Honking Dogs

An occasional cough from your dog is a normal response to clear some type of irritant from their throats. A cough that becomes progressively worse, is associated with exercise intolerance or is productive, especially if blood is seen, should be brought to your veterinarians’ attention immediately.

A cough that has an acute or sudden onset may be due to food or water that has gone down the wrong tube or foreign material that has become lodged in the back of the throat. If your dog is breathing normally, does not seem distressed, it may be best to just give it some time. If your dog is choking, the Heimlich maneuver can be used to dislodge the item. It is performed in the same manner that you would with a person. If you not know how, now is the perfect time to enroll in a Pet First Aid Course at your local chapter of the American Red Cross.

If you have a small to medium sized, middle-aged dog that sounds more like a duck honking than a dog barking, it may be experiencing a condition known as tracheal collapse. As we age, our bodies tend to weaken. This holds true for the cartilage rings that make up our tracheas. When a dog is excited, panting, drinking water or pulling on its collar, it may cause a temporary collapse of the rings of the trachea that help keep the airway open.

A cough may signify a more serious condition such as lung disease, tumors, or heart disease.

Most pets do not need medical therapy for tracheal collapse. If your dog is overweight, weight loss can lessen the attacks. Walking your pet on a harness rather than a collar can also be of assistance. Second hand smoke as well as other types of inhaled allergens can exacerbate the condition. Occasionally a pet needs medications such as cough suppressants, antibiotics, or bronchodilators.

A cough may also signify a more serious condition such as lung disease, tumors, or heart disease. If the your pet’s cough persists, is getting progressively worse, or is causing distress, see your veterinarian because it is “Your Pet…Health Matters.”