My dog has a persistent cough, lethargy, and pale gums. What's wrong?

Oh no. Poor guy. If he has unclear lungs and labored breathing, then that means that he likely has either fluid or blood in his lungs. Also a mass in the lungs is also possible depending on what the x-rays looked like. If his gums are pale it either means he is losing blood internally, his red blood cells are being destroyed by an immune mediated condition, or he is in shock. This sounds serious unfortunately and your pet is considered to be highly unstable. I would recommend taking Harvey back in to a vet right away for overnight supportive care (i.e. oxygen, fluid therapy, etct) until the rest of his bloodwork comes back in. Also an ER vet will be able to run tests right away in house to quickly assess his condition so that we can decide on further treatment/care for Harvey. I am so sorry your pet Harvey is so ill and hope that you can diagnose his problem quickly so that you can decide on what needs to be done next. Best of luck and take care.

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.

You might ask your veterinarian if the X-rays could be reviewed by a radiologist. While the resolution that the forum pictures allow makes them a bit difficult to interpret, I am concerned that the X-rays do not appear normal, and she may have a more serious underlying condition. It may be that she has some underlying heart disease, cancer, or an infection that requires a more broad spectrum of antibiotic. I agree the blood work you've attached is unremarkable. Was a CBC performed as well? Check back with your vet about a radiology review, and a recheck exam as well. A consult with a cardiologist may be recommended, depending on the radiologist's opinion. I'm sorry I don't have better news, or a solution to offer you to try at home, but I think you need to circle back and followup with your vet on this. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor guy. I would first be inclined to ask for chest radiographs to be taken to look for internal causes for the cough such as bronchitis, heart disease or primary lung disease. I am not sure what kind of medication he was placed on, but for most coughs we typically will try an antibiotic first if it seems to be infectious and then go with more diagnostics if things don’t improve. I would also ask the vet to check for any abnormal lung or heart sounds on physical exam. I hope that you can get to the bottom of Pretty boys cough soon! That is a long time to have a cough, is hopefully he can stabilize soon. Take care.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor guy! is your pet a dog or a cat? What breed and how old? It is helpful to know a bit more. If he has been on TWO antibiotics and zyrtec since May and it has returned while on these medications I would have him rechecked by your Vet. I would want a chest X-ray and consider doing different medications based on the recheck exam and X-rays. There are many reason for a cough: genetic condition where the trachea collapses, larygneal disease, allergies, heart worm disease, other parasites, allergic disease that needs steroids, cancer, heart enlargement or heart failure. I wish you the best!

Poor Dagul! I am sorry that he doesn't feel well. Looking at the blood work his white blood count and kidney values are all elevated. The kidney values could be elevated simply due to dehydration but I cannot say for sure since I cannot see him myself. The white blood count being so high makes me concerned about a severe upper respiratory infection or even pneumonia. These blood results look like they were done in February so they really aren't very accurate now. I would strongly recommend have him seen again by your vet if possible and recheck the blood work. Your vet will be able to do a thorough exam and let you know whether or not he has a good chance of making it. Your vet may even recommend x-rays to ensure there is no tumors in the lungs causing issues as well. I am really concerned about him. I would also make sure he is continuing to eat and drink to help keep his hydration levels up. I hope this helps and he starts to feel better soon!

This is tough. I practice in Arizona where Valley Fever is common and Rex does have many of the signs. Bloodwork will also show high globulins and mildly high white blood cell count if that helps. If you have been in this area at all in Rex’s life, it’s worth pursuing. (Titers can be negative and it still be the cause.) On a dog this sick, I usually also start an anti inflammatory dose of steroid which we think helps the fluconazole penetrate and provides the more immediate improvements of our treatment. A good broad spectrum Dewormer in case of lung worms or abnormal parasite migration is worth a shot. I also must note that though he is young, we cannot rule out cancer- horrible though it is to contemplate. Please feel free to consult with me using the link below if that would be helpful. Best wishes to you and Rex.