Why is my dog coughing deeply and getting worse? When to see a vet?

This could be an upper respiratory infection such as kennel cough , but could also be a sign of heart disease, especially if Chico is an older dog. Another very likely possibility is that Chico has a collapsed trachea. You will need to take Chico to your vet for an exam and x-rays (which will rule out collapsed trachea and lung edema caused by congestive heart failure). Your vet;s exam will also detect any problems with the heart, that may be causing the cough. Please cschedule an appointment with your vet soon.

Poor guy. Coughing a small breed older dog can be caused by several things including: underlying heart disease, chronic bronchitis, tracheal collapse, or even neoplasia. The first step here would be to get Dino Diaz seen by your vet and have chest x-rays done to help narrow down the possibilities here. Once we have a proper diagnosis, then proper treatment can be recommended to hopefully reduce or even completely resolve the cough. In most cases though, the cough can only be reduced, which helps the pet become more comfortable and have a better quality of life. Schedule an appt with your vet soon. I hope that Dino Diaz does well moving forward and that his cough improves. Best of luck and take care.

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.

I always think a cough is worth evaluating. Some reasons are more benign than others, but it is always a good idea to know why your dog is coughing so you can be aware of how it may progress and prevent future problems. The first step is to have your veterinarian examine Scooter and take x-rays of his chest. That will evaluate his trachea for tracheal collapse (https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1527), his lungs for evidence of bronchitis (https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3151), his heart for evidence of heart disease, as well as a number of other conditions. Each of those diseases has different treatments and potential complications, so we want to know what to expect in the future if Scooter has any of those diseases. And sometimes treatment will really help them feel better even if you think his lack of activity is normal for him, it may be due to his cough, so treating it may be very beneficial. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

This type can commonly caused by kennel cough. It is usually self-limiting, meaning the body will clear the infection by itself, but if the cough persists for 24-48 hours, then I recommend that Murray get checked out by a vet for antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to hopefully shorten the time of infection. Less common causes of this type of cough would include heart disease, lung disease, abnormalities of the trachea, among a few others. If you notice that Murray is panting a lot of having trouble breathing, has a decreased appetite, or starts vomiting, then he should see a vet immediately.

If he was kenneled or groomed recently or has been around other dogs, it may be kennel cough. His breed is also predisposed to developing heart disease or a collapsing trachea. Shadow should be examined by your vet if the cough is worsening or if he is developing other symptoms such as lethargy, exercise intolerance or difficulty breathing. Chest xrays can be done to diagnose respiratory or cardiac disease.

I agree that infection is less likely in Chandler if he is to around other animals. At Chandler's age I would be most concerned about heart disease causing his cough. In a Jack Russel terrier a collapsing trachea or even asthma could also be causing these signs. Unfortunately, cancer can also be a cause of coughing in an older dog. I definitely recommend you take Chandler to your veterinarian for an X-ray and examination. If heart disease is present medications can be started to reduce the cough. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Chandler is feeling better soon!