Coughing and catarrhal respiratory secretions are a defense mechanism of the body in the presence of pathogens, allergens, or foreign bodies. As in humans, there is evidence of a higher incidence of respiratory disease in dogs and cats in winter, when inhaled cold air creates stressful conditions on local airway defense mechanisms. It is important to remember, however, that cough is a symptom that can occur all year round, due to numerous reasons.

What is a cough

Coughing is a physiological mechanism for the elimination of foreign elements from the airways by a high velocity jet of air that escapes through the mouth and, to a lesser extent, through the nostrils. Coughing can be stimulated by receptors found along the walls of the entire respiratory tract, starting in the larynx and ending in the lungs.

When the cough is accompanied by the presence of catarrhal secretions, it is usually referred to as an oily cough. When such secretions are absent, it is called a dry cough.

Causes of coughing

The most frequent causes of cough in dogs and cats are:

• Virus
• Bacteria
• Associations of viruses and bacteria as in “kennel cough” (Bordetella bronchiseptica together with Adenovirus or Parainfluenza virus)
• Environmental allergens (dust, pollen, chemicals such as soaps used for household cleaning)
• Foreign bodies

What to do in case of a cough?

The first weapon at the owner’s disposal to ward off the onset of coughing is prevention: it is important to perform the vaccinations recommended by the veterinarian, as well as to avoid contact of unvaccinated puppies with adult dogs.

At the onset of a cough, it is good to start administering products that act on the symptom such as syrups or anti-inflammatories right away. Only in extreme cases are antibiotics or drugs that can sedate the cough centrally used.

Dr. Valentina Bregoli, Veterinary Physician