Top 8 MOST COMMON Causes Of COUGHING In Dogs | When To Worry About Your Dog's Cough | Vet Explains

In this video we will be looking at the top 8 most common causes of coughing in dogs as well as their diagnoses and treatment options. I will also explain when you should start to worry about your dog's cough and what to look out for.

Now the occasional cough in an otherwise healthy dog is usually nothing to worry about, but when the cough does become a constant or recurrent problem it can be a sign of a serious underlying illness.

As much as you would like to, there is unfortunately no way to accurately diagnose the exact cause of a dog’s cough by only listening to the sound it makes.

As coughing is associated with a number of diseases, a careful diagnostic workup is essential for establishing a diagnosis and it can thus be very dangerous to presume your dog has a specific disease based on only its cough.

Let me know down in the comments if your dog ever suffered from a cough and what you and your vet did to diagnose and treat his condition?

Here follows a breakdown of the topics covered in this video:

00:00 Introduction
00:38 Coughing due to Infections
01:45 Coughing due to Heart Disease
02:23 Coughing due to a Collapsed Trachea
03:12 Coughing due to Laryngeal Paralysis
03:56 Coughing due to Chronic Bronchitis
04:30 Coughing due to Cancer
04:55 Coughing due to Foreign Objects
05:17 When to worry about your dog's cough
05:48 How do we diagnose a coughing dog?
07:00 Take home message

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THIS VIDEO IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Legal Disclaimer: The content in this video is the property of Dr Pieter de Villiers, a licensed veterinarian. It is for medical education purposes and the information shared are well researched, but is still the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the South African Veterinary Council or the South African Veterinary Association.

For the Public: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. These are medical procedures performed by a medical professional and should not be performed in a non-medical setting. You should contact your own veterinarian, or other qualified healthcare provider, with any questions you may have regarding your pet's medical condition. Gender inclusive pronouns are being used in these videos, so when the author refers to "him" or "he", it also includes "her" or "she".

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[DogtorPete]

Thank you for watching this video. :) Let me know if your dog ever suffered from a cough and what you and your vet did to help him?

[XNYer]

I was looking for some examples of these coughs. That would be more helpful to se what kind of cough my dog has.

[nala]

Wished you gave examples of each type of dog cough sounds

[meghanokeefe]

I'm a RN and a new puppy owner. This video was very helpful. Thanks so much.

[mannygonzalez]

My dog has been having a harsh cough for like 4 years now. I’ve tried everything natural and nothing works. It’s mostly when she moves around or they pick her up. It’s like 5 coughs and then one big one and a gag at the end. It’s every day. She still eats her food. Drinks her water. Runs around. She a miniature pincher. She’s 13 years old.

[clemensprod.]

My dog, Peanut Butter is getting old :(
He’s around 12 years old. About 6 months ago this cough started, we noticed he would do it whenever he wanted attention though we still took him to the vet. They prescribed him some medicine without doing any tests just a physical exam.

6 months have gone by and our little buddy’s dry heaving and cough is getting really bad. It’s very hard for us right now, it’s clear to us that it’s gonna be time to say goodbye soon. 😭

He is such a good boy, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever mixed breed. We’re live pay check to pay check but we’re preparing financially to get this little guy to the vet this week and get the necessary test done.

We are worried how his younger sister will react if it’s time for us to say goodby to him soon

[Wob-rtsc]

Thank you for the information - however it would be much better to see examples of the coughs. I've just taken a video of my dog's cough to take to the vet - I'm sure you have access to lots of these which would be really helpful!

[stevenstevenson]

Great video i wish you had examples of the sounds thats what i came here for

[mgoddette]

I like these type of videos that go over multiple diseases. It is helping me with Pathology!

[jackiej]

I went to the vet for his cough ! Given antibiotics for “Lyme” positive test & Gabapentin for teeth pain!! Recommended EXPENSIVE X-ray & even more expensive Dr. X-ray Reader!!! I can’t afford xrays & Reader !! My dog needs help & I cannot believe $ 2, 000 for possibly finding why he’s coughing! Not a certainty !! Any Advice? Thanx for this great video

[ValorieBeigetone]

Thank you! You help me very much!❤ You can see you are caring. God bless

[martindoyle]

My dog now does not cough when I give him piriteze anti allergy tablet one in the morning helps him so much it might work with your dog to hope he /she gets well soon x

[shmitadass]

Thanks so much for telling me because my puppy also started coughing a lot Thanks doc/vet

[lilitalia]

Both of my senior dogs (rat terrier 12 yrs, pug 14 yrs) have a recurring cough over the summer that's come back. It's like: cough- cough - cough - hack like a hairball. My terrier had all his labs check and has slightly elevated liver enzymes and is now on a supplement. With both, it seems to happen more in the morning and at night, when we're out for a walk (if they pull on leash or get too excited). No change in appetites. Happy and seemingly healthy otherwise. 🤷‍♀️

[nncee]

Hi Doctor,
Love your video. My almost 11 year old Shihpoo was diagnosed with reverse cough years ago. Over the last year or so, he will frequently cough or hack with his mouth wide open until a small amount of white, or foamy, liquid is spit up. He also licks frequently during these episodes.
He wears a harness, not a collar. No smoking in the house, he’s not overweight, he’s on a diet for 11+ dogs. I think I’m going to take a video so when he has a vet appointment I can show them what his episodes look like.
Anything else I should do, or insights? Thank you!

[karlas.]

Hi, I have a 3 month old chihuahua that recently started reverse sneezing and he also has a dry cough that happens about 3 times a day, it's not a loud cough. He does not cough while running or when he gets excited, it usually happens when he is sleeping or sitting.

[b.n]

My dog is constantly coughing like he’s choking and trying to cough out something, it started when he ran away for 2 days and it rained for that 2 days then we found him in a pound (even possibly he could get a virus or sort there (poor ventilation) When we got home back that happened he’s an old dog maybe 10 years minimum I found out my dad gave him a little Idk a teaspoon or less of night quill (which is VERY TOXIC to dogs my dog is a small chihuahua) I told my dad to stop and he did but I don't think he's going to take him to the vet because of how expensive it is. I just don't know what to do I hope my dog survives though. 😕

[lindamadden]

Great explanation of canine coughing👍🏼

[pipperminty]

My dog Wicked is coughing right now. It’s a very soft huff noise occasionally followed by a gag. He’s vaccinated against kennel cough, and takes heartworm medicine. He’s a 4 year old Cairn Terrier. He only does it in the evening for a few hours, and has recently started snoring. I’m hoping it’s just really bad allergies. We’re calling our vet tomorrow.

[camc]

@Dogtor Pete
My 3 year old Beagle has just started coughing usually for 20-30 seconds once or twice a day. Vet said he has reverse cough and gave anti-inflammatory. Got him home and now the last few days he also sounds like he is snoring softly when he is asleep and grunting softly like a pig when sniffing around. Sleeping a lot. But being a Beagle he is never going to be refusing food.