Heart Cough in Dogs - How to Prolong Their Life

Heart cough in dogs – What you need to know

What can I do to ensure my dog ​​has the longest and healthiest life possible? This question concerns me not only as a sociologist, but also as a dog owner.

As our dogs age, their hearts also weaken – often unnoticed. Some dogs remain fit and active well into old age, so much so that you would hardly believe anything is wrong.

One symptom that can occur in dogs with a weakened heart valve (often age-related, but not always) is the so-called heart cough .

How do you recognize a heart cough?

A heart cough sounds like your dog is trying to cough something up. It's a harsh, halting cough that often repeats desperately without any visible relief.

But don't panic: Especially in winter, older dogs can occasionally develop a "normal" cough. Heart cough, on the other hand, often lasts for several weeks, improves in milder weather , and worsens during the next cold spell .

The video with full explanation:

The dangerous thing about cardiac cough is that it is often associated with fluid in the lungs – a significant strain for your dog.

Interestingly, dogs with cardiac cough can otherwise appear healthy – they play, run, and catch balls as if everything is fine. Often, they only cough in the morning or evening and not during the day.

What can you do?

If you suspect your dog has cardiac cough, it's essential to consult a veterinarian. A cardiac ultrasound is usually performed for diagnosis. Afterwards, your dog will often receive diuretics to help alleviate the symptoms. Keep in mind that these tablets can significantly increase your dog's thirst. Therefore, ensure that plenty of fresh water is always available and that your dog has regular opportunities to urinate.

Have your veterinarian explain everything to you in detail and make sure you understand all the instructions.

How else can you support your dog?

• Fresh air: Spend as much time as possible outdoors with your dog – forests, meadows and clean air have a positive effect on his health.
• Social interaction: Let your dog interact with other dogs if he enjoys it.
• Free running: Give him the opportunity to run freely, sniff around and relax when he is outside.
• Exercise and relaxation: A good balance between activity and rest strengthens your dog's well-being.
• Avoid leash stress: With the STURMFREI® anti-stress harness, you avoid unnecessary leash agitation and ensure that your dog behaves more calmly on the leash in the long term.

With a good veterinarian by your side, the cough will soon be a thing of the past and your dog will be relieved. We wish you a long and wonderful time together! ❤️