Accepted Answer

If your dog is coughing a lot then your dog might have either kennel cough

www.marvistavet.com/html/body_kennel_cough.html

 

or canine influenza

www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_influenza.html

Both of these are very easily picked up from another dog.

 

You can see if some Robitussin DM will help the dog breathe better and control any cough or sneezing or runny nose. Read here about cautions and dose info

http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/dextromethorphan-robitussin-dm/page1.aspx

 

You can see and hear a dog with kennel cough here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amGKQX9zdug&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN3RpoU0qXw

 

If you see a colored discharge from nose or eyes, if your dog coughs stuff up, seems lethargic, has any real trouble with breathing, or goes off eating, see your vet as your pet may have a secondary bacterial infection that will need antibiotics or other meds.

 

If this is an elderly dog then coughing can be a sign of a heart issue as those can build up fluids on the chest leading to coughing.

 

If your dog is not a young puppy and has not been on heartworm prevention a heartworm infection can cause this sort of coughing.

 

Some breeds of dogs have problems with their trachea which you can read about here

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_tracheal_collapse.html

and that also can cause coughing.

 

If this is an unvaccinated puppy the symptomes you see may be from distemper virus too. You can read about that here

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_distemper.html

Hope this helps you!

 

 

 

Expert:	NancyH
Pos. Feedback:	99.5 %
Accepts:
Answered:	7/3/2009

Dog Expert:Rescue, Train,Breed,Care

30+ yrs dog home vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior&training, responsible show breeding, genetics