With cold and flu season right around the corner, many of us are cautious at the first sign of a sniffle, sneeze or cough--but what about our pets? While an occasional sneeze is normal, a persistent cough could be cause for concern.

“There are a lot of things that can cause a dog to cough--anything from an upper airway infection, a virus or bacteria to heart disease to heartworm, to something as serious as canine influenza. So there are many reasons for a pet to have a cough,” Dr. Maureen Luschini, DMV, said.

Recently, many vets have seen a rise in kennel cough, which your dog should be vaccinated against. To properly diagnose the symptom of coughing, a vet will need to do a few tests.

Dr. Luschini also says depending on the diagnosis, treatment options will vary.

If your dog has a persistent cough, take them to the vet for test because it could be something serious.