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My puppy's cough is worse after vet medicine. Should I worry?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | 2 months and 28 days old | 8 lbs

My puppy has had a cough for about 3 days now we went to our local vet and the gave him a shot some cough syrup and Clavamox I started give him the medicine yesterday he is suppose take it ever 12 hours but since he has taken the medicine his cough has got worst? How is that is it because of the medicine or should I take him to the hospital?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Chad Brown, DVM

Answered By Chad Brown, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 8th, 2018

Thank you for taking such good care of Milo. Generally speaking, when a veterinarian starts the combination of medications that you are currently giving, it does sometimes take two or three days for the medications to start decreasing the clinical symptoms.

If Milo is eating, drinking, urinating, defecating, and playing normally but just has the bad cough, I would wait another 48 hours before contacting my veterinarian. If, however, your dog is starting to feel lethargic or anorexic, I would contact the veterinarian as soon as possible to either be seen again or possibly get a change of medications to treat the worsening cough.

I hope I have given you some help. Thank you for reaching out to our service.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Ana M, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 25th, 2020

    Thank you for submitting your question regarding Milo. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian today. I worry that the cough is getting worse. He may have an upper respiratory tract infection, but there are more serious causes of coughing. The veterinarian will examine him and may recommend x-rays of his chest. Based on these results, treatment can be started. I hope this information helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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