When the respiratory tract becomes irritated or obstructed, the body attempts to eject the irritant by coughing. An occasional hack or gag from your dog is normal, but you’ll need to seek medical help if she coughs excessively or displays other signs of illness.
Causes
When hair, food particles, sinus drainage, and other foreign objects try to sneak into the respiratory tract, your pet may cough or even gag. Persistent coughing not only keeps you up all night, it usually indicates a medical problem, such as a respiratory tract infection, kennel cough, collapsing trachea, pneumonia, internal parasite migration, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, heartworm infection, allergies, or cancer.
What you can do at home
You can prevent many of the conditions that cause this annoying and potentially painful problem. Keep your pet vaccinated, monitor her weight, limit exposure to cigarette smoke, administer a regular heartworm preventive, and don’t let your pet roam freely outdoors.
If your dog swallows a small object or chokes on her chow, she likely will cough it up on her own. But you’ll need to perform the Heimlich maneuver if she starts gasping for air, if her gums turn blue, or if she faints. For big dogs, wrap your arms around your pet’s body, interlace your fingers under her rib cage, and give a quick upward thrust. This will often dislodge the obstruction. For small dogs, grab the area just below the rib cage with your fingers and give a quick squeeze. If the first squeeze doesn’t work, try again—this time more forcefully. Call your veterinarian for help if you can’t dislodge the object.
If your dog develops a persistent cough, note the following details: Is the cough dry and nonproductive or moist and productive? Is it harsh and prolonged or soft and infrequent? Does your dog wheeze as she coughs? Does the cough sound similar to a goose honk, or do you hear snapping or clicking sounds (usually indicating phlegm)? Does your dog cough mostly at night, throughout the day, or only after exercise? This information will help the veterinarian make an accurate diagnosis.
When to call the veterinarian
Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet develops a fever, exhibits bluish gums, acts lethargic, struggles to breathe, or coughs for more than 24 hours.
What your veterinarian will do
If your veterinarian can’t elicit a cough, he or she will ask for your best impersonation. The doctor also will ask about the cough’s duration, frequency, and when it occurs. After a careful physical examination, your dog may need blood or fecal tests, X-rays, and an ultrasound.
As you can see, many medical conditions can cause persistent coughing, and your veterinarian will need time to identify the problem.
