Will kennel cough be serious for my senior dog with a trachea issue?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question. Poor Scottie! He could have a respiratory infection, kennel cough, or heart disease causing his coughing. I would rest him tonight, keep him warm and comfortable, and bring him into the vet first thing the morning. The vet can diagnose what is causing the cough, and can treat him. Best of luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Pete! Was Pete put on antibiotics when he was seen? Kennel cough is caused by many viral, bacterial or mycoplasma organisms. There is only the ONE vaccine for Bordatella. A lot of dogs sadly get a different bacteria or virus that causes the kennel cough signs. Kennel cough is very goose honkey. Since Pete is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is pacing at night and is 12 years old he should be rechecked. I would recommend X-rays of his chest. If his heart and lungs look clear then either put him on antibiotics and a cough suppressant if he isn't on anything or change the medications since he isn't improving and is actually getting worse. I worry about older dogs with possible kennel cough. The young and the old have increased risk for kennel cough to progress to pneumonia. I hope this helps and I wish Pete the very best!

Hi, If the dog completed his antibiotic course but still he is presenting signs of cough and breathing sounds, I would recommend to follow up with the vet. Senior dogs can show longer signs of illness in kennel cough but that needs to be monitored by a vet because if persist further investigation may be warranted.

Hi, I'm Dr. Johnson. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think if she drinks water slowly and has no issue I think that she is just vomiting the water because she drinks it too fast. Just try to slow her down when she is drinking. I do not think she has kennel cough if she's had this hacking cough for months. Kennel cough is self limiting. You didn't indicate what breed Pepper is but I see that she is small. My best guess for the cough is that she has collapsing trachea. Collapsing trachea is a congenital abnormality of the tracheal rings making them weaker. It effects small breed dogs like Yorkies, Pomeranians, etc. Usually they cough when exercising or pulling on the leash. I'd monitor for progression of the cough or issues with her breathing. Keep her thin because dogs that are overweight have a harder time with collapsing tracheas Good luck!

Yes, he may have contracted kennel cough. If he has been vaccinated he should only get a mild infection. If he stops eating and becomes very lethargic then I would take him in. Otherwise just keep him quiet, give plenty of fluids and be patient. It may take up to two weeks for him to get better. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Diesel.

Cough can be caused by an infection, heart problem or lung condition, it is important to first know the cause before treating it as treatment is different from condition to another. The most common disease causing cough is a viral/bacterial infection called Kennel cough, this disease usually resolves without treatment within a couple weeks but if the cough is too severe it is recommended to go to the vet in order to get cough medicine and antibiotics.

Yes, I would have Charley vaccinated as well. The kennel cough vaccine doesn't completely protect against the disease, but it makes the symptoms less severe if the dog gets it. This is because there are a number of different bacteria that can cause kennel cough. Mayzie could still get it, and yes she could bring it home and infect Charley.