A dog's cough could be mild kennel cough (a dry, honking sound) but might be something more serious like pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, allergies, or even an inhaled object, especially if you see lethargy, fever, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, or nasal discharge, all warranting a vet visit. While kennel cough often resolves with rest, serious signs mean immediate veterinary care for proper diagnosis (like X-rays) and treatment to rule out or manage severe conditions.

What can cause a dog to cough besides kennel cough?

Reasons why your dog may be coughing continuously:

• Dry or sore throat.
• Obstruction.
• Kennel cough.
• Lung problems.
• Tracheal collapse.
• Heart disease.
• Distemper.
• Heartworms.

Why is my dog coughing like something is stuck in his throat but not kennel cough?

Your dog's cough, feeling like something's stuck but not kennel cough, often points to Tracheal Collapse, common in small breeds, or Heart Disease, causing fluid buildup; other culprits include Foreign Objects, lungworm, allergies, or other respiratory infections like canine influenza, requiring prompt vet attention for diagnosis and treatment.

How do you rule out kennel cough?

Swabs can be taken to determine the exact virus or bacteria causing kennel cough – although this isn't always useful for treatment. If there are suspected complications, radiographs can be used to assess a dog's condition. If your dog is bright, perky, eating well and playful, you may not need to visit the vet.

What are the red flags for kennel cough?

The primary sign to look out for is a deep hacking cough, which can sometimes lead to retching, sneezing, snorting, gagging or vomiting. In some cases, you may only notice your dog starting to cough after excitement or exercise and you may also notice a discharge coming from your dog's eyes or nose.

How to Diagnose KENNEL COUGH at HOME

What are signs of pneumonia in dogs?

Signs of pneumonia include lethargy, loss of appetite, and a deep cough. Labored breathing, “blowing” of the lips, and bluish mucous membranes may be evident, especially after exercise. Body temperature is moderately increased.

What dog breeds are prone to coughing?

Overview. Tracheal collapse is a progressive disease of the trachea (windpipe) that causes chronic coughing. This is common in toy and small breed dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians and Toy Poodles that are middle-aged or older.

How to tell if it's kennel cough or something else?

The main symptom is a non-productive persistent dry cough that can sound somewhat like a goose honk or as if your pup has something stuck in their throat. Other signs of kennel cough in dogs can include runny nose, sneezing, lack of energy, decreased appetite and mild fever.

Why is my dog coughing like something is stuck in his throat but acting normal?

Oftentimes dogs will just cough because something is tickling or hurting their throat. They could have possibly inhaled a bit of water, or maybe some smoke or a scent is bothering them. This is most likely the cause of the occasional cough from a dog, and it is nothing for dog owners to worry about most of the time.

What does a collapsed trachea in a dog sound like?

As a result, many dogs with tracheal collapse will make a dry, goose-like honking cough sound. Tracheal collapse in dogs is often mild. You may notice some clinical signs, but the dog is able to live a normal life.

How did my dog get kennel cough at home?

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that spreads through direct and indirect contact such as licking, nuzzling, or sharing of contaminated objects. It can also be spread through the air as a result of coughing or sneezing.

What sounds like kennel cough but isn't?

Reverse Sneeze

Small dogs and flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds may make cough-like or choking sounds caused by what is termed reversed sneezing. In a reverse sneeze, air is inhaled rapidly and noisily through the nose as compared to a regular sneeze where air is expelled through the nose.

What breeds are prone to tracheal collapse?

Yes, tracheal collapse often affects Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Toy Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers.

How does a vet confirm kennel cough?

Kennel cough in dogs is generally not considered a medical emergency—many cases may resolve without veterinary intervention. They may also recommend a nasal swab to send off for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing or a culture to determine the underlying cause of your dog's infectious respiratory disease.

What is the rapid test for kennel cough?

Bordetella bronchiseptica Real-time PCR Test Kit can be used to detect bordetella bronchiseptica nucleic acid in canine nasopharyngeal and throat swabs, which is rapid and accurate.

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