Cough (Tussis) is a sharp, jerky exhalation that occurs after a deep breath; The previously closed glottis, under the pressure of air from the lungs and contraction of the respiratory muscles, noisily opens, and the mucus contained in the larynx, trachea and bronchi is thrown out.
In dogs, a cough of reflex origin is caused by irritation by mucus or foreign bodies of the sensitive endings of the vagus nerve and its branches located in the mucous membrane of the posterior wall of the pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. From here, irritation is transmitted to the region of the cough center located in the medulla oblongata. In this case, cough plays a protective role, as it helps clear the airways. Irritation of a reflex nature can be transmitted interoceptorally and from other organs - pleura, liver, stomach, spleen, uterus, mucous membrane of the pharynx, cerebral cortex, etc.
The duration of the cough can be infrequent, frequent or constant. At the beginning of the inflammatory process, when the mucous membrane of the larynx is slightly inflamed, the dog’s cough is loud; when the larynx is swollen, it is hoarse. In dogs, it is common to distinguish between wet and dry cough.
A wet cough is observed in acute inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract, when a large amount of easily moving mucus accumulates in them.
A dry cough in a dog is caused by the accumulation of small amounts of viscous mucus or films. It usually occurs with the development of chronic processes in the respiratory tract.
Depending on the degree of elasticity of the lungs and the energy of the expiratory muscles, a dog’s cough can be weak, strong, superficial and deep.
The painfulness of a dog’s cough is determined by its owner by the dog’s specific movements (shaking its head, chewing and swallowing movements, stretching its head and neck, sometimes the dog whines, etc.), with the help of which the dog tries to suppress its cough. A particularly painful cough occurs in acute laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, and pleurisy.
Causes of cough in dogs
The cause of a dog’s cough may be one or another disease of the dog:
- Respiratory diseases (pulmonary edema, pneumonia, bronchitis).
- Ingestion of liquid and foreign objects into the respiratory tract.
- Accumulation of air or fluid in the pleural cavity.
- Lung cancer.
- Diseases of the oral cavity (dental diseases).
- Throat diseases (tonsillitis).
- For various parasitic diseases (dirofilariasis, toxascariasis, etc.)
- Infectious diseases (infectious triobronchitis, adenovirosis).
- For heart disease (valvular defects, dilated cardiomyopathy).
- Allergies in dogs.
- Hereditary characteristics of some dog breeds (dogs with a short muzzle are most often affected).
Viral cough
Most often, cough of infectious etiology in dogs occurs as a result of the dog becoming infected with infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough). The causative agent of the disease is mainly Bordatella bronchiseptica, pseudomonas (Pseudomonas), Friedlander's bacillus (Klebsiella pneumoniae), as well as mycoplasma.
Infection of a healthy dog occurs as a result of direct contact with a dog that is sick or infected with the disease.
The disease begins with a frequent, deep and severe dry cough. Owners notice a cough in a dog within a few days after its contact with a sick dog, when it begins to cough, as if a small bone is stuck in its throat. In some cases, infectious tracheobronchitis in a dog may appear after suffering stress. The difference between this disease, for which it received the name “kennel cough,” is that it is most often common in places where dogs congregate, especially where they are kept in close quarters by their owners—kennels and shelters.
The disease in a dog is accompanied by a refusal to eat; when examining the oral cavity, we find enlarged tonsils and irritation of the trachea; some sick dogs regurgitate foamy liquid. Coughing symptoms in dogs usually last for 1-3 weeks, but in dogs with narrow tracheas that are prone to trachea collapse, the cough may last longer. In some dogs, the disease is accompanied by a runny nose in addition to a cough. A dog of any breed and at any age can develop infectious tracheobronchitis. Most of all, this disease affects dogs with congenital abnormalities in the development of the respiratory system, leading to the development of chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis.
Infectious tracheobronchitis can occur in dogs in both mild and severe forms. In mild cases, the disease goes away on its own; sometimes symptomatic therapy is sufficient. When the disease becomes more complicated in a dog, we note general apathy, lack of appetite, symptoms of conjunctivitis and rhinitis, elevated body temperature, and sometimes pneumonia develops. Sometimes the disease becomes similar to carnivore plague.
Treatment . Today there are no specific treatments for this disease caused by several types of microorganisms. In treatment today, expectorants and antitussives are used. When treating a cough, it is necessary to keep in mind that antitussive drugs must be given together with expectorants, because otherwise the dog will have sputum in the bronchi. In severe cases of the disease, antibiotics are used. For a faster recovery and to make breathing easier, it is recommended to install a humidifier. The sick animal is given rest; the air in the room should be warm.
Prevention. Dogs must be vaccinated against adenovirus respiratory infection.
Hypersensitivity cough: pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, treatment. Chapter 6
Currently, to explain the mechanisms of development of chronic cough, the concept of hypersensitive cough syndrome (HSCS) has been proposed, and chronic cough in patients with asthma, GERD, and rhinosinusitis is recommended to be considered as clinical phenotypes of HSCS. It is indicated that GCHS often starts after an upper respiratory tract infection. In 2014, an expert report (44 experts from 14 countries) of the European Respiratory Society was published, in which HCHS is proposed to be called . ”
Rice. 1. Possible causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of HPC.
Confirmation of the increased sensory sensitivity of the respiratory tract receptor apparatus is a change in the threshold of the cough reflex, an increased cough reaction in response to inhalation of capsaicin, citric acid or other irritants. With increased sensitivity of sensory receptors, even minimal stimulation causes a cough.
Rice. 2. Comparison of the cough response to different levels of stimulus in normal conditions and during hyperventilation.
The following clinical characteristics of hypersensitive cough syndrome have been established:
- Irritation in the throat or upper chest: laryngeal/pharyngeal parasthesia.
- Cough caused by non-cough stimuli, such as speech, laughter: allotussia.
- Increased cough sensitivity to inhalation stimuli and an increase in the number of triggers: hypertussia.
- Paroxysmal, difficult to control cough.
- Triggers:
- mechanical activation: singing, speaking, laughing, deep breaths;
- temperature stimuli: changes in air temperature and cold air;
- chemical stimuli: aerosols, aromas, odors;
- supine position;
- eating;
- physical exercise.
Cough hypersensitivity syndrome
Rice. 3. Scheme of development of GCKS. The proposed effect of vagus nerve damage occurs due to inflammation caused by exposure of the airways to infectious, physical, chemical and allergic irritants. The blue oval indicates the pathology (neuropathy) of hypersensitive cough syndrome.
Chung KF, McGarvey L, Mazzone S: Chronic cough as a neuropathic disorder. Lancet Respir Med 1:414–422.
In order to optimize the diagnosis of hCHS in England, a specialized questionnaire (Hull Cough Hypersensitivity Questionnaire) was developed, which includes 14 items with characteristic questions that are rated on a 5-point scale. Normally, the score ranges from 4 to 13. At higher values, there is a greater likelihood of HFCS. Unfortunately, this questionnaire has not been validated in Russia.
Please indicate how the following problems affected you over the past month, where 0 - did not affect you 5 - seriously affected you
| Hoarseness of voice | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| The need to cough to “clear” the throat | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Sensation of congestion in the back of the throat | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Regurgitation or vomiting when coughing | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Cough when bending forward | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Feeling of chest congestion and wheezing when coughing | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Heartburn, dyspepsia (if you take medication for this, rate it 5) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Tickling and feeling of a lump in the throat | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Cough while eating (during or immediately after eating) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Cough when eating certain foods | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Cough when you get out of bed in the morning | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Cough caused by singing or talking (such as on the phone) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Cough more during wakefulness rather than sleep | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Strange taste in mouth | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Total score___________ /70
Table 1. Hull Cough Hypersensitivity Questionnaire to assess the severity of HCH.
Bronchial asthma.
Bronchial asthma (BA), including the “classic” version with wheezing and shortness of breath, or the cough variant of bronchial asthma, where cough is the only or predominant symptom, are the second most common cause of chronic cough after the previously described upper respiratory tract cough syndrome.
Cough as a symptom is considered one of the diagnostic criteria for asthma. However, the clinical importance of correct interpretation of cough syndrome in patients with asthma is underestimated. The prevalence of prolonged, morning and productive cough is thought to increase in individuals with poor asthma control. It has been suggested that cough frequency may be used as a surrogate marker of asthma control, with asthma patients having significantly higher cough rates than those "partially controlled" or "controlled". Cough with a controlled course of asthma does not significantly bother the patient.
| 1. | Cough for at least 8 weeks without wheezing. Absence of wheezing on auscultation of the chest |
| 2. | No history of asthma symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath |
| 3. | No history of upper respiratory tract infection within the previous 8 weeks |
| 4. | Airway hyperresponsiveness† |
| 5. | Effective response to bronchodilator therapy‡ |
| 6. | No increase in cough sensitivity § |
| 7. | No changes on the x-ray |
Table 2. Diagnostic criteria for the cough variant of bronchial asthma. All criteria must be met.
