Chronic Cough in a 16-Year-Old Dog: What Can Help?

Thank you for writing, Liz, and for taking such good care of Bugsy. Chronic coughing in older small dogs is often linked to the airways, such as a weakening windpipe (tracheal collapse), chronic bronchitis or a narrowing of the larynx, and sometimes to the heart. It's worth confirming the exact cause with your vet, ideally with chest X-rays, because the best treatment depends on it.

One clarification that may help: albuterol, the most common inhaler drug, is a bronchodilator that opens the airways, not a steroid. Some inhalers do contain steroids, such as fluticasone. Inhaled medication delivers the drug straight to the airways with less effect on the rest of the body. It's worth asking your vet which drug they meant and why.

There's no reliable evidence that glucosamine strengthens the windpipe. Helpful measures include keeping Bugsy lean, using a harness instead of a collar, and avoiding smoke and dust. Don't give human cough or cold products without your vet's approval. Some contain xylitol, which can cause a dangerous drop in a dog's blood sugar, and some multi-symptom products contain painkillers or decongestants that are unsafe for dogs. See our page on causes of coughing in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.