Do dogs cough after barking? Well in some cases like when the dog barks excessively, we can say that the cough is a natural consequence, but otherwise, coughing after regular barking is not a normal behaviour seen in dogs. Cough is not the actual problem, but the duration and intensity are. Now, there are always some reasons behind when the dogs cough after barking although, they can differ from mild to severe. If the coughing is persistent, then visiting a vet would be great. But let us have a look at how cough is related to barking or what can be the other reasons behind it.
Why duration and Intensity of cough after barking are important to notice?
Not all coughs are created equal hence, when dogs cough after barking, it can either be acute or chronic. By observing that how the cough sounds, how much a dog is coughing, and what is the root cause behind it, identifies that either it is a general response to barking or anything serious that should be catered immediately. Let us discuss how these factors can vary with the condition.
When not to worry?
When the dog coughs after barking, it may be a natural response towards the force. Also, we know that the dog uses their nose and mouth for most of the things hence, any dirt or dust particle can get stuck in it. After barking, when the dirt particle moves inside, coughing can be a response to move that outside the dog’s throat. In such cases, there is nothing to worry about because this is a part of the canine’s life.
Acute cough after barking:
If the dog coughs occasionally after barking, this can be due to any mild abnormality or irritation in the air passageway. Even if the dog is coughing from time to time after barking, that refers to acute barking. There are no clinical signs shown by the dog also, they look lively and active. However, it is recommended to keep the dog away from anything that can result in excited or anxious behaviour also, do not let the dog exercise too much. Let the dog stay calm, and observe if the cough is getting any serious.
Chronic cough after barking:
If you observe frequent coughing in the dog after barking, then this is something to be taken seriously. The cough is usually dry giving a barking or hacking-like sound which a clear sign of something bad. Commonly, this condition is due to some underlying cause or medical illness. So, whenever you observe such behaviour, rush to the vet before it gets worse. Most of the diseases that can be the cause behind the coughing can be treated easily but, if left unaddressed, the cough can become life-threatening as well.
Types of dogs cough after barking:
Now when your dog coughs after barking, it is difficult for you to just look at it and predict the cause. Hence, the owner should observe the cough, and report it to the vet so that it can be easier for him to diagnose the cause. Following are the types of cough a dog can do after barking:
Gagging Cough:
When a high-pitched gagging sound is produced while coughing, then it refers to a gagging cough.
Wet cough:
When the dog’s cough is phlegm filled or moist, it is known as wet cough.
Honking Cough:
Just like a goose honk, when a honking sound is produced, the cough is known as honking cough.
Hacking Cough:
If you feel that the dog is trying to get something out of its throat by coughing and producing a dry hacking sound, it is the hacking cough.
What are the symptoms of chronic dogs cough after barking?
After monitoring the intensity and frequency of cough, now how can we identify that the cough is mild or dangerous. Well, if any of the following symptoms are present along with the cough after barking, then you shouldn’t delay your visit to the vet.
- Reverse sneezing
- Snorting
- Unusual breathing noises
- Eye or nasal discharge
- Occasional vomiting
- Gagging
- Snuffling
- Weight loss
- Retching
- Lethargy
- Temperature
- Exercise intolerance
What are the possible reasons behind the dogs coughing after barking?
As discussed, when the dog’s occasional coughs turn into frequent cough, there is always an underlying cause. These causes include heart problems, kennel cough, tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, cancer, and many more. Let us have a look at some of these conditions, and discuss how cough after barking is related to them.
- Heart problems:
Heart diseases are genetically transferred into dogs and can be one of the reasons behind coughing after the dog barks. In heart disease, when the heart valves or chambers get enlarged, the pressure is exerted on the airways which cause coughing. Also, when the dog barks, fluid moves backwards in the heat vessels due to CVD, hence, the dog coughs. The cough of a dog suffering from heart disease is usually silent and frequent.
- Kennel cough:
In your dog’s upper respiratory tract, inflammation of the trachea and bronchitis refers to infectious canine tracheobronchitis or the kennel cough. Among all the causes, this one is the most common. Mostly, it is common in the dogs who are going for training in group sessions. Although a dog coughs normally in this state as well, when he barks, the cough gets even worse.
