Differential Diagnosis for a Cough Like a Barking Dog
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Croup: This condition, characterized by a barking cough, is the most common cause of this symptom, especially in children. It is usually viral in nature and often accompanied by hoarseness and difficulty breathing.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Although the cough in pertussis is more commonly described as a "whoop," some patients may present with a barking quality to their cough, especially in the early stages.
- Foreign Body Aspiration: In children, aspiration of a foreign body can lead to a barking cough due to irritation of the trachea or bronchi.
- Tracheitis: Inflammation of the trachea can cause a barking cough, often accompanied by fever and difficulty breathing.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Epiglottitis: Although less common, epiglottitis is a life-threatening condition that can present with a barking cough, severe difficulty breathing, and high fever. It requires immediate medical attention.
- Angioedema: This condition involves swelling of the airways and can cause a barking cough, along with difficulty breathing and potentially life-threatening airway obstruction.
Rare Diagnoses
- Subglottic Stenosis: A narrowing of the subglottic airway can cause a barking cough, often in the context of a history of intubation or other airway trauma.
- Papillomatosis: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, caused by the human papillomavirus, can lead to growths on the vocal cords and other parts of the airway, potentially causing a barking cough.
- Tuberculosis: In rare cases, tuberculosis can affect the larynx and cause a barking cough, although this is much less common than other symptoms like chronic cough, weight loss, and night sweats.