Dogs cough a little because of protective reflex

1. Dog coughing is a normal protective reflex. Its function is to remove foreign bodies in the respiratory tract, especially in the trachea and main bronchi. However, if the dog turns to a persistent and severe cough, especially a dry cough, it will cause more serious consequences.

2. Many dog ​​owners feel nervous when they hear their dog coughing, thinking that their dog is sick. In fact, this is not the case. In addition to dogs coughing when they wake up or are excited, there are many other reasons. For example, dogs suddenly go from a warm indoor to a cold outdoor and are stimulated by cold air; they are also stimulated by smoke or dust. But if your dog has been coughing for a long time, he is probably really sick.

Possible causes of dog cough

The main causes of dog cough include upper respiratory tract disease, lower respiratory tract disease and cardiovascular disease.

1. Upper respiratory tract diseases
Nasopharyngeal abnormalities: rhinitis, sinusitis, foreign bodies or tumors in the nasopharynx, tonsillitis and tonsil tumors, etc.
Larynx abnormalities: inflammation, foreign bodies, trauma and tumors, etc.
Tracheal abnormalities: inflammation (inhalation of irritating substances or smoke), viral or bacterial infection, foreign body, tumor or tracheal collapse.
2. Lower respiratory tract diseases
Tracheal abnormalities: inflammation, viral or bacterial infection, parasitic infection, allergies, tumors or foreign bodies, etc.
Lung abnormalities: inflammation, viral or bacterial infection, fungal infection, aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary edema and tumors.
3. Cardiovascular diseases
Heartworm, pulmonary vascular obstruction or embolism, congestive heart disease and tumors, etc.
4. Other causes
Abnormalities in the esophagus: inflammation, foreign bodies or swelling, etc.
Pleural abnormalities: inflammation, bacterial or fungal infection, hernia and tumor, etc.

Countermeasures for dog cough

1. Under normal circumstances, mild and infrequent coughs can be relieved naturally as long as the sputum or foreign matter is discharged, without the need to use antitussives.

2. For severe dry cough without phlegm, apply compound licorice tablets antitussive to relieve cough and treat inflammation at the same time. Medication and dosage: Compound licorice tablets 1-2 tablets/time, taken orally, 3 times a day; Yandi and roxithromycin 100-150 mg/kg body weight, taken orally, 2 times a day; Lijunsha 0.2-0.3 g/time , 3-4 times a day, orally.

3. For those with phlegm, thick phlegm, especially if it is purulent and difficult to cough up, expectorants should be used, and it is generally not suitable to relieve cough. Medication and dosage: Ammonium chloride 0.2 mg/kg body weight, orally, twice a day; Potassium iodide 0.2-1 g/time, orally, 3 times a day; Compound licorice mixture 5-10 ml/time, orally, 3 times a day.

4. If the cough is caused by an infectious disease such as canine distemper, the dog’s body temperature should be monitored at any time to see if there are any otherSymptoms, seek medical attention if necessary.