How do you know if your dog has a sore throat?
Like us, dogs can get a sore throat. It’s rare, but canines can also have tonsillitis. If you notice your dog licking his lips and making swallowing motions, and he has a high pitched gagging cough, it could be a sign of a sore throat, or an indication he has something caught in his throat.
Use Your Shower to Do Steam Therapy
If you’re taking a hot shower or bath, let your dog stay in the closed bathroom with you—but not in the shower or bath. The hot shower can provide steam therapy and also help to decrease irritation.
Natural throat soothers also can boost your dogs immune system. Give him 1/2 to one teaspoon of honey three times a day, or one teaspoon of coconut oil for every 10 pounds of his weight daily. Do not give the coconut oil to him all at once, but over the course of the day in smaller increments. Honey and coconut oil can be mixed together for greater effectiveness, and your dog will probably love the sweet taste. Herbal products are also available that contain a mixture of essential oils and various natural products to ease a dogs sore throat. Look at pet stores or online sources that sell holistic pet products. Peppermint tea, made strong with honey added, can be given to soothe your dogs throat, as well; make sure its not too hot. Plenty of fluids and rest also can help healing.
In extreme cases, a veterinarian might recommend the removal of your dogs tonsils. This usually follows persistent or recurring symptoms, and can indicate other health problems. It is rarely needed, but is more common in small dog breeds when it is required.
If your dog has a sore throat, there should be a physical cue, such as coughing, gagging, excessive drooling, refusing to eat, fever and obvious discomfort when swallowing. His throat might be red and inflamed, or show drainage. Depending on the severity, different treatments are available to ease his discomfort.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
Avoid all dry, rough food for a few days. Instead, give your dog soft, wet food that will go down his throat easily and not provide additional irritation. Make sure to give him healthy alternatives to his usual dry food, however, to help raise his immune system and fight off the infection.
Sore Throat Remedies For Dogs and Cats (and People!)
Kennel cough—also known as canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) or infectious tracheobronchitis—is a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs. It’s an infectious bronchitis that causes the trachea and bronchioles to become inflamed, resulting in a dry, hacking cough. This cough can sometimes sound like your dog has something stuck in their throat.
Kennel cough can be caused by multiple microorganisms, including Bordatella bronchiseptica bacteria, canine adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, and mycoplasma, along with many other bacteria and viruses. It’s typically spread when a healthy dog is exposed to the respiratory secretions of an infected dog.
Kennel cough can cause mild symptoms in some dogs but can progress to a life-threatening pneumonia in other dogs. This is why it’s important to recognize the symptoms of kennel cough and seek treatment immediately. There is also a kennel cough vaccination that can prevent your dog from getting kennel cough.
Here’s everything you need to know about kennel cough in dogs—from what it is and its symptoms to kennel cough treatment and prevention.
A healthy dog can get kennel cough by inhaling aerosolized bacteria or viruses from an infected dog.
The bacteria and/or virus can be spread from an infected dog through coughing or sneezing, and dogs can also get it from infected objects (toys, food/water bowls).
Dogs can develop kennel cough approximately three to four days after they are exposed. Dogs are typically exposed to kennel cough when they are in crowded areas that have poor airflow and warm, moist air, such as: