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Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Approach to Coughing in Veterinary Patients
Coughing is a common clinical sign in veterinary medicine originating from irritation of the respiratory tract. This article details the differential diagnostic approach, focusing on distinguishing between cardiac, pulmonary, and upper airway etiologies.
Clinical summary
- Clinical signs
- Non-productive hacking, productive/moist coughing, exercise intolerance, tachypnea, syncopal episodes, and retching.
- Possible causes
- Tracheal collapse, congestive heart failure, infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough), feline asthma, heartworm disease, pulmonary neoplasia, and laryngeal paralysis.
- Diagnostic approach
- Diagnostic workup includes a thorough physical examination, thoracic radiographs (standard 3-view), cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography), complete blood count, and potential airway cytology via bronchoalveolar lavage.
- Management
- Treatment is etiology-dependent. Options include antitussives for non-productive coughing, bronchodilators for airway obstruction, diuretics for cardiac-related cough, and antibiotics for bacterial bronchopneumonia.
References
- [1]Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G.. Small Animal Internal Medicine (2019)
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