†Reference values for airway hyperresponsiveness: Dmin <12.5 units, PC20-FEV1 <10 mg/dL with methacholine. ‡ Assess response to bronchodilation therapy using oral or inhaled β2-agonists. Use of an objective measure (eg, VAS, symptom rating scale) is preferred. § Cough sensitivity does not increase according to some reports and decreases after treatment according to other reports, but does not increase in the purely cough variant of bronchial asthma. The issue of cough sensitivity is currently under consideration.
| 1. | Cough for at least 8 weeks without wheezing. Absence of wheezing on auscultation of the chest |
| 2. | Effective response to bronchodilation therapy |
Table 3. Simplified diagnostic criteria for the cough variant of bronchial asthma. All criteria must be met.
Eosinophilia in sputum and peripheral blood and increased reactivity of the respiratory tract can serve as supporting data for diagnosing the cough variant of bronchial asthma.
Currently, along with the cough variant of bronchial asthma, the current causes of chronic cough include non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis, and atopic cough is also distinguished. A comparison of the symptoms characteristic of these diseases is given in Table. 4.
| Asthma | Cough variant of asthma | Atopic cough | Eosinophilic bronchitis | |
| Symptoms | Cough, shortness of breath, wheezing | Just a cough | Just a cough | Cough and phlegm |
| Atopy | Often | Often | Often | As in the population |
| Variable bronchial obstruction | + | ± | — | — |
| Bronischial hyperreactivity | + | + | — | — |
| Hyperreactivity to capsaicin | ± | ± | — | + |
| Effectiveness of bronchodilators | + | + | — | — |
| Efficiency of GKS | + | + | + | + |
| Response to H1 antagonists | ± | ± | — | — |
| Progression to asthma | not applicable | 30% | rarely | 10% |
| Sputum eosinophilia (>3%) | Often | Often | Often | Always |
| Submucosal eosinophilia | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ |
| Eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage | ↑ | ↑ | ↓ | ↑ |
| Infiltration of SMCs by mast cells | ↑ | ↓ | unknown | ↓ |
| Thickening of the basement membrane | ↑ | ↑ | unknown | ↑ |
Table 4. Symptoms of cough caused by eosinophilic respiratory diseases.
SMCs are smooth muscle cells of the respiratory tract. + = often ± = periodically — = absent
The following factors may indicate atopic predisposition:
- current or past allergic reactions, except bronchial asthma;
- eosinophilia in peripheral blood;
- increase in total IgE in blood serum;
- positive specific IgE result;
- positive result of an intradermal allergen test.
Supporting data:
- the presence of eosinophils in tracheobronchial biopsy samples;
- absence of eosinophils in BAL fluid;
- cough relief when taking H1-histamine blockers and/or steroids.
| 1. | Dry cough for at least 8 weeks without wheezing or shortness of breath |
| 2. | One or more factors indicating atopic predisposition† or the presence of eosinophilia in induced sputum |
| 3. | Irreversibility of bronchial obstruction (increase in FEV1 by less than 10% with an adequate dose of bronchodilator) |
| 4. | Normal airway reactivity |
| 5. | Increased cough sensitivity |
| 6. | Lack of response to bronchodilator therapy |
| 7. | No changes on the x-ray |
| 8. | Normal pulmonary function |
Table 5. Diagnostic criteria for atopic cough. All criteria must be met.
| 1. | Dry cough for at least 3 weeks without wheezing or shortness of breath |
| 2. | Lack of response to bronchodilator therapy |
| 3. | One or more factors indicating atopic predisposition† or the presence of eosinophilia in induced sputum |
| 4. | Cough relief with H1-blockers and/or steroids |
Table 6. Simplified diagnostic criteria for atopic cough. All criteria must be met.
Cough in patients with “classical” asthma is controlled in accordance with current clinical guidelines, the use of inhaled corticosteroids or combination drugs. For eosinophilic bronchitis, the use of ICS for 2-4 weeks, leukotriene receptor antagonists, is recommended.
| 1. | Chronic cough in patients without symptoms or objective evidence of variable obstruction |
| 2. | Normal airway hypersensitivity (provocation test with methacholine leads to a decrease in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) by 20% in 1 minute, PC 20 more than 16 mg/ml). |
| 3. | Sputum eosinophilia (acceptable upper cut-off level of more than 3% non-squamous sputum eosinophils). † |
†Beyond the 90th percentile for general patients (1.1%).
