coughing

CANINE COUGHING

By Don Hamilton, DVM

As with sneezing, coughing provides a way for the body to remove foreign materials and infectious organisms from the respiratory tract. Forceful expulsion of air carries particulates out of the trachea and bronchi, thus mechanically cleaning the airways. Mucus may be produced here, as it is in the nose, to bind these particles and prevent them from moving deeper into the lungs. In this instance, coughing moves the mucus as well as the particulates it contains, resulting in a moist cough. A moist cough may also accompany circulation problems due to inadequate movement of blood through the lungs. Pooling of blood in the lungs can lead to seeping of fluid (plasma) through the alveolar walls into the airways. Coughing will then expel this fluid, allowing air to penetrate into the alveoli so that respiration can occur.

While the selection of a homeopathic medicine is not dependent upon which mechanism is producing a cough, obviously you need to know the cause. This determination will help decide what supportive measures may be beneficial, and it allows you to understand the severity and prognosis of your companion's illness.

General Care for Coughing
If your companion is coughing, try to ascertain the severity of the situation:
. Is this an isolated incident or does it happen regularly?
. How long does the coughing spell last?
. Is the cough moist or dry?
. Is he bringing anything up-mucous, blood, pus?
. Is breathing hindered?
. Are the gums nice and pink, or are they muddy, dark, or bluish?
. Is she active, or lethargic?

Have an examination immediately:
. if breathing is hindered;
. if gums are not pink (gum colour should be the same as yours - if your pet's gums are pigmented, you can look under the eyelids, or at the vagina if you have a female).
. if she is extremely weak.

Have your companion checked right away:
. if he is weak and lethargic;
. if the cough is moist, especially if any material is coughed up;
. if coughing is severe, or if spells last more than a few minutes;
. if cough is worsening.

Have an examination soon:
. if coughing persists for more than a few days (the more severe the cough,
the sooner you should get an exam).

Next, try to determine patterns and circumstances.
. Are there triggering conditions such as:
. air pollution;
. dampness;
. going out into cold air;
. entering a warm room;
. drinking;
. lying down?
. What time of day or night does the cough occur?
. Are other animals in the household affected?

Acute Coughing
If your companion's energy is good and the condition seems mild, try some vitamin C (5-10 mg/lb, two to three times a day) and vitamin E (3-5 mg/lb, once a day). If the cough doesn't resolve itself within a day or two, treat with one of the remedies listed below.

Chronic or Severe Coughing
For more severe conditions, I strongly recommend working with an experienced homeopathic practitioner. Veterinary monitoring is essential, as these conditions can be life-threatening. Obtaining a diagnosis is particularly important for the same reason. If you cannot work with a homeopathic prescriber, you can try one of the indicated remedies in addition to conventional therapy, though interpretation and response may be unclear.

Herbal therapy such as echinacea or cat's claw for infections, or hawthorn for heart failure, may be of benefit, but a diagnosis is needed to know what to use. Gingko, nettles, and bromelain/quercetin may help asthmatic coughs.

A holistic veterinarian can provide the best assistance.

Homeopathic Medicines for Coughing
Aconitum napellus
A sudden dry cough in an individual that has recently been chilled, especially in a cold wind, is a good indication for Aconite. These animals usually have a fever, and thirst for cold water. They may be quite anxious and fearful. Kennel cough may respond to it if the symptoms fit. The best responses occur when this remedy is administered early in the course of an illness.

Antimonium tartaricum
Antimonium tart is indicated in fairly serious respiratory affections, with copious amounts of mucous and a loose, rattling cough. Although abundant, the mucous proves to be quite difficult to expel. These patients may be very weak, with poor respiration, leading to drowsiness and trembling. They must sit up to breathe, and vomiting may follow coughing fits. Despondency and chilliness generally accompany the condition. Consider this remedy for canine distemper.

Arsenicum album
Arsenicum is often helpful with asthma, a major cause of coughing in cats, although other remedies are frequently needed for permanent relief.

Night time aggravation is usually present, as are restlessness, thirst and chilliness - all classic Arsenicum symptoms. The cough tends to be dry, although it may alternate with a loose cough; coughing may follow drinking.

Belladonna
Belladonna states generally arise suddenly and are attended with intense anxiety, sometimes aggression, and dilated pupils during periods of aggravation. The cough is dry and accompanied with fever, chilliness, and sweating (check the foot pads in cats and dogs). Coughing often occurs on slight motion and may occur in spasms. It may be indicated in kennel cough.

These patients may be thirsty for cold water, or they may be thistles.

Bryonia alba
The Bryonia cough is similar to that of Belladonna: a dry cough aggravated by slight motion, and fever with great thirst. Onset is more gradual, however, and the thirst is even greater, as this is one of our thirstiest remedy states. The Bryonia cough is aggravated upon entering a warm room.

Motion is generally intolerable for these patients, even being carried about. They usually prefer to be left alone. Coughing and breathing may be quite painful, so rapid, short respiration may ensue. The animal may sit up to breathe more comfortably.

Cina
Infestation with worms can induce a Cina state, so it is more commonly needed in young animals. They tend to be moody, irritable, and touchy - to the point of biting or swatting at those around them. The Cina cough is gagging, hacking, and spasmodic, sometimes violent. The aggravation occurs in the morning when Cina is needed; this is different from most other remedies. It may also be worse at the full moon. This is another remedy to consider for kennel cough.

