My senior dog with kennel cough is puffing cheeks. Should I call vet?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Ginger! Unfortunately due to Ginger's age I really worry about the sudden onset of a cough. If she was young I'd say ride it out and give her time but not at 16 years old. I worry about heart failure and cancer the most. As a Pomeranian she could have collapsing trachea that is a bit aggravated due to allergies or an infection. If she was groomed lately or around other dogs then it could be kennel cough, which tends to run it's course in 2 weeks. The best thing for Ginger is to be looked at by your Vet. I wish Ginger the best!

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 and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Jackie. Many states right now are experiencing outbreaks of respiratory problems in dogs. All of us in the profession are always worried about canine flu outbreaks. I would advise that if the condition worsens or doesn't resolve, have your veterinarian evaluate Jackie. There are many causes of coughing and having a thorough history would help narrow that down. Of course kennel cough, allergies, things in the air that are irritants, etc are all possible including many others. Again, with everything going on now across the United States, I would advise a trip to your vet's office with her. They can evaluate her and then advise some treatment or diagnostic testing to screen for a cause. They may advise fecal tests, blood tests, x-rays, or other tests to determine a cause. Better to be safe in this case. Good luck with Jackie.

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, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Sissy! How old is Sissy? My biggest concern is your comment about labored breathing. When owners comment that the breathing is abnormal then I have to recommend an immediate veterinary exam. Possible causes of coughing and labored breathing are: Kennel cough (especially if she is around other dogs a lot), pneumonia, congestive heart failure, collapsing trachea, laryngeal paralysis, cancer. Once your Vet examines her and gets a good history they may want to take X-rays of her chest. Hopefully she just has kennel cough and needs some antibiotics and cough tabs. I hope this helps and I wish Sissy a speedy recovery!

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. With the symptoms you are describing, I would have a veterinarian examine her to be on the safe side. I would want to make sure her heart is functioning normally and that there is not a heart murmur or fluid in the lungs. I would also suggest having her blood tested to make sure there are no concerning changes with Lola's systemic functions. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I am also available via consult if needed.

I recommend bringing him to a veterinarian and having them listen to his chest. This may be respiratory or heart related but having a veterinarian auscultate them is the first step. It may require x-rays to determine what it going on also. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.