My dog was lethargic and limping, now has a strange cough. What to do?

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!

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!

These are alarming symptoms indeed. For an older dog with coughing and lethargy, my top suspicions would be: heart disease, heartworm disease (if he is not current on heartworm prevention) primary lung cancer, pneumonia or a heart based tumor. He is at risk for all of these based on his breed. I would highly recommend taking him in to your vet for bloodwork analysis and chest radiographs to properly diagnose him based on the many possible causes stated above. Poor guy. He sounds very unstable for now and the quicker you can get him in to a vet the better. I hope that this is something you can treat for, but the odds of it being something major are high in an older large breed dog. I send you all my best in getting Casper well again. Take care and best wishes.

It sounds as though Vito has been through quite a bit over the past week! It is concerning that he is now lethargic, not eating, and coughing, after being normal for a week after his procedures. My main concern is that he may have developed kennel cough or canine influenza after being in a shelter situation. To answer your question, yes, I do think you should take him to the vet for evaluation. In addition to a physical exam, Vito may need to have chest x-rays taken or blood testing performed. I hope this helps and that he's feeling better soon!

Excessive thirst can be a sign of many different diseases including liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, infections, Cushing's Addison's, etc. Have your vet take a look at him to determine the cause. Your vet can run lab-work to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. The limping may be unrelated and your vet can examine his leg to try to figure out the cause. Hope Hunter feels better soon!

These signs could be compatible with a respiratory tract inflammation/infection or potentially could be related to heart disease. Considering the lethargy, a systemic sign, I would recommend a check up as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause and establish appropriate treatment. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I am sorry to hear that Ivy is doing poorly. I am concerned with her health based on your description. She could have some serious systemic disease (kidney failure, liver failure, cancer, etc.), heart disease, serious infection, etc. I would strongly recommend having her seen by a veterinarian and have her blood tested to help better determine what the problem could be. I am sorry you are going through this and I sure hope Ivy gets better soon. She may need to be hospitalized depending on what the problem is. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.