What it is
The cough has not one cause but a group of them: airway viruses and bacteria that can act together. They spread through the air as dogs cough and sniff each other, and through shared bowls and toys. They damage the lining of the windpipe and bronchi, which becomes so sensitive that even a small trigger, such as pressure from a collar or a sudden breath in, sets off a coughing fit.
In a healthy adult dog the illness can be mild and pass within a few weeks. In puppies, older dogs and dogs with heart or breathing disease the infection can move deeper into the lungs. The dog then turns lethargic, stops eating, runs a fever or starts to breathe with difficulty.
While your dog is coughing, keep it away from other dogs and don't take it to boarding, training or a dog park. If you plan to leave your dog in boarding kennels, ask your vet whether it needs vaccination against airway infections.
Signs you may notice
- Dry, loud, honking cough
- Coughs as if something were stuck in its throat
- Brings up white foam after coughing
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
The typical sign is a sudden, dry, loud cough that sounds like a goose honking and gets worse when the dog is excited or pulls on the lead. After a coughing fit the dog may gag and bring up white foam, and it may have a runny nose and sneeze.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if the cough lasts more than a few days, and say before you arrive that the dog is coughing so it is not kept in the waiting room with other dogs. If a coughing dog turns lethargic, stops eating, runs a fever or struggles to breathe, or if the dog is a puppy, have it seen promptly.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.