Coughing Dog Referred to a Heart Specialist Despite Normal X-Rays

A specialist visit makes sense. A chronic dry cough in a slightly overweight dog can come from the heart, but also from the airways, such as a collapsing trachea or chronic bronchitis, which a cardiologist or internist can help sort out. An echocardiogram and sometimes an NT-proBNP blood test can show whether the heart is involved.

For the liver changes and high cholesterol, ask your vet for the specific results and whether conditions such as Cushing's disease or an underactive thyroid have been checked, since they can cause both. Helping her lose weight slowly on the diet your vet recommends can also ease a cough.

See heart disease in dogs and our page on why dogs cough.

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