard to diagnose. When airways become inflamed, dogs can develop a dry, hacking cough that worsens with exercise and over time. Regular check-ups at the vet will help pick up any heart health issues early on. For example, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is susceptible to mitral valve disease, which is diagnosed by a heart murmur and leads to congestive heart failure (when the heart can’t pump blood around the body as well as it should). These factors can put pressure on the airways, causing the dog to cough. Some breeds are particularly prone to certain heart conditions. This is because some heart conditions lead to an enlarged heart and fluid in the lungs. Heart diseaseĪ cough is one of the first signs of heart disease in a dog. A combination of lifestyle changes – such as using a harness to walk them rather than a neck lead – and medication can help ease the condition. Over time, this weakness can actually cause the trachea to collapse. This condition is characterised by a cough often described as sounding like a goose ‘honk’. A dog with this condition will often require treatment from the vet, depending on its severity. ![]() Most commonly seen in small or toy breed dogs, a collapsing trachea is a progressive weakening of the cartilage rings along the trachea, or windpipe. Ingesting these can lead to acute onset coughing. You should take them to the vet right away to have the foreign object removed. Owners who regularly walk their dogs through fields should also be aware of seed heads, which are around in late spring and autumn. A foreign body can become stuck in your pet’s airway and cause them to cough or gag. Many dogs, and especially puppies, enjoy chewing on objects – from their favourite toy, to a stick they’ve found while exploring the great outdoors. Swallowed or inhaled a something unexpectedly However, if concerned, a vet will be able to advise on a best treatment plan. The good thing is, kennel cough is not usually dangerous and will often clear up within a couple of weeks without treatment. Aside from the persistent cough, in most cases, dogs will seem healthy and have an appetite. In some dogs, it can even sound as though they are sneezing or gasping for breath. Kennel cough often sounds like the dog has something stuck in their throat, as though they were retching. Starting with one of the more familiar causes of a cough, kennel cough is a highly contagious cough, which can be caused by bacterial infection in dogs. Distinguished by a hacking cough, kennel cough can lead to a dry and hoarse cough, or what is known as a ‘productive,’ cough, which can result in the dog bringing up mucus. Read on to find out what to listen out for. Some canine coughs are more serious than others. ![]()
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