My dog is coughing like choking. Is it kennel cough? What to do?

Congratulations! Adopting a pet is wonderful. If coughing is bacterial or viral in nature, it may resolve in 10-14 days with or without treatment. The cough may linger longer. Ideally, Toby should be physically examined by your veterinarian to rule out other causes, such as cardiac disease or a collapsing trachea. If the cough is severe, a cough suppressant can be dispensed.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While kennel cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica, other bacteria and viruses can cause upper respiratory infections. These can occasionally progress to pneumonia if not treated appropriately with antibiotics and supportive care. Other causes of coughing include collapsing trachea, heartworm disease, heart disease, and masses. I recommend having Tator seen by a vet to rule out the conditions above and receive appropriate treatment. In the meantime, I recommend limiting Tator’s activity so that he does not get stressed and using a harness rather than a collar for walks.

Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Yes I would recommend you take Toby into your vet for an exam to make sure he doesn't have a upper respiratory infection and rule out other health issues that could be causing his symptoms. Always a good idea to check in with your vet! Best of luck to you and Toby!

Poor guy. It sounds like Dorado has likely contracted a bit of an upper respiratory bug (kennel cough). This is treated with antibiotics through your vet. Schedule an appt soon to have him evaluated and likely put on a short course of antibiotics to clear things up. To help protect him in the future, its best to have his Bordetella (Kennel cough) vaccine given once every 6 months instead of yearly. I hope that Dorado feels better soon! Best wishes and take care.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Toby has been unwell. It sounds like he may have a cold (i.e. kennel cough). Other possibilities include pneumonia, or heart issues. I would recommend taking Toby to the vet if his coughing and lethargy doesn't improve within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, keep up his food and water intake, and allow him plenty of opportunities to rest. If it is kennel cough, you'll want to keep him away from other dogs anyway as it is contagious. I hope this helps, and that Toby is feeling better soon!

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.

This sounds like he may have an upper respiratory condition. This could be something as common as kennel cough, especially if you take Bakster to dog parks or if he has contact with other dogs. Usually, kennel cough is self-limiting, ie goes away within 3-4 weeks without treatment. It is caused by a number of different virusesw and bacteria, the most well-known being Bordetella bronchiseptica. Treatment is only necessary if the coughing get s excessive, and/or Bakster gets a fever or otherwise appears ill. You should take Bakster to a vet for an exam if he shows any signs of breathing problems, lethargy, not eating and/or drinking. Treatment for upper respiratory disease consists of cough medicine and antibiotics if indicated.