Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Coughing in Dogs

Ten clinical cases of paroxysmal coughing in aged dogs (6 years and above) referred at Nandini Veterinary Hospital, Surat were investigated for its etiological diagnosis and rational management. The illness was characterized by recurrent paroxysmal coughing exaggerated during night and morning hours and on exercise, dyspnoea, and variable basal body temperature. Peripheral blood smears revealed abundance of eosinophils and microfilariae. The microfilariae were having tapering tail indistinguishable from those of Dirofilaria immitis. Electrocardiogram revealed atrial fibrillation, “Ta” wave, low voltage complexes and sinus arrhythmia either alone or in different combinations in 5 dogs indicating cardiac involvement also. Thorax radiograph (lateral and/or dorso-ventral) showed parenchymal changes in lungs and arterial pathology. Initial treatment with prednesolone, ceftiofur sodium, anti-allergic cough suppressant, theophyllin and humidification for 7 to 10 days provided much sought comfort as coughing was almost controlled. Second phase treatment was started with acetyl salicylic acid, ivermectin, pyrantel pamoate and silymarin. Out of 10, 2 dogs collapsed within 3 months of therapy owing to poor compliance.