Pharmacy Service: All you need to know about our best Pharmacy Services

While a cough may seem relatively commonplace, in dogs and cats it is not a normal occurrence, and a host of conditions can be the source. Some of these diseases are less serious and easy to manage, but a few can be an early signal of a major problem or a highly infectious disease.

At Grah Kingston, we are providing quality Cat & Dog pharmacy Services. We are known as one of the best dog pharmacy vet clinics in Kingston.

If your cat coughs, the list of problems is shorter than their canine counterparts. Hairballs are often described as being coughed up, but that is strictly regurgitation and has nothing to do with the lungs or airways. If a cat has a chronic cough it is more of what I describe as a “smoker’s cough” and may have a wheezing component to it.

This is generally seen with allergic airway disease or asthma. Your veterinarian will take chest X-rays and eliminate other conditions, and treatment is generally with steroids or your cat will need to be trained to take an inhaler. They make masks that gently fit over the cat’s face, and with time and little practice, it can be well-tolerated.

Cats are less prone to infectious forms of a cough, but with some viral diseases that have significant sinus symptoms, secondary bronchitis can develop. Dogs are more likely to be affected by a cough, and a wider variety of conditions can be at play. One of the first questions your veterinarian will ask you is whether your dog recently has been in contact with other dogs.

Highly infectious diseases such as Kennel cough or Canine Influenza are easily spread from dog to dog, and one of the first signs is a cough. Canine influenza can be serious, and your veterinarian will also try to limit exposure to any other dogs to prevent further infections. Fortunately, these infections have effective vaccines that can prevent or minimize more serious cases of the disease.

Collapsing trachea is another condition that affects middle-aged or older, small-breed dogs and generally occurs when the dog is excited or pressure is applied to the underside of the neck. As these dog's age the cartilage in the supporting rings of the trachea soften, and what is supposed to be a relatively rigid structure will collapse with pressure. X-rays can pick up the collapse, but sometimes a rigid endoscope may need to be passed down the trachea to catch the collapse.

A chronic cough unfortunately can be one of the first signs of heart failure in dogs. As the pumping function of the heart begins to decrease, fluid can start to build up in the lungs, and dogs may have a moist cough. Through a combination of examining your dog and taking X-rays, a diagnosis is made. A cardiac ultrasound may also be recommended to determine the extent of the disease.

While a serious diagnosis, many dogs can still experience good quality and length of life after a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Medications to decrease the fluid load in the body and improve the ability of the heart to function will manage the symptoms, and some dogs can live for years with the condition.

Mild cases are managed by avoiding neck collars, and more seriously affected dogs may need medications or implantation of a stent to support the trachea. So if your dog or cat develops a cough, call your veterinarian to have your pet evaluated to establish a diagnosis as soon as possible, as early detection and intervention is important for many of these diseases.

Pet owners are welcome to visit our Animal Hospital in Kingston. GRAH provides full pharmacy services to its clients, in order to ensure immediate access to all prescribed medications, vitamins and other healthcare supplements for their pets easily.