If your dog sounds like he has a hairball, it can be concerning. That persistent, hacking cough or gagging sound could be a sign of various underlying conditions ranging from mild to severe. While dogs don’t get hairballs like cats do, the symptoms of a cough-like sound, hacking, or gagging can indicate respiratory issues, heart problems, infections, or even foreign material lodged in the throat. Understanding the causes behind this issue is crucial for ensuring your dog’s health and well-being.
My Dog Sounds Like He Has a Hairball. Why?
Kennel Cough and Respiratory Infections
A frequent cause of hacking sounds in dogs is kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection caused by bacteria and viruses. Dogs with kennel cough often have a dry cough that worsens with excitement or exercise. This cough in dogs can sound like honking or gagging, leading many owners to mistake it for a hairball.
Symptoms of kennel cough include nasal discharge, sneezing, lethargy, and a loss of appetite. Mild cases may resolve on their own within a few weeks, but in more severe cases, it can lead to secondary infections such as pneumonia. A complicated kennel cough may require proper treatment, including antibiotics, cough suppressants, and sometimes nebulization to soothe the airway.
Kennel cough spreads easily in places where dogs gather, such as dog parks, kennels, and grooming salons. Preventative measures include vaccination against canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica, regular sanitization of shared dog spaces, and limiting exposure to infected dogs. Using Under the Weather’s Bland Diet can also help support your dog’s immune system during recovery.
Chronic Bronchitis and Airway Inflammation
Another reason your dog may have a persistent cough is chronic bronchitis in dogs. This condition leads to chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, making breathing difficult. Dogs suffering from bronchitis may have a hacking cough that produces mucus (productive cough), often triggered by cigarette smoke, allergens, or infections. Other symptoms can include wheezing, excessive panting, and an increased effort to breathe, especially after exercise or excitement.
Chronic bronchitis is often diagnosed through chest X-rays, bronchoscopy, or cytology tests to examine mucus secretions. While the condition is not curable, it can be managed with medications such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and cough suppressants. Keeping your home free from airborne irritants, such as smoke, dust, and aerosol sprays, can also help reduce symptoms. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are essential to monitor disease progression and adjust treatment as needed. Providing a comfortable environment with good air quality and humidity control can greatly improve your dog’s quality of life.
Heart Disease and Fluid Buildup
Heart disease in dogs, particularly congestive heart failure, can cause coughing due to fluid buildup in the lungs. This type of cough in dogs often worsens when lying down or after exercise. Additional signs include exercise intolerance, poorer endurance, depressed pulse, and even weight loss. Other signs of heart disease can include a distended abdomen due to fluid accumulation, fainting episodes, and difficulty breathing.
A veterinarian can diagnose heart disease through imaging tests such as X-rays, echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms (ECGs) to assess heart function. Treatment often includes medications like diuretics to reduce fluid buildup, ACE inhibitors to manage blood pressure, and beta-blockers to regulate heart function. Heart murmurs detected during a physical exam may indicate an underlying cardiac issue that requires long-term management. In severe cases, surgical intervention or lifelong medication may be required. Weight management, a heart-healthy diet, and minimizing stress can also help improve your dog’s overall heart health and quality of life.
Parasites and Infections
Certain parasite infections, such as heartworm disease, can lead to a chronic cough in dogs. Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes and affects the heart and lungs, leading to severe conditions like lung damage and respiratory distress. Symptoms of heartworm disease may include lethargy, reluctance to exercise, weight loss, and, in advanced cases, collapse due to cardiovascular failure.
Other parasitic infections affecting the gastrointestinal tract can also trigger cough-like sounds due to irritation and inflammation. Intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, can migrate to the lungs, causing a coughing response as the body attempts to expel them. Infections caused by lungworms can also lead to respiratory distress and mucus-filled coughs.
Diagnosis of parasitic infections typically involves blood tests, fecal examinations, and imaging studies. Heart worm prevention medications are essential for protecting your dog from this potentially life-threatening condition. If a parasite infection is suspected, treatment may involve deworming medications, antiparasitic drugs, and supportive care. Regular veterinary check-ups and preventive medications can significantly reduce the risk of parasite-related illnesses in dogs.
Less Common But Serious Conditions
Lung Cancer and Tumors
Though rare, lung cancer can cause a persistent cough in dogs. This condition is often accompanied by weight loss, lack of appetite, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. Lung cancer in dogs can be primary (originating in the lungs) or metastatic (spreading from other parts of the body). Primary lung tumors are uncommon but tend to be aggressive, while metastatic lung cancer often results from cancers in the mammary glands, bones, or skin.