Drosera
Also a good choice for kennel cough, Drosera is indicated for violent, spasmodic coughing spells. The throat is very ticklish, so vocalization or touching the throat often incites a coughing spell. The cough may be worse
when the animal lies down, an unusual symptom. Coughing is deep, as if it comes from the abdomen. Hoarseness and laryngitis may accompany the cough.

Dulcamara
Aggravation in cold, damp weather or from lying on damp ground point to the successful use of this remedy. It is also commonly needed toward the end of summer, when days are warm and nights are cold. Frequently the cough is asthmatic and dry, although it may be loose. Coughing may be brought on after exertion. A common initiating cause of the Dulcamara state is rapid chilling after being hot, as after exercise on a cold, damp day.

Ferrum phosphoricum
These patients tend to have low grade inflammations with productive coughing. They may cough up blood or bleed from the nose. The cough is usually tickling and hacking and may be spasmodic. Ferrum phos is often indicated in earlier stages of infections and inflammations. Mentally, these animals may alternate between depression and excitability, and they generally wish to be left alone.

Hepar sulphuris calcareum
One of the major croup remedies for children, Hepar sulph can also benefit animals with bronchial inflammation. Coughing is almost always productive when Hepar sulph is indicated, and thick, yellow pus is produced. These animals are chilly, and any time they become chilled the cough worsens. Cold drafts are especially troublesome. Mentally, irritability and violence often predominate, and touch may bring about a vicious response. There may be a history of abscessed wounds.

Ipecac
Coughing with nausea is a keynote for Ipecac. These animals will cough, usually violently, and then often vomit. Bleeding from the nose or mouth may accompany the cough. Asthma may be accompanied by skin disease, and may be aggravated in damp weather. Breathing can be quite difficult, with violent wheezing; it is better in warm and open air but worse in cold air. Ipecac may be indicated when animals cough until they stiffen and pass out.

Phosphorus
This polychrest remedy centres its action on the lungs. Not surprisingly, then, many respiratory conditions will improve under its influence - if the individual is in a Phosphorus state. Bleeding often accompanies any Phosphorus condition. These animals may cough up blood tinged mucous or bleed from the mouth or nose. The cough is typically dry and deep and is worse in cold air, especially upon leaving a warm room to go out into the cold. These animals may tremble when coughing, and may cough more in the presence of strangers. They are generally chilly, thirsty for cold water, ravenous, and startle easily. Constitutionally, these animals are friendly and vocal, with long, lean bodies.

Pulsatilla
The Pulsatilla cough is generally dry at night and loose in the morning.

Heated rooms aggravate the Pulsatilla condition, while open air will relieve. Sitting up will also provide relief, as will lying with the head elevated. This remedy is frequently needed near the end of a respiratory infection, when congestion has settled in the chest and the body needs to clear the discharges. Animals needing Pulsatilla are generally sweet, desire attention, and are not thirsty, even with a fever.

Rumex crispus
A characteristic of Rumex is tickling in the throat leading to coughing. This tickling is so severe that slight touch will elicit a cough. The other very important sensitivity is to cold air; every breath of cold air will initiate a cough. Any temperature change may also elicit a coughing spell.

The Rumex cough tends to be dry and persistent. This remedy should be considered for kennel cough.

Spongia tosta
Spongia comes to mind for croupy, barking coughs. The sound of the cough has been compared (very aptly) to that of sawing through a pine board. Eating and drinking warm things will generally improve the cough; cold drinks may aggravate the cough, as may cold wind. Spongia may be indicated in coughs from heart disease. These animals may be quite anxious and fearful, and often startle from sleep, moving into coughing or breathing difficulty.

Spongia may be indicated for kennel cough.

LUNG PROBLEMS
If your dog or cat has problems indicating more serious lung or heart problems, she should be under the care of a competent homeopathic prescriber, and close veterinary supervision is essential. Symptoms might include shortness of breath, rapid tiring upon minimal exercise, or severe wheezing. You might also notice gurgling or rattling sounds during breathing, indicating fluid accumulation. If you see any of these signs, obtain a thorough examination right away, and determine the extent of the problem. Any of these conditions may respond to correctly prescribed homeopathic medicines, but they are serious conditions and should be treated by someone with experience.

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Possible Causes of Coughing
Condition	Signs	Action	Comment
Breathing of irritants (fine dust, paint fumes, aerosol sprays)	Rapid and exagerated breathing, watering eyes, depression	Telephone vet for advice on first aid treatment	Prevention is much better than cure
Injury to chest	Rapid breathing, bruising or pain over the ribs	Seek veterinary help without delay	Many road accidents cause some degree of lung haemorrhage
Pharyngitis, Laryngitis and Tonsillitis	Depression, fever, loss of appetite, coughing and retching	Prompt veterinary consultation as this condition responds well to treatment	It is as well to remember that tonsillitis is often an early sign of a major infectious disease and it should not be treated lightly. Some breeds of dog seem especially susceptable to recurrent bouts of tonsillitis

source: Doglopaedia A complete guide to dog care J.M.Evans and Kay White

Garlic

The Coughing Pet

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.