What to Do When a Pregnant Dog Keeps Coughing

1 Coughing in a Pregnant Dog: Causes and Care

1. Causes of coughing in pregnant dogs

There are many causes of coughing, so find out why a pregnant dog is coughing. A brief, ordinary cough is usually from excitement, just waking up, or being startled, and is normally nothing to worry about. If the cough comes with nasal discharge or a stuffy nose, it is likely a cold — give the appropriate dog cold medicine, but never use any medicine that is unsafe during pregnancy. Coughing from a respiratory or lung infection is better handled at the vet. Viral infection is also a major cause and is especially dangerous for a pregnant dog, harming both the fetus and the mother.

2. Care tips for a coughing pregnant dog

1) For a simple cough, you can give Maxing Shigan decoction (a traditional herbal formula) — its ingredients are gentle and have little effect on the dog or the fetus.

2) A pregnant dog that coughs often can also eat a little radish, sip some ginger broth, and have less salt; a bit of honey mixed into the kibble is fine.

3) Always confirm promptly whether the cough is from a viral infection, because a virus can easily cause miscarriage and must be treated at once.

4) In terms of diet, support the pregnant dog’s nutrition — add calcium tablets and nutritional paste as appropriate to boost resistance, but avoid greasy food.

5) Keep the pregnant dog warm, especially during seasonal changes, to avoid a cold from chilling that leads to coughing and other problems.

6) Keep the dog’s daily living space clean to reduce the chance of bacterial infection and create a healthy environment for the pregnancy.

A pregnant dog needs extra care in every part of daily life. A cough may look minor, but if the cause is not found in time it can be life-threatening for both the dog and the fetus, so the owner must keep a close eye on the dog’s condition. For other questions, you can consult an online vet.