Table 7. Diagnostic criteria for non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis. All criteria must be met.
Cough in a dog caused by liquids and foreign bodies entering the respiratory tract
Foreign bodies enter the respiratory tract of dogs when the dog’s swallowing reflex is impaired. This happens with damage to the central nervous system (rabies in dogs), tonsillitis, or hasty eating of food. As a result of a foreign object entering the larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs, the dog develops an inflammatory process in these organs, as a result of which the dog coughs up blood. The dog's cough is paroxysmal in nature, accompanied by wheezing and suffocation. This type of cough in a dog usually occurs suddenly and is accompanied by gagging and vomiting.
Treatment. If a foreign body enters the respiratory tract, the dog owner must urgently contact a veterinary clinic, since the only effective remedy is endoscopic removal of the foreign object from the respiratory system. This operation is performed in a veterinary clinic under general anesthesia. In the case where the foreign body is large or stuck in the respiratory tract, it is necessary to resort to direct surgical intervention. Often, in order to save the dog’s life, it is necessary to perform an emergency tracheotomy followed by surgery to remove the foreign body.
First aid for colds
First, we must make a reservation that any ailment is a reason to consult a doctor. You cannot treat it yourself, as you can aggravate the situation and harm the dog.
What you can do on your own before contacting a specialist:
- Provide your dog with peace. Prepare a warm place for her and provide easy access to fresh water and food. You can cook meat broth.
- Ventilate the room. Beware of drafts!
- All discharge from the nose, eyes and ears should be removed with a cotton swab, and the mucous membrane should be treated with a chamomile solution at room temperature.
- You can place a heating pad next to your dog.
- Give her a light massage. It will improve blood circulation. And the animal will be able to feel your love and care.
- Avoid long walks and sudden temperature changes.
Cough caused by inflammation of the tonsils - sore throat
Dogs, like humans, have tonsils in the pharyngeal cavity, which are located on the sides of the pharynx. By their function, the tonsils are part of the lymphatic system. Their inflammation in a dog can be triggered by a number of diseases - runny nose (rhinitis) in dogs, stomatitis in dogs, infection from the external environment, and through the lymphatic system from internal organs. Inflammation of the tonsils can be caused by infectious tracheobronchitis, dental disease, or a foreign body in the pharynx.
When the tonsils are inflamed, the dog refuses to eat, coughs often, and the cough causes severe pain, which is why the dog tries with all his might to restrain his cough. A dog's cough due to a sore throat is dry. In order to relieve pain, dogs, like people with a sore throat, make constant swallowing movements. In the chronic course of the inflammatory process, the dog often vomits as a result of reflex irritation of the vomiting center. During a clinical study, we noted an increase in body temperature in some dogs. When examining the oral cavity, swollen, reddened tonsils, sometimes with purulent plugs, are visible. Dogs have an unpleasant odor coming from their mouth. With purulent tonsillitis, just like in humans, a dog can experience various complications. Catarrhal sore throat usually resolves in dogs without any complications.
Treatment. Treatment of sore throat begins with a thorough examination of the oral cavity. If there are foreign bodies (fish and chicken bones), they are removed and antibiotics, including cephalosporins, are prescribed to prevent the development of a secondary infection. Treat rhinitis and stomatitis. Tartar is removed using chemical solvents or ultrasonic destruction. For chronic tonsillitis of unknown origin, surgical removal of the tonsils is sometimes resorted to.
What to do if your Yorkshire Terrier is coughing for no reason
We have put together a number of recommendations for you that will help you cope with a physiological cough attack:
1. You need to provoke the dog to breathe through its mouth; to do this, simply pinch your Yorkie’s nose. 2. If a coughing attack occurs, give a light throat massage. This will help your muscles relax and breathe normally. 3. If the cough is provoked by any stress, calm the dog down with special medications. These medications must be selected strictly under the guidance of a veterinarian.
We hope that our tips will be useful to you and that you will be able to cope with your Yorkshire Terrier's coughing spells with ease. However, remember: the causes of these attacks can be serious pathologies and diseases. Therefore, be sure to show your pet to the veterinarian, and under no circumstances self-medicate, because this could cost the life of your beloved dog.
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Cough caused by a parasitic disease in a dog
If dogs, especially puppies, have been kept in unsanitary conditions for quite a long time, then there is a great danger of them having certain parasitic diseases in which the parasites affect the respiratory system (toxacara, hookworm). Infection of a dog occurs when an adult parasite or its larvae is swallowed; during their development, the larvae enter the stomach or intestines through the bloodstream, and then enter the lungs, where they develop into sexually mature individuals. As a result, the dog develops tracheobronchitis, which leads to coughing.
