My senior dog's kennel cough keeps returning. What should I do?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor guy! is your pet a dog or a cat? What breed and how old? It is helpful to know a bit more. If he has been on TWO antibiotics and zyrtec since May and it has returned while on these medications I would have him rechecked by your Vet. I would want a chest X-ray and consider doing different medications based on the recheck exam and X-rays. There are many reason for a cough: genetic condition where the trachea collapses, larygneal disease, allergies, heart worm disease, other parasites, allergic disease that needs steroids, cancer, heart enlargement or heart failure. I wish you the 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, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Precious! There are many reasons for coughing: kennel cough, allergies, pneumonia, heart failure or cancer. Since it has only been a few days it is ok to give her more time. Kennel cough takes 2 weeks to resolve. If the cough worsens or hasn’t resolved in 2 weeks then I recommend a recheck and chest X-rays. I wish you 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 your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach this afternoon! I am sorry to hear Eleanor still has a cough. If her cough has not gotten better but worse and she has green mucous draining from her nose, she likely still has an upper respiratory infection and should be seen and treated at your local veterinary clinic. Another (likely longer) round of perhaps a different antibiotic may be prescribed. Your vet may test for distemper and/or do chest x-rays to check for pneumonia. I hope this has helped answer your question and I hope you are able to bring her into her vet's office soon. Best to you and Eleanor!

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.

It can take several days for kennel cough to start to improve even with medication. Once the active infection is cleared it can still take weeks to months sometimes for the cough to completely go away. But if Tobi seems worse at all, or starts acting sick otherwise, doesn't want to eat, lethargic etc. then please take her back to be rechecked. In some cases kennel cough can develop into a worse infection or pneumonia. Many times antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed. If it has only been a day or two I would consider giving it a little more time, but if otherwise concerns please contact Tobi's veterinarian to see what else could be done I hope she feels better soon thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.