When we humans cough, it is usually to clear our throats. However, dogs do not need to cough or hack. So, why is coughing and hacking in Chihuahuas a thing?
Some coughing is regular in dogs, especially if it can be attributed to eating or drinking too quickly. But, excessive coughing and hacking for no obvious reason can signify a potentially dangerous disease. Several conditions can cause your dog to cough or hack:
- Kennel cough
- Tracheal collapse
- Canine distemper
- Heart disease
- Fungal infections
- Other possible causes (allergies, internal parasites, coccidiosis, auto-immune illness)
Why Coughing and Hacking in Chihuahuas is a Thing
Kennel Cough
Say your dog has been boarded lately or somehow comes in contact with many dogs. If he has developed a deep, hacking cough that gets worse with exertion, your dog may have a kennel cough. Caused by the highly contagious Bordetella infection, kennel cough is associated with severe coughing and inflammation. Any age or breed of dog can become sick with bordetella.
Tracheal Collapse
Listen to the sound of your dog’s cough. If your older or overweight dog develops a cough that sounds more like a honking sound, it is possible your dog is experiencing a collapsed trachea. Other signs you may notice are gagging while eating or drinking, low activity tolerance, and respiratory distress episodes. In addition to elderly and overweight dogs, small-breed dogs have a higher incidence of tracheal collapse.
Canine Distemper
Dogs do not normally show signs of a common cold the way humans do if you notice your dog exhibiting lethargy, yellow, mucous discharge from her eyes and nose, and a dry cough, it is possible your dog is experiencing canine distemper.
Heart Disease
Congestive heart failure is present when the heart becomes enlarged and obstructs airways, thus producing cough and/or gagging episodes in your dog. Heartworms can also cause a dog to cough excessively.
Pericardial effusion is the buildup of fluid around the heart, also causing your dog to produce a wet cough or a gagging sound. Notice if this cough occurs mainly at night or when your dog is lying down as this is a sign of fluid gathering around the heart. Great Danes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and all older dogs are at risk for heart disease.
Fungal Infections
Do you happen to live on or near a farm? Do you happen to have chickens or live near chickens? Has your dog developed a wet cough that almost sounds like a gurgling sound? Then it is highly possible your dog could have inhaled some fungal spores or animal droppings and is now coughing.
Dogs can also inhale fungal spores after spending time in damp areas. Fungal infections can lead to pneumonia. So, if you suspect this is the problem, get your dog to the vet immediately.
Other Causes
Always be sure your dog has not swallowed a foreign object that might be stuck in his throat. A foreign entity does not have to choke the dog but it can be a huge irritation. Allergies can make your pup as miserable as they make humans.
Pollen, mold, household dust, and insect mites can have much the same effect as they have on humans. If allergies are plaguing your pup, you will also notice itchiness in him. Although it is very rare, dogs can develop tuberculosis.
You may notice a productive cough accompanied by bloody phlegm. Coccidiosis is another disease that is characterized by a wet, productive cough. Because these symptoms can signal mild and more severe diseases, your vet must diagnose the cause of the cough. Any age or breed of dog can suffer from allergies, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, or other auto-immune illnesses.
What to do to Fix Coughing and Hacking in Chihuahuas
Because the disease causing the coughing or hacking in your dog could be serious, it is best to see a vet so that he can do a physical exam and some lab tests to confirm the diagnosis. Kennel cough is generally not serious in otherwise healthy dogs.
However, if your dog is very young or a toy breed, untreated kennel cough can lead to pneumonia and should be treated by a vet. The distinctive goose honk of tracheal collapse must be professionally treated. Medication is most likely necessary, and surgery may also be possible. Distemper is usually prevalent in dogs who have not been vaccinated. Often, distemper develops in dogs receiving all their shots (when immunity from the pup’s mom is decreasing, and vaccines have not provided full immunization.)
Distemper can be fatal, especially in younger dogs. Heart disease is severe; however, if it is caught early, the prognosis can be positive. Your vet should treat any suspicion of heart disease. Fungal diseases can lead to pneumonia, so they should be diagnosed and treated by a vet, as should any persistent cough.
Prevention of Coughing and Hacking in Chihuahuas
Always keep your dog’s vaccinations up to date, as they protect against canine distemper and the bordetella virus that leads to kennel cough. Do not kennel your dog in dirty cages, old chicken coops, or near pigeons as they might inhale the bird droppings and develop a fungal infection. Maintain your dog’s chew toys once they start to get worn, throw them out so your dog won’t accidentally swallow part of a toy.
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Source: wagwalking
