When you bring a new puppy home, there may be airborne or environmental irritants that can cause a puppy cough. Usually, the source of the problem can be identified and resolved with a little detective work. Be sure your puppy is not suffering from kennel cough (a common canine respiratory infection) or a severe parasite infection.
Coughing Danger Signs
- Coughing combined with excessive vomiting or diarrhea
- Coughing up blood
- Coughing combined with fever, weakness or extreme lethargy
Common Cough-Causing Irritants
Often, a puppy cough is caused by an environmental stimulant. Your puppy may not be allergic; she may simply be unused to a particular material floating around your house. As your puppy acclimates, the cough should subside. Your puppy may cough or gag from new carpet smells, cleaning product fumes, cat dander or household dust.
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Cigarette smoke can cause a chronic cough in puppies and dogs. Second-hand smoke irritates the lungs and bronchial passages of dogs. Smoking in a confined area such as a car or truck-even if the windows are open-can permanently damage your dog's lungs.
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Is your puppy eating grass? Eating grass can sometimes scratch or irritate your puppy's throat, causing a cough. Grass can also cause your puppy to retch or vomit. Grass eating is not generally considered a problem, but try to limit this behavior in young puppies.
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Being separated from her mother and littermates can be stressful for a small puppy. Stress causes a variety of symptoms including vomiting. The retching that precedes vomiting can sometimes be mistaken for coughing. As your puppy acclimates, the stress will subside.
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Dust is a common household irritant. Dry conditions may exacerbate the condition. Keep your new puppy's living quarters as clean and dust-free as possible and humidify the air if it's excessively dry.
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Fungal infections can cause coughing. Do not house your puppy in an area that housed chickens or other poultry, and avoid areas that are prone to moisture problems.
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Toy breeds tend to suffer from more respiratory problems than larger dogs. Take particular care with toy breed-they should be kept warm and their living quarters should be as clean and draft-free as possible to stave off infections that can lead to pneumonia.
If your puppy's cough is chronic, or accompanied by any warning signs of serious illness, consult your veterinarian. If there is an underlying illness that is causing her respiratory difficulties, professional medical treatment may be necessary.