Coughing in Pets

It will almost always be something wrong with their respiratory system, but it could also be a sign that something is wrong with their heart or some type of mass build up in their chest.

However, it may also be caused by an underlying disease and these are the first symptom that you are receiving. Understanding coughing in your pet could save their lives.

The respiratory system in your pet includes the mouth, the nose and nasal passages, as well as the throat, and the voice box. It also includes airways to the trachea and the small airways to the lungs including the bronchi. Coughs are more common in dogs than it cats, but either pet can develop a cough.

Coughing in pets is an expulsion of air from the lungs that is not something your pet is used to. It is also a sound that can easily be confused with other symptoms such as a sudden gagging, difficulty in breathing, or a condition known as reverse sneezing.

Reverse sneezing, although it may sound like your pet is dying because they cannot breath, is not nearly as serious as coughing, as it is simply an irritation in their throat.

Listen to the cough:

When your pet does cough more than a couple of times, pay real close attention to it and listen to them as closely as you can. The type of cough may give you an idea of what is happening. If you have pulled your pet’s collar to tight, you will hear a sudden honking sound as they may have just suffered a trauma to their tracheal or their windpipe.

However, if you have done nothing, this may be an indication that a respiratory disease is starting to attack you pet. If the cough is moist sounding as if there is a fluid involved, it usually is fluid or mucus building up. However, it could also be more sinister and actually be the start of congestive heart failure in your pet.

Coughing in pets can be productive if something is actually coughed up and released such as a watery fluid, pus, or even blood. However, if nothing is produced, it is considered non-productive and dangerous to your pet as it is not natural. The following are potential reason for coughing in pets.

Bacterial Infections:

This condition is a lot more common in dogs than in cats. There could be several types of bacterial infections that have attacked you dog’s lungs and airways, such Bordetella, E. coli, or Pneumonia.

This is considered a productive cough as something may be produced. This form of infection may be accompanied by labored breathing but not always.

If it is a bacterial infection, it will produce a fever, followed by a sudden loss of appetite. Your pet than may become very ill, depending on the bacteria. The treatment will include antibiotics as well as supportive care. The outcome will depend on the severity of infection.

Viral Infections:

This form of coughing in pets will attack both cats and dogs equally. In cats it may be Rhinotrachetis or Caliciviris; in dogs it may be Adenovirus, or Herpes virus. This is also considered a productive cough and your pet may or may not develop dyspnea, which is difficulty in breathing.

The symptoms almost always include a very high fever and are often complicated by a bacterial infection as well as the viral infection.

If will be treated with antibiotics and supportive care especially if there is a bacterial infection involved. The prognosis will all depend on what type of virus it is and how much damage it has caused.

Parasite Infections:

This form of coughing in pets attacks both cats and dogs and is almost always a worm disease. It will be caused by heart worms, lung worms, hook worms, or round worms. This cough is considered non-productive and is generally accompanied by a labored breathing.

Blood tests will have to be run to determine if it is heartworm disease, which can be fatal to your pet. It will be treated with anti-parasite treatments, and if it is caught very early, the outcome is usually very good.

Cardiovascular:

If the cause of coughing in pets involves the cardiovascular system, it is most likely congestive heart failure. This affects both cats and dogs, but is more common in cats. This is a cough that you will really need to listen for and pay close attention to, as it will be very easy to overlook.

It is a considered a productive cough and it will be a very subtle; in fact, it is almost termed a half cough because it sounds like your pet is clearing their throat. This cough if you listen real close, will sound moist. The treatments will vary depending how severe it is and could include surgery as well a medications.

Allergic reactions or Irritants:

This type of a cough could signal feline asthma or several forms of allergic bronchitis. However, in the majority of cases it will be caused by dust, pollen, or second hand smoke. It is considered a non-productive cough and will be treated with bronchodilators antihistamines, or cough suppressants.

The remedy will all depend on how you can control the environment to reduce the allergens.

Alternative treatments:

There are natural treatments for coughing in pets that will include both herbs and minerals. Echinacea help to support the upper respiratory system in your pet and acts as a tonic for the immune system.

Magnesium phosphate soothes coughs and is especially effective in liquid coughs and infections as it keeps the lungs, chest and throat clear of liquid buildups.

Belladonna is a very effective herb that works on short, dry, and tickling coughs in your pets.

Summary:

Coughing in pets is not natural, and extremely dangerous if it becomes persistent. Anytime you hear your cat or dog cough, do not down play it; it could very well be the beginning symptoms of something much more serious.

And if they do cough, listen to closely as they are telling you something.

Natural Medications for Coughing in Pets

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