Like the majority of dog owners, you surely want your dog to enjoy a comfortable life, and so you do the needful to give every possible comfort to the canine companion. Despite your best efforts and intentions, the dog may develop some health conditions and ailments at times. At such times, you want to do everything possible in your capacity to offer relief to the animal.
Most breeds of dogs cope with coughing or wheezing from time to time. It can be a minor hazard or the onset of a breathing disorder. The best thing you can do is check it with a vet at the earliest. However, you also need to know what you should do to deal with a dog that is coughing and wheezing.
What can be the causes behind your dog’s coughing?
There can be several root factors that can cause your dog to cough and sneeze intermittently. These are:
- Heart disease.
- Collapsed tracheas.
- Kennel cough.
- Choking in throat.
- Chronic bronchitis.
- Respiratory infections.
A vet visit is a must when your dog is wheezing or coughing
Your dog may start wheezing or coughing for a number of reasons. While only a vet can fathom the exact reason, you should do the needful when it happens. This will help you manage the situation until the dog is assessed by the vet.
Do not delay and set an appointment with a dog veterinarian nearby when you find the dog is wheezing. If the incident takes place late at night and you have to wait till the next day, set an online appointment with the vet. This will help the vet fathom the root cause online, and he/she may suggest you some remedies. Observe the pattern of coughing and any associated symptoms so that you can offer the vet details for a better diagnosis.
Things to do to prevent recurrence of dog coughing and wheezing
There are a few measures that you can adopt to ensure your dog does not become prone to frequent coughing as well as wheezing. These are:
- Keeping the house dust free– If you live in a region with a lot of dust in the air, it can make the dog cough and wheeze from time to time. Using an air purifier is a good option to keep indoor air clean. It would also be a good idea to vacuum the rugs and carpets in the rooms regularly.
- Checking for air pollutants– Keeping the dog’s room or place free of air pollutants is a good step to prevent the recurrence of dog wheezing as well as coughing. Check for pollens and such particles in the air and reduce the usage of aerosol or chemical air fresheners. It will also be a good idea to evade smoking when you are with the dog; Passive smoking can be harmful to dogs too.
- Keeping medications- If your dog is susceptible to developing breathing ailments, you can talk with a vet about medications to treat such conditions from time to time. However, do not try to self–medicate the dog when you find him/her wheezing or/and coughing intermittently.
- Keeping the dog safer- If the dog is sneezing and coughing, you should put the animal away from dusty places. This will help evade aggravating the cough. It is better you keep the dog in a well-ventilated room.
- Staying calm– When your dog is coughing and wheezing, it may make you worried. However, it is necessary that you stay calm and do not show signs of panic. Dogs are good at sensing the mood of their owners. If the dog senses you are stressed, it will feel bogged down too. That will only worsen its health condition.
- Evading allergens– You may ask the vet about possible allergens that may cause your dog to develop wheezing or coughing. Such allergens may be there in its diet, and in some cases, making changes to the diet can be helpful.
- Following the vet’s advice- The vet will inspect your dog extensively and may recommend tests like a chest x-ray. Ensure these tests are done without delay. This will help the vet reach a conclusion, and he/she can recommend a suitable mode of treatment for the dog. Ensure the dog is given any medication advised by the vet afterward in the right manner.
Summing it up
It is not abnormal for dogs to cough at times, but when the coughing and wheezing become intermittent, you need to be cautious. Staying calm and scheduling a vet appointment is what you need to do in such situations.
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