Causes of Coughing in Dogs

Dogs cough for many reasons, irritants in the air, dust, pollen smoke, allergies or coughing caused by a virus, or bacterial infection from mold mildew or dust mites.

The sound and types of coughing can be clues that indicate underlying causes.

Kennel cough is a highly contagious viral infection and also easily treated with antibiotics. And sounds like a deep dry, and hacking cough, this type of cough can also be the result of something stuck in the dogs throat.

A cough that has a crackling sound most often means that fluid or phlegm has built up in the lungs. Often called a Wet Cough this can be the result of Pneumonia or congestive heart failure both life threatening and needs immediate attention by a veterinarian.

Small Breeds: A common cause of Coughing that sounds like a goose honk is the result of a Tracheal Collapse.

• Symptoms of tracheal collapse include a dry cough, exercise intolerance, respiratory distress, and gagging while eating or drinking.
• Treatment options include medical management, which works for about 70 percent of dogs with a mild form of the condition. More serious cases often require highly specialized surgery. Cartilage building supplements are also given to maintain the integrity of tracheal cartilage.

Laryngeal paralysis occurs most commonly in older, large breed dogs such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Saint Bernard’s, and Siberian Huskies. Usually, the larynx is normal at birth, but over time, the nerves and muscles that control the laryngeal cartilages lose function.