- Chronic Bronchitis:
Chronic bronchitis in dogs refers to inflammation of the bronchi that lowers the functioning of the lungs and air passage way. If your dog coughs persistently after barking, it might be one of its cause. The cough will continue for almost 5 days, but the disease takes 1 to 2 months to recover.
- Tracheal collapse:
When the windpipe of the dog becomes floppy or soft, this condition is known as tracheal collapse. You will observe spasmodic, hacking, and dry cough in such dogs and after barking, the cough keeps getting worse. Toy dog breeds and small dogs are more prone to this condition also, if a dog is overweight, it can get serious.
- Pneumonia:
Pneumonia refers to inflammation of the dog’s lungs caused by some bacterial or viral infection. With low energy, poor appetite, and high fever, frequent coughing is the major sign of pneumonia. When the dog barks, and it is followed by a moist and soft cough, the reason behind the dogs coughing after barking is nothing else but pneumonia.
- Lung cancer:
If the dog barks and coughs, but there is some sort of phlegm or blood coming along the cough, that means the dog can be suffering from cancer. The cough isn’t moist, but the intensity and frequency show that there is something serious. This condition couldn’t be delayed for even a second hence, rush to the vet as soon as possible.
- Canine influenza:
Just like humans, when dogs suffer from flu, that condition is known as influenza. The phlegm causes cough in the dogs as they bark, the internal fluids move and lead to coughing. The cough can be either dry but usually, it is moist.
What to do when the dog coughs after barking?
When your dog coughs after barking, at first have a look at its throat to make sure it didn’t eat something inappropriate that is causing the cough. If the cough is mild and occasional, try giving something that will soothe its throat. Besides, if your dog starts coughing frequently, then you should rush immediately to the vet. But before that, it is important to monitor some important stuff that will help the vet to diagnose the underlying cause.
How does the Vet diagnose the cause behind coughing?
At first, to assess the exact condition of the dog, the vet will ask the owner a few questions including is your dog lethargic, has your dog been around some other diseased dog, are there any symptoms above cough, is the cough dry or moist, and for how long is the disease finished. Monitor all these things to answer all these questions to the vet. You can make a video of the dog to show the vet, so that he may have a clear idea of what type of cough he does after barking.
After physical examination, the vet will physically check the dog’s health for any sign and symptom of serious illness. Then he will get you to run some tests including an ECG, Blood pressure, echo-cardiography, An examination of fluid samples taken from the airways, Chest x-rays (CT scan, Fecal examination, Urinalysis, and Blood work. Basing on the results, the underlying cause of the cough after barking will be detected.
How dogs cough after barking is treated?
You can treat your dog at home, if the cough is mild, whereas, in case of frequent and severe coughing, the vet should recommend some medication. For acute cough or occasional cough, it is good to give your dog some honey. Mix a half tablespoon or 1 whole tablespoon of honey in lukewarm water, and let the dog have it. Not only this honey water will soothe the dog’s throat, but also is very beneficial for its health. Depending on how often the dog is coughing, try to give it to the dog 3 times a day.
Whereas, if the dog’s cough after barking is a consequence of any serious health condition, then we have to treat that properly. If the cough is due to a bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics is given to the dog. In case of viral infection, it recovers naturally by the body but we can let the dog do some helping activities including sufficient fluid intake eating a healthy diet, and exercise modification. If allergy is the cause, then it is better to separate the dog from the place where it is visible to allergens. Now, other health concerns in the dog are treated more specifically through medication, according to the disease.
How can I prevent Dogs from coughing after barking?
There are multiple ways to prevent coughing but the key is to prevent the dog from all the possible hazards that can cause severe or even mild illness. Some of these ways are:
- Keep all the small items out of the range of puppies so that they may not swallow them.
- Maintaining a healthy weight of the dog so that, risk of most of the disease gets lower.
- Take your dog or puppy to the vet for regular check-ups.
- Get your dog vaccinated completely to prevent the onset of disease, which prevents cough. Especially, the kennel cough vaccination will help a lot.
Bottom Line:
Dogs cough after barking is not a normal thing, but if it is happening again and again, there must be some reason behind it. In case of occasional coughing, try treating at home but if the cough gets persistent and loud, take your dog to the vet, and make sure you are providing everything to the dog to treat the cough. But, never delay in going to the vet when it is serious, because as you delay, the condition gets worse, and can become life-threatening as well. We hope that everything related to the dog’s cough after barking is clear to you.