My dog is coughing and breathing hard. Can I wait to see a vet?

I’m so sorry to hear about Rooney. If the spitting up is happening after a cough, this could be a terminal retch (they cough so hard they gag/spit up). In this case, I’d call the vet and ask for a cough suppressant to calm the coughing. You can send a video clip to experts@Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co if you are still worried. Main warning signs for me are difficulty breathing, if the amount or sound of the coughing changes, if Rooney stops eating, or becomes very lethargic. If see a vet pronto if any of those occur. Best of luck to you and Rooney!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Roxy! If Roxy is having trouble breathing she needs to see a veterinarian right away. We have to assume she is in congestive heart failure. Just increasing the medication likely will not be enough. You can give her another 1/2 of furosemide while you find an open emergency room. Oral medications are not quick enough in situations like this. She likely needs oxygen and injectable medications. I wish Roxy the best!

If your pup is having a lot of trouble breathing and you are concerned he is in respiratory distress, then I would have him seen by a vet as soon as possible. It's always fine to have your dog checked out by a vet if you are very concerned. Otherwise, I'd wait the three days and see if he improves before taking him back into the vet. I hope he feels better soon!

Hello. Any new breathing problems should be looked at immediately. Even if Boris has had this problem for a while, if it has suddenly gotten worse, he should be looked at quickly, even if it means a trip to the emergency clinic. I hope he is doing better soon & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Bindi. Poor girl, I'm concerned about the amount she is breathing (breaths per minute) and the wheezing. Breathing issues can quickly become serious and life threatening, so I think it is best she sees a vet now. Please take her into an ER vet now. Best of luck.

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.

If his respiratory rate is normal, he's eating and drinking, seems to be feeling good (not acting lethargic), and recovers quickly from these coughing fits (within 2ish minutes), I don't think you need to take him to emergency. A mild degree of coughing is to be expected in these guys. Try to get a video if you can, that way when you do take him in, the vet can see the severity of what you are seeing at home. I would recommend you call your vet and see if you can increase the dose of Tussigon. Use the following guidelines for when to take him to ER: *respiratory rate at rest persistently above 40 breaths per minute *unrelenting cough or any coughing fit that causes his tongue to turn a blue or purple color *not eating, or acting increasingly tired and lethargic *any new symptoms arise (vomiting/diarrhea, change in the appearance of his belly such as appearing bloated, etc) I hope that's helpful for you! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.