Does your dog cough as if choking? We know what to do!

"Betrayed dog no creatures" - sang the famous electronics in the famous film. Millions of dog lovers will agree with this without hesitation. They become family members: they are happy with our arrival, they are sad when we have problems, they make up the company when we are bored, and they get sick from time to time, just like us, and they need special care.

Almost every fan of our smaller brothers has ever faced the fact that the dog coughs, as if choking. Especially sensitive owners of four-footed friends in this situation start to panic, suggesting different, sometimes completely unthinkable and, of course, incredibly serious variants of the diseases. It is quite obvious that these actions lead to nothing good. So find out why the dog coughs.

Possible Causes of Coughing Dogs

In fact, the reasons can be very diverse, and not necessarily this must be associated with serious diseases. For example, the body can react in this way to hypothermia, as a result of which the pet could catch a cold.

Another reason may be an allergic reaction to something. Irritant in this case can be anything: from the pollen to the carpeting of your apartment. It should be noted that in this case the dog coughs, as if choked.

Do not forget about the most, it would seem, banal, but at the same time, the most likely option. In the throat of your four-legged friend, a foreign object or particles of food could easily get stuck, which irritate the mucous membrane and provoke a cough.

Heart failure factor

In addition to the already mentioned options, it should be noted that a possible cause of coughing may be malfunction in the operation of your animal's cardiovascular system. The gums of the dog in this case will be dark, almost cyanotic. The same change in color will be observed in relation to the language. Most often this kind of cough begins during the sleep of the animal and eventually intensifies. In the risk zone in this respect are dogs of large breeds.

Viral and invasive etiology of cough

Cough can also occur in the presence of parasites in the body of an animal. Cough causative agents are toksokary and hookworm. The last reason that a dog coughs can become a viral infection, which is transmitted by contact with another infected animal. In this case, contact may not be direct, but indirect. The virus can reach a four-legged friend through your clothes and shoes.

Additional symptoms to look out for

If the dog coughs, as if choking, you should check the presence of dry nose, animal activity, the presence of excreta from the lacrimal glands. Be sure to see whether the appetite of the animal has changed. It is very important to understand the nature of the cough of your four-legged pet. It can be dry, expectorant, moist or stiff. Watch how long the cough lasts.

Which breeds are more prone to having a cough?

It should immediately be noted that there are a number of breeds that have a genetic predisposition to problems of this kind due to the characteristics of the organism. These breeds include dogs with a flat muzzle and, as a result, a short nose section. The first in this list are so beloved pugs and English bulldogs. The same group includes Pekingese, Japanese chinas, griffons, and in some cases even shar pei. If you are the owner of a dog of one of the listed breeds, you should not immediately panic if your dog coughs, as if choking.

What you should know about coughing

Any veterinarian in the world will tell you that coughing is not a disease, but only a symptom. In most cases, this is the defensive reaction of the body to any stimulus. That's why you should not do home treatment without consulting a specialist beforehand.

Your actions in case of coughing in a dog

First of all, if the dog coughs, this is not a reason for panic. Carefully examine the oral cavity of the animal, look as deep as possible into the throat of your four-legged friend. Be sure to feel out the esophagus of the pet from the outside. This will help to exclude the possibility of a foreign object.

Wait a while, observe the behavior of the pet. If the situation has not changed, and your dog coughs, as if choking, an extended period, you should contact the veterinarian.

The specialist will be able to determine the source of the problem immediately, or he will give directions to the product of the necessary tests and examinations, which will allow him to prescribe the correct treatment.

In short, if the dog coughs, this is not a reason for panic. This is not necessarily a symptom of tracheobronchitis or dirofilariasis.

Your task in this case is to remain calm, to love your pet and to seek advice in time.