Why is my 11-month-old dog sneezing and coughing but acting normal?

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!

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, I would recommend you take Luna into see her veterinarian soon. The symptoms she is experiencing such as trying to clear her throat, may actually be a cough. Coughing and wheezing can be indicative of an upper respiratory infection. She may need chest x-rays to confirm an upper respiratory infection and may be placed on antibiotics. I hope this helps and I wish you and Luna the best!

Hello, sorry to hear about Luna. Most dogs with upper respiratory infections are treated with antibiotics as these tend to be bacterial in origin. If her signs are worsening then she may need to see a veterinarian to obtain medications for these. Unlike humans, dogs do not typically get influenza or the flu, and it they do, it tends to be much more severe than it is in humans. In the interim, you can try to run a hot shower and have Luna sit in the bathroom to see if this helps decongest her. Otherwise, make an appointment with your veterinarian and have her evaluated for an upper respiratory infection. Other causes of nasal congestion/coughing and nose discharge may include kennel cough, tooth root abscess, or even some form of mass in her nose, especially in an 11 year old dog. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Poor Lady! I'm sorry that she's been sneezing - but the good news is, it's far more likely that she has a simple respiratory infection vs. something serious or life-threatening. If she's current on her vaccinations and acting normal otherwise, there's virtually no chance that she has distemper - this is mainly a disease of unvaccinated puppies, and affected dogs are extremely sick. Nasal tumors do occur in dogs, but would be statistically unlikely in a fairly young dog like Lady. We worry more about a tumor if there is sneezing that has been going on for weeks or months at a time with no improvement, especially with foul-smelling green or yellow discharge, or bleeding from the nose. I would recommend having her examined by a vet to help determine the problem, and hopefully put your mind at ease. If she does have an infection, your vet can prescribe antibiotics or other medication if needed to treat the problem and make sure that the sneezing resolves.

It could be a sign of allergic reaction. If your Luna is very itchy and now vomiting or trying to be sick, you should get her seen by your local vets. She may need an antihistamine or anti-inflammatory medication to get back to normal quickly.

This is suspicious of kennel cough, which is an infection of the upper respiratory system. Kennel cough is most suspicious if Lexie has been in contact with other dogs in the past month or so. If Lexie has not had contact with other dogs, then the cough is likely due to something else. They can develop a cough and runny nose with conditions like distemper, allergies, heart worm, heart disease and lung worm. For this reason, it's best to have Lexie checked out by a veterinarian. They will be able to determine the cause of this and prescribe the appropriate treatment. It's definitely doesn't appear to be an emergency though, so you are safe to wait a day or two to see if it gets better (can happen with some viral diseases). I hope that helps and Lexie gets better soon.

This could be a sign of many things including an infectious diseases (Kennel cough), a foxtail or grass awn caught in the throat or it could be a normal reverse sneeze. Your veterinarian will be able to examine Luna's throat to see if there is something stuck in there or test her for an infection. She will also be able to prescribe appropriate treatment or medications.