Recently, a new disease has been reported in dogs—dirofilariasis, which is transmitted through a mosquito bite. With this disease, as a result of the development of inflammatory processes in the lungs, the dog develops a dry or moderately wet cough. The dog's cough gets worse when he lies down to rest.
Treatment for parasitic cough should be aimed primarily at its cause - through deworming for a particular parasitic disease.
Puppy Cough: Sound Recognition
There are about five different types of coughing noises, and this type of cough helps veterinarians determine the diagnosis.
- Deep, dry, hacking cough, which may be worse with exercise or excitement.
- A wet cough that indicates fluid in the lungs.
- High, weak, vomiting cough followed by swallowing and licking of lips.
- A prolonged cough spasm that often occurs at night or while lying down.
- The puppy makes a sound, buzzing like a goose.
Dog cough caused by allergies
An allergic cough in a dog is usually provoked by an allergic reaction and is manifested in the dog by sneezing, blue discoloration of visible mucous membranes, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, and a skin rash. This allergic cough in dogs is usually seasonal when plants are in bloom and is also caused by canine food allergies, chemicals, repellents and tick sprays.
Treatment of this allergy must begin with eliminating the effect of the allergen on the dog’s body.
Cough caused by heart disease
In case of heart disease, coughing in a dog is one of the symptoms. When the mitral valve is damaged, blood stagnates in the pulmonary circulation, as a result, blood stagnates in the lungs, the volume of the heart increases, which puts pressure on the trachea, as a result of which the dog constantly coughs; when examined, the dog’s lips are blue.
In large breed dogs, coughing is one of the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy. This disease is characterized by enlargement of the ventricles of the heart, as a result of which the heart loses its ability to normally pump blood through the dog’s circulatory system. When examining such a dog, in addition to changes in the heart when palpating the pulse, we note its arrhythmia.
Symptoms that indicate a pathological cough
In order not to miss the onset of a serious illness, your Yorkie must be closely monitored.
With a pathological cough, the dog opens its mouth wide, and its body temperature changes.
The following symptoms will indicate the development of pathology to the owner:
- noisy dog breathing;
- during inhalation and exhalation, too active work of the muscles of the chest and peritoneum is observed - the animal’s stomach sinks strongly, and the chest expands significantly;
- when breathing, the Yorkie opens its mouth too wide;
- the dog may experience a rise in general temperature;
- when examining the mouth, the bluish color of the mucous surfaces and tongue is recorded;
- there is a change in the timbre of the voice (the Yorkie begins to bark differently).
If such symptoms develop, the dog must be urgently shown to a veterinarian.
General principles for treating cough in dogs
Dog owners need to immediately understand that coughing is not a disease, but a symptom of a particular disease in the animal. Without identifying the specific disease causing the cough, its correct and effective treatment is impossible. Prescribing symptomatic cough remedies cannot lead to anything good. Only a veterinarian at a veterinary clinic can prescribe the correct treatment for your dog, where you need to go with this problem. A veterinarian, after conducting a clinical examination of your dog and other additional research methods (blood tests, fluoroscopy, ultrasound), will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary course of treatment.
How to help York with a physiological cough attack
What to do if your Yorkie coughs just like that?
There are several recommendations that will help your dog:
- Pinch his nose. In this case, the dog will be forced to open its mouth and take a breath. In most cases, this technique helps the dog get rid of the cough.
- During an attack, lightly massage the animal's throat. This massage will help relax the tense tracheal muscles and allow the dog to breathe normally.
- If the cough is caused by stressful situations, then your pet can be given sedatives. The veterinarian should select the medications.
If your Yorkie coughs a lot, you can gently massage his throat.
If your Yorkie suddenly coughs, don’t panic. If he does not have additional pathological symptoms, then the cough will go away on its own without harming the dog. Plus, you know how to make it easier.
Preventing cough in dogs
Prevention of cough in a dog, as with all animal diseases, should be aimed at creating normal living conditions and adequate feeding. In order to prevent helminthic diseases, the dog must be treated for worms twice a year. Vaccinate your dog against infectious diseases that are accompanied by damage to the respiratory system. In order to prevent allergens, try to eliminate their impact on the dog’s body. For heart diseases, use heart medications. In order to prevent any disease, animal owners must periodically show it to a veterinarian at a veterinary clinic.
