There are various reasons why pets cough. These may include infections caused by bacteria, virus, or parasite, inflammation of the air passages due to allergies, heart disease, or inborn anatomic anomalies of the airways. Dust, pollen, smoke, and other irritants can also trigger the coughing reflex in dogs and cats. Although in some cases, coughing may be self-limiting, there are coughing bouts that become severe or chronic and requires prompt veterinary attention. Your veterinarian may choose to perform stool testing to check for parasites, chest x-rays, heartworm test, and blood work. Some health issues in which coughing is a prominent symptom include kennel cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, heart disease, and heart worms.
Kennel cough is extremely contagious and is most commonly observed when pets spend time in crowded places such as in boarding kennels, dog parks, grooming parlors, dog shows, etc. Talk to your vet Temecula, CA about the best way to protect your pet against kennel cough.
