Persistent coughing in older dog, particularly one of the small breeds, may be a symptom of chronic bronchitis or chronic airway disease caused by irritants such as cigarette smoke or house dust. As the airways become narrowed and clogged with mucus, the cough, which is normally dry, harsh nature, intensifies.
By this time, the disease cannot be cured, but drugs can alleviate the synmptoms. You can help by cutting down on smoking and by vacumming the dog’s environment more frequently.
A persistent dry cough and fatigue may be signs of congestive heart failure. In advanced cases of heart disease, coughing and breathlessness will increase as the lungs fill with fluid.
The presence of parasites such as heartworms, lungworms, and roundworms, and fungal infections, can also affect a dog’s lungs and breathing, causing persistent coughing.
