As a vet, I almost never see a dog that’s coughing from allergies. But it’s a comment question from owners. Can allergies cause dog coughing? Or is it something else?
Can allergies cause my dog to cough and gag?
I have been brought up with a German shepherd, and even in my adulthood, I would never miss out on the benefits that come with the security and company that dogs provide. Can allergies cause dog coughing? In my experience with dogs, I observed that they do cough and gag, periodically. I realized that allergies can cause the dog to cough and gag.
So,
In this article, I share with you my experiences with dogs on coughing and gagging, and how allergies could be a big factor in this.
Is my dog coughing from allergies?
The term allergy refers to the hypersensitivity of the over-reactivity of the immune system to certain substances. A substance that causes an allergy is called an allergen. In this case, a substance that is otherwise not harmful to the dog reacts and causes harm.
Exposure to allergens over a prolonged amount of time leads to a sensitive immune system. Whereas the immune system guards the pet against diseases and infections, it acts differently when it has an allergy; the immune system could actually work against the immune system thus weakening the dog.
Allergies are as common in the different types of dog breeds, just as they are common among human beings. Dog experts state that one in every ten dogs will develop an allergy. Now that my favourite dog is the German shepherd, I noticed that its cases of allergies are higher than other types of dogs.
Common allergens in the environment include pollen, dust mites, skin cells, and mould spores. There are some types of medication in dogs that would cause an allergy. Allergens are classified in terms of the type of allergen, the path taken by the allergen to enter the body, the time taken for reaction, clinical forms, and the inherited allergen.
An allergic reaction has a visible effect on the skin, and the quality of the skin can deteriorate over time. However, there are other body parts that can be affected by an allergy. These include the digestive system, the eyes, and the ears.
Just like in human beings, it is very difficult to know which allergen causes the allergy in your dog. The only way of determining this is through trial and error as you try to detect the allergen. It is common for dogs to have an allergy in the first and the second year of age. In some dogs, an allergy could set in as soon as 6 months of age.
When a dog coughs and gags, it is a sign that there is a problem with its respiratory system that needs to be addressed. Signs and symptoms of an allergy include coughing, hair loss, sneezing, runny eyes, and itching. The itching is a pronounced symptom of an allergy, and it can be generalized or localized. Some dogs may scratch their skin so hard to an extent that wounds may be observed.
I do ensure that I monitor the eyes of my dog as frequently as I can. When a dog has an allergy, the eyes may appear red or irritated. Allergy of the eyes in dogs may manifest itself as allergic conjunctivitis. Allergies in the ears can lead to a secondary ear infection which can worsen with time. I noticed this after I saw my dog vigorously shaking the head and scratching each ear in turn. Some dogs may start smelling unpleasant after having an allergy, though this depends on the type of the dog.
Thus, many dogs which are suffering from a seasonal allergy are going to cough and to gag. In addition to that, they swallow excessively. This is because some of the allergens that find their way into the nose do find their way to the mouth. In addition to that, the nasal discharge drifts into the throat thereby causing irritation.
The environment itself (not necessarily food) can be a major source of allergens. These include perfumes, moulds, pollen, and dust. Other products whose contact could lead to allergies include grass, plants, and fibres. The problem with allergens is that some are part and parcel of the environment and avoiding them is nearly impossible. For instance, it is nearly impossible to ensure that your dog is not in contact with dust or grass.
During the time of Spring and fall, the level of pollen grains can be high, and this could contribute to allergies. Therefore, this is the time that you should put more effort to cushion your dog against the allergy.
What does an allergy cough sound like in a dog?
There are some sounds that the dog is going to experience if it has an allergy. When your dog has an allergy it could produce a horrible sound, like the goose honking in its sleep. In addition to that, your dog could gag. Gagging is a term that is used to describe a sound that is made before a cough. It looks like the dog wants to vomit, and at the same time, it wants to cough.
Thus, you should carefully inform your vet whether the dog is gagging, vomiting, or coughing. Whereas you may think that any of them will signify an allergy, you should leave this decision to the doctor, and he or she is going to advise you accordingly on the best course of action.
What can be mistaken for respiratory allergies in dogs?
There are four main categories on the causes of allergies among the dogs: congenital conditions, degenerative conditions, infectious agents, and inflammatory conditions. It is, therefore, possible that you can confuse other medical conditions in a dog for an allergy. Misdiagnosis of this nature can come at a great cost.
Asthma can affect any breed of a dog at any age. However, asthmatic conditions are common when the dog is young. An asthmatic dog manifests great difficulty in breathing, and due to this, it makes a wheezing sound. This can be very common during cold weather. An asthma attack is very common when there is a coughing outbreak.
Kennel cough is a common cause of coughing and sneezing in dogs. Unfortunately, the kennel cough is highly contagious, and if the pet is not attended to, it could become very ill. With kennel cough, the dog could honk like a goose. If you visit the daycare or the dog park, you can come back with a Kennel Cough. Thus, if one sees his or her dog coughing, it is worth evaluating of it is Kennel cough or allergies.
When a dog gets pneumonia, you could think that it is an allergy. Older dogs are particularly vulnerable to aspiration pneumonia and so is foreign body pneumonia. Pneumonia in dogs can be acute or chronic. Severe pneumonia is known to cause gagging.
It is not uncommon to find that your dog has swallowed something wrong. In such a case, this could lead to coughing as well as gagging. In such a case, there is no need to worry. This is because this will clear within a short time.
However, choking can be a matter of emergency. Chocking could also be caused if there are objects which are wrapped around the neck.
What can I give my dog for allergy cough?
There are a number of things that you can do if your dog has an allergy. To start with, you need to understand that when pets are outside, they are more vulnerable to allergens. Thus, upon coming back home, wiping out your dog will be very important in reducing the possibility of an allergy.
There are several home remedies for allergies in dogs. Honey is an ideal product for the cough and it can minimize it. It is also a very effective product in soothing the throat. You can prepare a bowl of warm water with a one-half tablespoon or even 1 tablespoon. If your dog has a serious cough, then you can prepare this three times a day.
If your dog is coughing constantly, you should think about administering a low dose of dextromethorphan.
You need to evaluate the kind of food that you give to your dog and evaluate if certain kinds of foods could be causing an allergy in your dog. Food allergies in dogs are mainly due to the source of protein, chicken or beef for instance. Some types of dogs may develop an intolerance for certain types of foods such as milk, eggs, soy, and wheat.
But the most prudent thing to do is that you should contact a veterinarian. The professional has the skills and experience required in order to make the right diagnosis and offer the appropriate remedy. Again, the vet is going to conduct a physical examination which will play a critical role in diagnosis and treatment. Whereas a physical examination alone could be enough, some vets may recommend further tests. This may include radiographs or blood work.
Cases of an allergy are straightforward to deal with and may not require a complex regimen. However, if you dog has an allergy, seek the intervention of the vet as soon as you can. During treatment, your entire family should faithfully follow the recommendations of the doc.
