How to distinguish between the most common reasons for coughing in dogs.

When it comes to allergies, especially in North Carolina, we are now talking about one of the most common conditions in cats and dogs that exist. Key questions to ask yourself about your own dog when you "think" he or she might have an allergy are related to two of what I would term the most important "superpower" skills to develop if you want to be a better "diagnostician" which are (1) pattern recognition and (2) trend analysis. For all of the following common differential analyses (or, possible causes) below, I have highlighted what I believe is the dealbreaker when it comes to distinguishing that specific type of allergies that your dog may have at the time.

Allergies (i.e. allergic seasonal tracheitis)

Unique Characteristics &

Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis "Kennel Cough"

Heart Disease (i.e. Mitral Valve Dysplasia)

Larngeal Paralysis (i.e. Vocal Folds atrophy over time)

Retching (Look-Alikes in which you need to determine if this is respiratory, gastrointestinal, or both.

Heatworm Disease (Dirofilaria Immitis)

Tracheitis post intubation for any procedure (during general anesthesia)

Upper Respiratory Infection

Pneumonia (i.e. Aspiration Pneumonia)