Boxer coughing?

[jamesong55]

What would cause my 3 boxers to cough? It has been really hot around here about 102 plus humid off and on for 2 weeks but they are not inside dogs in the middle of the day I set my clock ( i work 3rds) and let them in the garage thats air conditioned. But the poor things are hacking like crazy and the boys are 5 yo and 3 yo and they have been outside all the time except for extreme winters and the hottest part of the day. Any ideas i would appreciate it

Thanks

Tina

[womenswisdom]

My first thought if all three are coughing is bordatella. It's basically like a chest cold in people and should resolve without treatment. You should see a vet if the coughing is excessive, the dog is lethargic, has a fever or loses its appetite. This could indicate a complication like pneumonia.

[lonegirl]

There are a lot of things that can cause a cough....Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Heart Disease, Heartworm.....if it is all of them then I would be inclined to think kennel cough.

[Breathless Wonder]

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/cough.html

I just looked this up myself today.

[janey99]

I have owned boxers for many years (currently new mommy to 12 wo Cassie!). What you're describing does sound like bordetella, especially since all three of them have it - it's very contagious.

However, I respectfully disagree with the posters who say it will resolve on its own. Although with many breeds it will, without incident, since boxers are brachycephalic they can easily develop respiratory tract complications from kennel cough, particularly in hot weather which is hard on short-faced dogs to begin with.

Please take your babies for a vet visit to be on the safe side!

Jane