My dog is coughing a lot, what do I do?
The first thing to know is that your dog has most likely caught some form of flu or cold and most likely it’s what’s known as kennel cough.
My Dog is Coughing and Hacking – The Symptoms
The term kennel cough is known by many other names. Whether referred to as Tracheobronchitis, Bordetellosis or Bordetella, it is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease that is easily passed from one dog to another.
It is both various bacterias and viruses that can cause tracheobronchitis and its trademark symptom is a dry, hacking cough that may or may not be accompanied by a clear nasal discharge. Severe cases of the disease can result in fever, sluggishness, a loss of appetite, pneumonia and occasionally death.
Cough Vaccinations Don’t Work – Here’s Why
A vast majority of pet owners vaccinate their dog for kennel cough thinking their canine companion will be safe from catching the disease once and for all; however, a vaccinated dog is still perfectly capable of contracting tracheobronchitis. Once infected, the most often prescribed treatment is antibiotics or cough suppressants.
In more severe cases, steroids, bronchodilators or aerosol therapy may become necessary. The biggest problem is that even after symptoms are gone, a dog can still be a carrier of the disease and spread it to other pets making tracheobronchitis quite prolific.
Luckily, there is a much more efficient, natural and economical way to stop this illness right in its tracks.
Be it human or canine, the first line of defense in fighting illness is the immune system, the bodies central defence mechanism. So if your asking “why is my dog coughing” it’s because their immune system is compromised and the harder it will be to keep from getting sick. When humans eat fast food or a bad diet in general, they easily catch colds and flu because their immune system is compromised.
For dogs that eat a commercial dog food diet, their immune system is already under constant attack and working overtime every day. This is not just because of run of the mill viruses and bacteria but because of the chemicals, toxins, preservatives and additives commonly found in commercial dog food.
As stated by Dr. Tom Lonsdale BVet Med, MRCVS,
“Junk food is laden with colorants, preservatives, humectants and a raft of other strange chemical additives-none of with any nutritive value and all toxic to varying degrees…”
Because the physiology of a dog was never designed to recognize manmade chemicals, these non nutrients are considered invaders by their immune system. When a dog is eating a daily diet of commercial dog food, its system easily becomes overloaded with invaders. Eventually, its overworked immune system becomes unable to fight off even the most simple of illnesses.
As an added problem, kennel cough vaccinations and the very medications that are meant to help a dog get over tracheobronchitis will wear down its system as well.
Your Dog Needs Fresh Food In Their Diet to Boost the Immune System
What a dog’s system does recognize is the live enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and the full range of over 35 proteins and other nutrients that come in a fresh food diet. With no man-made chemicals to batter the immune system, every nutrient in this diet can be used efficiently and effectively. In essence, not only does a diet of raw meat dogs have traditionally thrived on work as food, it works as medicine as well.
A boosted, strong immune system makes short work of the viruses and bacteria that cause kennel cough. It also protects dogs from further respiratory illnesses and protects a dog owner’s pocketbook from costly vet visits and medications.
I often take questions such as “my dog is coughing and sneezing”. Is it spring/summer? Many dogs cough and sneeze in the spring and summer due to flower or grass pollens. It can also be from dust or dust mites, molds and other irritants. Again, a compromised immune system will not be able to stop the problems. Once your dogs immune system is boosted from fresh food in the diet, these seasonal disorders quickly dissapear.
Watch the video below and see how dogs thrive not simply survive.
Get my free report below and stop kennel cough one time for life and a whole host of other dog health problems disappear with it.
About Dan
