Kennel cough or also known as canine cough in dogs is characterized by a deep, dry, hacking cough. Another cause for this type of this of cough is that something could possibly be stuck in their throat. If the cough is wet or gurgly may be an indication that fluid or phlegm has built up in the lungs. If a human coughs it is to clear out their throat or due to a cold or flu. If a human has a persistent cough it could be a sign of pneumonia or a more serious condition such as cancer. However, in dogs, a cough can be a sign of numerous different conditions. Clues of the type of cough that your dog has are the dog’s breed or the circumstances surrounding when the dog is coughing. Kennel cough is a highly transmittable viral or bacterial infection. If your dog begins to cough after a recent stay at a boarding facility or in another circumstance where he or she has been in contact with multiple dogs they could have contracted kennel cough. This cough usually gets worse with exertion. If this is the case it is best to seek veterinarian consultation to prevent any further complications. Tonsillitis is rare in dogs but can be diagnosed by a veterinarian. Signs of tonsillitis in dogs are swallowing motions and licking its lips accompanied by a high pitched gagging cough but can also indicate a sore throat. This type of cough can also be a sign that there is an obstruction in the throat. When a dog has a cough that sounds like he or she is gargling is a sign of fluid or phlegm in the lungs. Predominantly this occurs with pneumonia, which mainly occurs in adult and senior dogs. Pneumonia is mostly caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Another cause of pneumonia is if a dog aspirates on a foreign body or they aspirate on vomit. The tiny toy breeds and extra small dogs are known to have a condition called collapsing trachea. When these little dogs have this condition and they cough it is a honking goose sound. Dogs that pull strongly against their collars also make this honking goose sounding cough. The breed of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed that is prone to heart disease. If these dogs cough while laying down or mostly at night this could be a sign that the disease is progressing. If anyone of these types of coughs become more frequent than usual or becomes violent, it is recommended to immediately transport him or her to your veterinarian. If diagnosed early most conditions that cause coughing can be managed or treated fairly easily. If your dog is diagnosed with kennel cough the veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics and they should be quarantined to prevent further spread of the infection.

Kidneys are important in the body of a cat as they are important in human beings. Abnormal conditions affecting the cat's kidneys will lead to dysfunction of the kidney. When the performance of a kidney fails, there are some metabolic processes in a cat that will seize to occur. If important metabolic processes fail to occur then definitely the cat dies. What are Kidney Stones in Cats? Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts. These stones form inside the kidney of a cat, bringing about kidney complications. Often, these stones form when the urine becomes concentrated, and it allows crystallization of minerals which eventually stick together. Causes of Kidney Stones in Cats. Kidney stones can form due to various contributions. The major contributions to their formation is not very clear, but among the reasons include: Oversaturation of the kidney stones forming materials in the urine of the cat. Increased calcium levels in the urine and blood. Diets that produce alkaline conditions in the urine. Recurrent urinary tract infections. Metabolic kidney stones, which are formed due to an imbalance of urine components, are common in cats than kidney stones resulting from infections. Some of the infections include fungal mycoses and bacterial cysts. Symptoms of Kidney Stones in Cats. Many cats do not have apparent signs for kidney stones. This implies that most kidney stones are diagnosed after carrying out some tests on the cat. Some of the commonly known symptoms of kidney stones in cats are: Blood in urine. Frequent vomiting. Recurrent urinary tract infections. Abdominal discomfort. Weight loss. Poor appetite. Altered urine production, which can be increased or decreased. Painful and difficult urination. Other symptoms may vary depending on which types of kidney stones are present in the cat. Kidney stones may be active or inactive. When they are active, is when a lot of symptoms can be observed on the cat. Diagnosis of Kidney Stones in Cats. When the above signs are seen on a cat, then the veterinarian will have to do procedures for diagnosis of the cat. The following steps will be followed during the cat diagnosis. The veterinarian will ask for a well-detailed history of the cat. Then the officer will go ahead to perform a physical examination on the cat. The analysis involves ultrasound imaging and urinalysis. After the two procedures above, the veterinary officer will then identify the mineral content on the stones. Determination of the type of content is done by acquiring mineral deposits from the urinary tract of the cat. The deposits are acquired by sound waves in a process called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. Treatment of Kidney Stones in Cats. After the diagnosis of kidney stones in your cat, then treatment of the stones has to be undertaken immediately. The treatments vary depending on the type of kidney stones present in the kidney. Some of the treatments include: Administration of antibiotics to the cat. This is specifically for kidney stones resulting from urinary tract infection. Carrying out Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. This procedure reduces the size of the kidney stone progressively until its existence comes to an end. Conclusion. Kidney stones affect most of our cats day in day out. It is important to know how to deal with cats whenever they show signs of this condition. Consultations should be made with a veterinary officer for more information concerning kidney stones.