Coughing in Dogs & Cats Treated in Traverse City, MI
An occasional cough is normal, but a cough that lingers, worsens, or comes with other symptoms deserves a closer look. At Omnivet in Traverse City, MI, our team listens carefully, uses in-house imaging to see what is happening in the airways and lungs, and provides treatment to help your pet breathe comfortably again.
Common Causes of Coughing
- Canine infectious respiratory disease (kennel cough), often after boarding, grooming, or dog parks
- Pneumonia from bacterial infection or inhaled food or vomit
- Collapsing trachea in small breed dogs, often causing a honking cough
- Heart disease, which can lead to fluid in or around the lungs
- Asthma in cats and chronic bronchitis in dogs
- Allergies and airway irritation from smoke or dust
- Inhaled foreign material such as grass awns
- Heartworm and lungworm disease
- Lung tumors in older pets
Cats rarely cough from hairballs. A cat that crouches low and hacks repeatedly may have asthma and should be examined.
When Coughing Is an Emergency
Call Omnivet at (231) 244-4860 and come in immediately if your pet is breathing fast or with effort at rest, has blue, gray, or pale gums, is coughing up blood, collapses, or is breathing with an open mouth, especially a cat. These pets may need oxygen and emergency stabilization. Visit our emergency care page for more.
How We Diagnose a Cough
Your veterinarian will listen to your pet’s heart and lungs, check for fever, and ask about recent exposure to other animals. Digital chest X-rays are one of our most important tools, helping us look for pneumonia, heart enlargement, fluid, airway changes, and masses. In-house bloodwork and heartworm testing may also be recommended. In some cases, endoscopy allows us to examine the airways directly and collect samples.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the cause and may include cough suppressants, antibiotics for bacterial infections, anti-inflammatory medications, bronchodilators for asthma, heart medications, or oxygen therapy for pets struggling to breathe. Rest and limited exercise help most coughing pets recover. Pets with chronic respiratory or heart conditions may benefit from our internal medicine service.
Tips While Your Pet Recovers
Use a harness instead of a collar to reduce pressure on the trachea, keep your pet away from smoke and strong fumes, use a humidifier if recommended, and keep coughing dogs away from other dogs until your veterinarian says they are no longer contagious. Our urgent care, same-day, and walk-in appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm and Saturday from 10am to 6pm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coughing in Pets
When should I worry about my dog’s cough?
See a veterinarian if the cough lasts more than a few days, is getting worse, or comes with fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or breathing changes.
Is kennel cough contagious?
Yes. Kennel cough spreads easily between dogs. Keep your dog away from other dogs until your veterinarian says it is safe.
Why is my cat coughing?
Coughing in cats is often caused by asthma, not hairballs. Other causes include infections, heartworm, and heart disease.
Will my pet need X-rays for a cough?
Chest X-rays are often recommended to check for pneumonia, heart disease, and airway changes.
Can heart disease cause coughing?
Yes. Heart disease can cause fluid to build up in the lungs or enlarge the heart enough to press on the airways.
When is coughing an emergency?
Labored breathing, blue or pale gums, coughing up blood, collapse, or open-mouth breathing in cats need immediate care. Call (231) 244-4860.
Can I give my pet human cough medicine?
No. Many human cough medicines contain ingredients that are toxic to pets. Ask our team for safe options.