Why is my dog sleepy and coughing after boarding? Should I worry?

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.

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!

Yes, he may have contracted kennel cough. If he has been vaccinated he should only get a mild infection. If he stops eating and becomes very lethargic then I would take him in. Otherwise just keep him quiet, give plenty of fluids and be patient. It may take up to two weeks for him to get better. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Diesel.

Hi Nadia. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Chances are Tortuga has kennel cough. The vaccine is not 100% protective (just like our flu vaccine) so even if a dog has been vaccinated they can still get kennel cough. The symptoms are usually milder and the course of the disease is shorter in dogs that have been vaccinated versus those that haven't so giving the vaccine is definitely warranted. I suggest you just monitor him for now since he seems to be acting normally. If the coughing gets worse or he starts showing other symptoms then get him to your vet for an exam: * ocular and/or nasal discharge * vomiting/gagging/retching * not eating * lethargy Of course, if you are worried you should take him to your vet for an exam now. There is no harm in doing that. Sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry. Hope this helps. Best wishes!

Kennel cough doesn't typically cause wheezing while sleeping, but the other symptoms are common. If Mocha has a normal activity level and doesn't have any breathing issues when awake, it can probably wait. But if you are at all concerned about the way he is breathing, then he should be checked out ASAP.

He could have gotten kennel cough while he was boarded, which is not unusual in situations where dogs are kept in fairly close quarters. I recommend getting your dog in to see your vet as he may need a prescription for cough suppressant and/or antibiotics to help him recover more quickly and easily.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The diarrhea is very common after boarding and can be related to either the food or the stress/excitement of boarding. The thirst is usually secondary (that is, to keep up with the water loss of the diarrhea.) The antibiotics Tylan and metronidazole are commonly prescribed for diarrhea because they restore the gut bacteria balance and have some anti-inflammatory effects in the gut as well. I expect that part o clear up in a few days. The cough could still be kennel cough. “Kennel cough” is a syndrome that can be caused by about a dozen viruses and bacteria. The current kennel cough vaccine only covers one bacterial cause. If it is mild, you may not need to do anything. Most dogs clear kennel cough on their own within 4 weeks. If she is not eating, is lethargic, the cough is severe or keeps her (or you) up at night, you need to see your vet for antibiotics and/or a cough suppressant. Of course coughing can also be: pneumonia, fungal infection, heart disease, bronchitis, and others. So if you are worried at all, see your vet. Best wishes to you and the pups!