Cough in Dogs
Posted 05-01-2012 at 05:18 AM by Bodikus
Source: Veterinary supplies for Pets and Livestock.
Cough - a very important reflex mechanism, which consists in a sharp breath of air through the mouth.
Normally, he performs a protective function during inhalation of foreign objects, liquids, irritants such as smoke, but also serves to remove the (cough) of the products of inflammation, which accumulate in the airways in different diseases.
Cough is very specific, "convenient" for the physician sign, because the presence of cough points directly to the disease of the respiratory or cardiovascular system.
Sometimes the cough can occur in healthy animals when receiving food and water.
In all other cases, the cough will be a symptom of illness or injury requiring at times of emergency veterinary care.
The most common causes of cough:
- compression of the airway from the outside (the volume of injury and the formation of the neck and chest, increased heart chambers in cardiac diseases, foreign bodies in the chest)
- foreign objects or liquids into the lumen of the respiratory tract (broken bones or toys, bristle grass, vomit)
- inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, accompanied by the formation of phlegm
- congenital malformations, or breed of the structure of respiratory system (eg the collapse of the trachea with ornamental breeds)
- lung disease, such as pneumonia or pulmonary edema
- accumulation of fluid or air in the pleural cavity
Thus, the cough may be a symptom of more than fifty diseases.
If the cough is accompanied by shortness of breath, worsening of general condition, decreased or lack of appetite, seek medical attention is necessary as soon as possible.
Prior to the visit to the doctor provide the animal rest and fresh air. In some cases, relieve the cough may be an animal placed in a room humidifier, and in his absence - the position on the battery of the central heating a wet towel.
Should not be given any animal products - that you can smooth out the picture of the disease, making it difficult to diagnose. In addition, the injudicious use of drugs, usually causing harm to the patient!
The doctor to whom you refer, carefully gather medical history, asking you about the conditions and feeding the dogs, to restore your word picture of the origin and development of cough. </span>Then, your doctor will examine the animal examined by upper respiratory tract, listen to the trachea, bronchi and lungs, and most likely will take an X-ray and blood count.
If you suspect a particular disease may also require radiopaque study esophageal, laryngo-, tracheo-, broncho-and / or esophagoscopy (the study of the pharynx, trachea, bronchus or esophagus with an endoscope), culture of bronchial secretions on the microflora and biopsy of bronchus.
In some cases you may need specialist advice: a cardiologist, surgeon, oncologist, allergist.
As you can see, the diagnosis of diseases causing cough is quite time-consuming process and may take a long time. Therefore, to establish and address the underlying cause of cough, the doctor will prescribe your dog is symptomatic (supportive) treatment, in order to alleviate her condition.
Remember! Cough - a symptom, not a disease. So if you really want to help your pet, you must try all means to establish its true cause, to exactly the target, hit the disease.
Cough - a very important reflex mechanism, which consists in a sharp breath of air through the mouth.
Normally, he performs a protective function during inhalation of foreign objects, liquids, irritants such as smoke, but also serves to remove the (cough) of the products of inflammation, which accumulate in the airways in different diseases.
Cough is very specific, "convenient" for the physician sign, because the presence of cough points directly to the disease of the respiratory or cardiovascular system.
Sometimes the cough can occur in healthy animals when receiving food and water.
In all other cases, the cough will be a symptom of illness or injury requiring at times of emergency veterinary care.
The most common causes of cough:
- compression of the airway from the outside (the volume of injury and the formation of the neck and chest, increased heart chambers in cardiac diseases, foreign bodies in the chest)
- foreign objects or liquids into the lumen of the respiratory tract (broken bones or toys, bristle grass, vomit)
- inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, accompanied by the formation of phlegm
- congenital malformations, or breed of the structure of respiratory system (eg the collapse of the trachea with ornamental breeds)
- lung disease, such as pneumonia or pulmonary edema
- accumulation of fluid or air in the pleural cavity
Thus, the cough may be a symptom of more than fifty diseases.
If the cough is accompanied by shortness of breath, worsening of general condition, decreased or lack of appetite, seek medical attention is necessary as soon as possible.
Prior to the visit to the doctor provide the animal rest and fresh air. In some cases, relieve the cough may be an animal placed in a room humidifier, and in his absence - the position on the battery of the central heating a wet towel.
Should not be given any animal products - that you can smooth out the picture of the disease, making it difficult to diagnose. In addition, the injudicious use of drugs, usually causing harm to the patient!
The doctor to whom you refer, carefully gather medical history, asking you about the conditions and feeding the dogs, to restore your word picture of the origin and development of cough. </span>Then, your doctor will examine the animal examined by upper respiratory tract, listen to the trachea, bronchi and lungs, and most likely will take an X-ray and blood count.
If you suspect a particular disease may also require radiopaque study esophageal, laryngo-, tracheo-, broncho-and / or esophagoscopy (the study of the pharynx, trachea, bronchus or esophagus with an endoscope), culture of bronchial secretions on the microflora and biopsy of bronchus.
In some cases you may need specialist advice: a cardiologist, surgeon, oncologist, allergist.
As you can see, the diagnosis of diseases causing cough is quite time-consuming process and may take a long time. Therefore, to establish and address the underlying cause of cough, the doctor will prescribe your dog is symptomatic (supportive) treatment, in order to alleviate her condition.
Remember! Cough - a symptom, not a disease. So if you really want to help your pet, you must try all means to establish its true cause, to exactly the target, hit the disease.
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