My puppy coughs after waking or playing. What could it be?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Coughing can be a sign of many conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, among many other possibilities. In a young dog like him, something like kennel cough needs to be considered. I recommend that you have Kingsley evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include thoracic radiographs and bloodwork. Treatment would be dependent on findings. If it is kennel cough often times it resolves with supportive care including antibiotics. Good luck and have a good night!

There are quite a few things that can cause a cough like this. Some common possibilities would include allergies, chronic bronchitis, a collapsing trachea, or heart disease. If the cough has been going on for a while, I would recommend discussing options for further work-up with your vet to help determine what is causing it. Diagnostic testing such as general blood work (a CBC and chemistry panel), chest x-rays, and heartworm testing would all be helpful, if these tests haven't been done already.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Canelo! It is possible that he has kennel cough which can be cause by either a bacterial or viral infection. It is contagious between dogs. The cough sounds loud and goose honking. A lot of the time it is worse when they are resting, Sometimes they cough and gag up white phlegm. Most of the time kennel cough is self limiting and resolves in 2 weeks. But in young puppies some Vets like to start antibiotics to prevent pneumonia. Other causes for a cough is collapsing trachea which can be genetic in Pomeranians but is usually worse with excitement. I'd schedule an appointment with your Vet to have him looked at. Good luck!

If your puppy is coughing, but otherwise feels happy, is eating, playing and very active it could indeed be kennel cough, or lung worm infection or other lung infection. I suggest you take him to a vet for an exam, and since the coughing is excessive, the vet can prescribe an antitussive, antibiotics if needed and anti-inflammatory medication, if necessary.

Hello, and thank you for your question. Kennel cough is definitely a possibility. Do you find that the coughing episodes only happen when they are playing together? Sometimes kennel cough can be exacerbated by excitement so it may still be related. I would try to minimize the play sessions over the next few days, and see if the coughing improves. If it does not, then I would recommend taking your rat terrier to the vet. Kennel cough is contagious so your puppy may need treatment as well if that it is the cause. I hope this helps, and that your pups are feeling better soon!

It is possible he has a sensitive trachea or a condition called tracheal collapse, which is when the trachea briefly narrows in diameter when the pet gets excited or plays. If he is otherwise doing well, then you can monitor him for now for any progressive symptoms. If he starts coughing throughout the day, then a vet visit is needed for further evaluation and x-rays to confirm this suspected diagnosis and to then start treatment. Otherwise he should be fine if he is only doing this after playing with the other dog. Just keep him play time to a moderate level (20-30 mins) to avoid excessive coughing. I hope that Gizmo does well here moving forward. Best wishes and take care!

Congrats on your new puppy, but I'm sorry Kasha isn't doing well! Typically you would see coughing all the time with kennel cough, and an increase of the coughing after exercise. It certainly could be a heart problem if this coughing only occurs after running and he tires easily, but there is a chance it could be a mild case of kennel cough or a respiratory infection. Until you can get him into the vet, rest him as much as possible. Don't let him run around, keep him quiet, and make sure he keeps eating and drinking. If he appears congested, you can try putting him in a room with a humidifier or taking him into the bathroom with you when you take a shower. The steam may help with any congestion. Best of luck.