Coughing in dogs

1 February 2023

Dry, greasy, acute, chronic, discreet, noisy, … There are as many names for a cough as there are causes. But, to begin with, is it really a cough ? Focus on this symptom that should not be taken lightly.

Why does my dog cough ?

When you hear your dog coughing, the first question you should probably ask yourself is: is he really coughing or is it something else ? People often confuse the sound of this defensive reflex to clear secretions from the airways – the trachea and bronchi – with attempts to vomit or regurgitate – to expel a foreign body, for example – with choking, or even with sneezing.

If it is indeed a cough, it is important to pay attention to several points :

its duration : is it a passing cough and not repeated ? has it lasted for more than 24 hours ?,
whether it is rather quiet or very loud,
whether or not it is accompanied by a loss of form and/or appetite, or by fever,
if it is accompanied by breathing difficulties or if your dog’s mucous membranes are bluish or purplish in colour (in this case, it is a vital emergency).

There are many causes of coughing :

Infectious – such as kennel cough for example -,
inflammatory – e.g. irritation from a foreign body – or allergic,
cardiovascular origin: heart failure, pulmonary thrombosis or pulmonary oedema generally induce coughing.
… and there are still many others: tracheal collapse for example, which is a collapse of the trachea and which more frequently concerns the Poodle, the Spitz, the Chihuahua, … as well as older dogs. There is also a tumour origin: our four-legged friends are unfortunately not spared from lung tumours.

Should I consult my vet ?

If your dog coughs once or twice and then goes on with his life as usual, the answer is no. However, if the coughing persists, or if the coughing is repeated, or if your dog is having difficulty breathing, or if you find that he is not in his usual state, it is best to consult your vet, and quite urgently if he is struggling to breathe.

Your vet will examine your dog, in order to locate the cause of the cough. It is possible, depending on his diagnostic hypotheses, that he will propose to carry out additional examinations: blood test, pulmonary radiography, echocardiography, endoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, …; or even to recommend a consultation with a specialist veterinarian.

The treatments are very varied and cause-dependent: antibiotics, bronchial mucolytics, anti-inflammatories, diuretics, surgery,…

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The importance of diet for skin and coat quality in dogs and cats

The skin is the body's largest organ, representing between 12% and 24% of the animal's weight, and its surface area in a dog weighing around thirty kilograms is close to one square meter. It's hardly surprising, then, that the quality and quantity of the dog's diet can have an impact on this organ, and in the event of a deficiency can lead to problems that go far beyond a simple visual appearance.

Key nutrients for healthy skin and coat

Among the macro-nutrients, proteins play a crucial role. They provide amino acids, including sulphur amino acids, which are essential for the structure of the skin and coat. These are the main components of collagen, which gives the skin its suppleness and resistance, and of keratin, which plays a part in the effectiveness of the skin barrier. Lipids are also important; they make up the bulk of cell membranes and, in the skin, contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the cutaneous barrier. Among lipids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help maintain healthy skin, modulate inflammatory mechanisms and promote a shiny, soft coat. Vitamins and minerals are also involved. Vitamin A is necessary for cell renewal, as is vitamin D, which also plays a part in the skin's natural defences. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, while B vitamins and biotin are essential co-factors in the synthesis of various skin elements such as ceramides, keratin and collagen. Among the minerals, zinc is involved in synthesis, protection against free radicals and immune defence mechanisms.

Disorders linked to inadequate nutrition

Inadequate or poor-quality food can lead to skin problems in our pets. A deficiency in essential fatty acids leads to dry, flaky skin, a dull coat and brittle hair. When it's the vitamins and minerals that are in short supply, synthesis is affected, the skin barrier can be less effective and the breeding ground for infections and inflammations that can lead to itching. On the other hand, these nutritional benefits can be used to compensate for individual sensitivities and improve the quality of the skin and coat in the event of dermatological disorders or diseases.

Conclusion

The quality of a dog's skin and the beauty of its coat are directly influenced by the quality of its diet. However, some dogs and cats have increased needs, and it is therefore necessary to provide them with greater quantities of useful nutrients. This is particularly true in the case of certain dermatological disorders, to help compensate for imbalances and accompany the medical treatments prescribed by your vet.