82.35% survey participants checked coughing as not being an emergency.
Finally, here is one where I can agree with what the readers seem to believe.
While I do see a vet if my dog is coughing persistently, most of the time it doesn't need immediate medical attention. Though, me being me, depending on the situation I might see a vet the same day or early the next. Particularly if a cough seems bothersome to my dog.
Such as with Jasmine who one day started coughing after a serious barking session with a neighbor's dog. At first, we thought all that barking irritated her throat. But she kept coughing throughout the day. When we got to the vet, they found out her lymph nodes were also enlarged. That was a scary thing. Particularly since the vet was rather blunt in saying that it's either an infection or lymphoma. Just like that. It was decided to do a therapeutic trial with an antibiotic and, fortunately, the cough resolved quickly and all was well. I still remember how weak my knees got at the word lymphoma, though.
What are the potential causes of your dog's coughing?
The most common cause, everybody is familiar with, is kennel cough. If your dog was recently boarded, or spent time in places with a lot of dogs, kennel cough is a top suspect.
Other respiratory infections can be to blame. Your dog might be suffering from an inflammatory or an immune condition. Trauma or foreign bodies can certainly be behind a cough as well. Some of these are more serious than others.
Some of the more serious causes include heart disease, tracheal collapse, fluid accumulation or cancer. Because there is no good way to tell which is which I don't hesitate seeing a vet sooner rather than later.
When is coughing a true emergency?
If your dog coughs for more than 6 hours, has a hard time breathing, coughs to the point of vomiting, is coughing up blood, or is lethargic, inappetant, or depressed, see your vet immediately.
Related articles:
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog: Coughing
Dog Medical Emergencies Survey
Dog Medical Emergencies Survey Results
Is Unproductive Retching an Emergency?
Is Difficulty Breathing an Emergency?
Is Panting an Emergency?
Is Severe Pain an Emergency?
Is Limping an Emergency?
Is Vomiting Bile in the Morning an Emergency?
Is Profuse Vomiting an Emergency?
Are Convulsions or Seizures an Emergency?
Is Loss of Appetite an Emergency?
Is Reduced Activity an Emergency?
Is Severe Lethargy an Emergency?
Is Inability to Stand an Emergency?
Is Inability to Urinate an Emergency?
Are Cuts and Abrasions an Emergency?
Is Bleeding an Emergency?
Is Blood in Vomit an Emergency?
Is Fresh Blood in Stool an Emergency?
Is Black, Tarry Stool an Emergency?
Are Pale Gums an Emergency?
Is an Unresponsive Dog an Emergency?
