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My dog is lip smacking, yawning, and coughing. Is it kennel cough?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 2 years and 3 months old | 33 lbs

My dog keeps lip smacking and yawning way more often than usual, every now and then he makes a choking/gagging cough. Otherwise he is behaving and eating normally. The coughing, lip licking and yawning aren’t seriously excessively but are often enough for me to notice he is doing it when he normally rarely does it. What could this be?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Strydom, DVM

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 15, 2018

My best guess is that Sarge is showing signs of bordetella infection (kennel cough). I suggest you have him examined by your vet to get a proper diagnosis since I cannot diagnose over the internet. I does not sound like an emergency but I would try to get him examined in the next day or so. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
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