My new dog is coughing, lethargic, and not eating. Vet needed?

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.

Poor Baby! I am sorry she isn't feeling good. The symptoms you have mentioned make me concerned that Baby may have some sort of respiratory issue-kennel cough, pneumonia. I would recommend contacting your regular vet and arrange for her to be seen today. Advise them she has just come from a shelter situation, as repsiratory diseases can be quite contagious. They will likely ask for you to keep Baby in the car until they are ready to bring her into an exam room. Your vet will do a thorough exam, listen to Baby's heart and lungs. They may recommend some diagnostics such as X-rays and bloodwork too. Depending on the issues identified treatment may range (assuming it is a respiratory issue) from oral medications and rest at home, to hospitalization with IV fluids, oxygen therapy and injectable medications. I hope Baby starts to feel better soon!

It sounds like your dog picked up a severe upper respiratory tract infection. This could be kennel cough, but also canine influenza or pneumonia. Please take him to your veterinarian for an exam. Since he is shivering, and lethargic, this could be a life-threatening condition.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Luna. If there is nothing stuck in her throat, then I worry that she is coughing due to a respiratory tract infection. Has her veterinarian discussed the possibility of an upper respiratory tract infection or the more serious case of pneumonia? She may need antibiotics. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian again. It is worrisome that she still will not eat. Based on her exam findings, she may need to have x-rays of her chest and laboratory work done. It is important to determine why she is not feeling well so that she can be helped. I hope that this information helps!

Depending on your location, there may be confirmed cases of Canine Influenza in your area. This is a potential cause for the cough. The flu will typically present similar to as it does in people, with a fever, cough, lethargy, inappetance, and often a nasal discharge. It has the potential to progress to pneumonia. There is no specific treatment for the flu, only supportive care and antibiotics if secondary pneumonia develops. I use the rule if a cough does not improve, or worsens, over the course of 48 hours, and is accompanied by lethargy, decreased appetite, difficulty breathing, and vomiting or diarrhea, then the pet should be seen. With the recent outbreaks of Canine Influenza I would certainly try to have him seen by his veterinarian.

I would not be worried just yet. Even though he was fully vaccinated he could still have acquired kennel cough (bordetella). That vaccine is not 100% effective. If they have been vaccinated against it and they do end up getting kennel cough usually the symptoms are less severe and the course of the disease is shorter so having the vaccine is worthwhile. Was he vaccinated for influenza (flu)? Again, not a 100% protective vaccine (just like out flu vaccine). This could be more serious if he caught the flu. Just monitor him for worsening signs - not eating, extreme lethargy, increased coughing, not drinking, ocular/nasal discharge, etc. If you notice any of those signs then I would take him to your vet for an exam. A little bit tired and mild coughing is not too worrisome at this stage. Hope this helps. Best wishes.