Cough is a reflex action transmitted by tracheal nerve endings in response to pressure or chemical stimuli. The cough receptors have a large number of nerve endings in the interlaryngeal and bronchi. The function of cough is to help remove material from the trachea, and it is part of the natural mechanical defense. Cough is more likely to be caused by minor illnesses.
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Causes of Dog Coughing
Cough is a normal protective reflex, the completion of which requires the coordination of many nerves and muscles. Its function is to remove foreign bodies in the respiratory tract, especially in the trachea and the main bronchus. "However, a persistent, severe cough, especially a dry cough, may lead to more serious consequences, including worsening inflammation of the airway mucosa by the spread of infection, emphysema due to alveolar overexpansion, airway rupture, pneumothorax, and severe physical exhaustion in dogs due to prolonged coughing." The causes of cough mainly include upper respiratory tract disease, lower respiratory tract disease and cardiovascular disease.Upper Respiratory tract diseases
Abnormalities in the nasopharynx: rhinitis, sinusitis, foreign bodies or tumors in the nasopharynx, tonsillitis and tonsillar tumors, etc.
Abnormalities of the larynx: inflammation, foreign body, trauma and tumor, etc.
"Abnormalities of the trachea: inflammation (inhalation of irritant substances or smoke), viral or bacterial infection, foreign bodies, tumors, or tracheal collapse."
Lower Respiratory tract diseases
Tracheal abnormalities: inflammation, viral or bacterial infection, parasitic infection, allergy, tumor or foreign body, etc.
Lung abnormalities: inflammation, viral or bacterial infection, mycotic infection, aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary edema, tumor and other causes.
Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiac filariasis, pulmonary vascular obstruction or embolism, congestive heart disease and tumor.
Other Reasons
Abnormalities of the esophagus: inflammation, foreign body or tumor, etc.
Pleural abnormalities: inflammation, bacterial or mold infection, hernia and tumor.
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Symptoms of Dog Coughing
Cough is more common in middle-aged and elderly dogs with left atrial and left ventricular congestive heart disease and tracheal collapse. Usually the dog is nervous, excited or intense exercise, because the throat, trachea and bronchus are stimulated, there will be a mild but continuous cough phenomenon. In the cough of a dog with a collapsed trachea, it may even sound like a goose. Cough was divided into dry cough and wet cough.Diagnostic Criteria for Kennel Cough
(1) Clinical examination auscultation and percussion.(2) X-ray examination.
(3) Bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial cells and bacterial culture by bronchoscopy.
(4) Blood and serum biochemical tests.
(5) Blood gas analysis.
(6) Stool examination.
(7) Additional investigation of electrocardiogram, echocardiography, chest ultrasound examination.