Is your dog coughing and vomiting? What might these symptoms indicate? To answer these questions, this post will talk about some diseases in dogs that can lead to symptoms of coughing and vomiting. In addition, we will also talk about what should be done when dogs have these symptoms.
Dog cough and vomit
Coughing and vomiting can be signs that something is wrong with the dog’s health. Coughing is the body’s defense mechanism to expel unnatural particles from the dog’s body. Vomiting is a movement of the body to expel stomach contents, and this can happen due to several factors.
Main causes of coughing and vomiting in dogs:
- Obstructions;
- Kennel cough;
- Eat a lot and quickly;
- Tracheal collapse;
- Heart diseases;
- Gastritis;
- Food poisoning;
- Parasites.
Obstructions
Obstructions can occur due to the presence of a foreign body in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Foreign bodies are structures that should not be present in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. The main foreign bodies are objects, pieces of furniture and even trichobezoar. The act of dogs taking various objects to their mouths causes them to accidentally swallow these structures.
Trichobezoars, on the other hand, occur due to the habit of dogs to lick themselves, forming an accumulation of hair in the gastrointestinal tract. These foreign bodies can interfere with gastrointestinal movements resulting in vomiting and even vomiting with blood in dogs.
Dogs’ coughs are stimulated to try to eliminate the foreign body found in the dogs’ esophageal region.
Kennel cough
Kennel cough, also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is an infectious disease that affects the respiratory tract of dogs. It is an opportunistic disease that affects dogs with low immunity. Kennel cough dissipates easily in clusters of dogs like in hotels, day care and pet stores.
The main symptoms are cough, presence of nasal secretion and dogs may also have vomiting and diarrhea.
Eat a lot and quickly
Dogs that feed in large quantities and at very fast speeds may be predisposed to gastric torsion, which can lead to coughing and vomiting in dogs.
Tracheal collapse
The collapse of the trachea happens due to the lack of minerals in the tracheal cartilage, causing that when a dog goes to perform a physical activity, or is excited, or must breathe more heavily, there is a collapse of the trachea, leading to constant coughing and even vomiting.
Heart diseases
Some heart diseases can favor symptoms such as coughing, commonly nocturnal coughs, in dogs. In general, coughing occurs due to the increase in the size of the heart, or due to pulmonary edema that can stimulate the airways to the coughing mechanism. Constant coughing can lead to vomiting in dogs.
Gastritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach; it can happen for several causes including infections. Gastritis can be acute or chronic and when not treated properly can lead to gastric ulcers. Dogs with gastritis may vomit and cough.
Food poisoning
Consumption of spoiled or contaminated food can carry toxins into the gastrointestinal tract. These toxins can unbalance the microbiota leading to vomiting.
Intoxicated animals should see a veterinarian. In many cases, dogs can receive fluid therapy to reduce the effects of toxicants. Procedures such as gastric lavage can be performed in some situations.
Treatment includes replacement of fluids, gastrointestinal microbiota, and nutrients. Some dogs can become dehydrated quickly due to increased symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Emergency care by a veterinarian is required.
Parasites
Parasitic diarrhea can occur mainly due to parasites such as Giardia, Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis and Dipylidium sp. These parasites have different cycles, but they all affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal system leading to cough and vomiting.
What to do when dogs are coughing and vomiting?
When a dog is coughing and vomiting, pay attention to the other symptoms presented by the dog. If vomiting becomes frequent something is wrong and a veterinarian should be consulted.
Constant vomiting associated with coughing and other symptoms such as diarrhea, inappetence and lack of appetite, when not treated properly can lead to dehydration and even death of dogs.
The veterinarian can do a series of tests to diagnose the main cause of vomiting. Several diseases can lead to cough and vomiting in dogs, when treated the animal tends to be normal. Some dogs may have some diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastrointestinal allergies, requiring follow-up with a gastroenterologist veterinary doctor.
Conclusion
Coughing and vomiting can be symptoms of several diseases, so it is important that a veterinarian is consulted to prevent dogs from worsening their health status and ending up dying. Many of the diseases can be prevented so periodic consultations with the veterinarian are indicated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Dog cough and vomit
What is good for a dog to stop vomiting?
Dogs’ hydration and a proper diet can help. In cases of constant vomiting, the veterinarian should be consulted and only then can he diagnose and properly treat the dogs.
What are the main causes of vomiting in dogs?
What are the main causes of vomiting and coughing in dogs?
Vomiting and coughing in dogs can happen for several reasons such as:
- Forein body;
- Megaesophagus;
- Infectious diseases;
- Food allergies;
- Food poisoning;
- Degenerative diseases
- Tumors / Cancer.
What foods are toxic for dogs?
Common foods that are highly toxic to dogs are:
- Grapes and Raisins;
- Xylitol;
- Chocolate;
- Tea;
- Coffee;
- Onions;
- Garlic;
- Alcohol.
Reference
PARRA, T. C., BERNO, M. D., GUIMARÃES, A., ANDRADE, L. C., MOSQUINI, A. F., & MONTANHA, F. P. (2012). Ingestão de corpo estranho em cães–Relato de Caso Foreign body ingestion in dogs–Case Report. Revista Científica Eletrônica de Medicina Veterinária, Garça, 18.
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