Symptoms may also include excessive panting, coughing up blood, and swelling in the limbs. Diagnosis involves imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and biopsies to confirm malignancy. Treatment options depend on the severity and type of tumor but may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. While prognosis varies, early detection and treatment can improve quality of life and longevity. Dogs with advanced cases may require palliative care to manage pain and respiratory distress.
Fungal and Bacterial Infections
Inhaled fungal infections or bacterial diseases affecting the lungs can result in coughing. These infections are often caused by exposure to contaminated soil, decaying organic matter, or airborne fungal spores. Common fungal infections include blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, and aspergillosis, which can cause chronic coughing, weight loss, fever, and breathing difficulties.
Bacterial respiratory infections, such as bacterial pneumonia, often develop due to underlying conditions like immune suppression, viral infections, or aspiration of food or liquid into the lungs. Symptoms may include productive coughs, fever, lethargy, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing. Diagnosis requires blood tests, X-rays, and culture tests. Proper treatment may involve antifungal or antibiotic medications, oxygen therapy, and hospitalization in severe cases. Prevention includes minimizing exposure to contaminated environments and maintaining strong immune systems through balanced nutrition and regular veterinary care.
Allergies and Irritants
Dogs exposed to environmental irritants like cigarette smoke, pollen, dust, mold, and household chemicals may develop allergic conditions leading to airway inflammation. Seasonal allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis, can cause respiratory distress, sneezing, watery eyes, and chronic coughing.
Certain dogs may also develop asthma-like signs, including wheezing, shortness of breath, excessive panting, and difficulty breathing. Identifying and eliminating triggers, such as using air purifiers, hypoallergenic bedding, and maintaining clean living spaces, can significantly reduce symptoms.
Treatment often involves antihistamines, corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and immunotherapy injections in severe cases. Nasal mist can help soothe irritated airways, while dietary adjustments and supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids may support overall respiratory health. If symptoms persist, a veterinary allergist may recommend allergy testing and targeted therapies for long-term relief.
What You Can Do: Diagnosing and Treating Your Dog’s Cough
Consult a Veterinarian for a Physical Exam
If your dog’s cough is persistent or worsening, a veterinarian can perform a physical exam to assess their respiratory tract, heart issues, and overall health. Diagnostic tests such as X-rays, blood work, or ultrasounds may be necessary to pinpoint the cause.
At-Home Care and Management
While some cases of coughing may resolve on their own, others require intervention. Ensuring your dog’s overall health and comfort can play a vital role in reducing symptoms and preventing worsening conditions. Ways to help your dog include:
· Keeping the environment clean to reduce exposure to irritants such as dust, smoke, and pollen. Using air purifiers and vacuuming regularly can help minimize airborne allergens that may aggravate your dog's respiratory system.
· Weight management to reduce strain on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Dogs that are overweight may have increased difficulty breathing, which can exacerbate coughing and other respiratory issues. Feeding a balanced diet and providing moderate exercise appropriate for your dog's condition is essential.
· Proper hydration is crucial, as it helps thin mucus in the airways, making it easier for your dog to clear congestion. Providing fresh water at all times and incorporating moisture-rich foods into their diet can aid respiratory health.
· Nutritional support is essential for a dog with chronic cough or respiratory conditions. Using Under the Weather products like their Bland Diet can help with digestive issues that may contribute to coughing. Their Ready Cal High Cal Supplement is beneficial for dogs that have lost weight due to illness and need extra nutritional support to recover and maintain their immune system.
· Minimizing stress and anxiety, as excitement and agitation can trigger coughing fits, especially in conditions like tracheal collapse or chronic bronchitis. Providing a calm and quiet environment, avoiding exposure to loud noises, and using stress-relief supplements can help your dog remain relaxed.
When to Seek Emergency Care
If your dog shows signs of excruciating pain, severe breathing difficulties, or sudden abdominal pain, seek immediate veterinary care. Conditions like congestive heart failure, advanced heart disease, or severe infections require urgent treatment to prevent complications.
Conclusion
A dog that sounds like he has a hairball may actually be experiencing a range of underlying conditions, from minor common colds to life-threatening conditions. Understanding the type of cough your dog has—whether wet cough, hacking cough, or acute cough—can help in determining the right course of action. Regular check-ups, preventative care like heart worm prevention, and early intervention can improve your dog’s quality of life and overall health.
For additional support in keeping your pet healthy, consider Under the Weather’s veterinarian-formulated products, designed to aid in digestion, immune health, and recovery from illness.
