My senior dog's noisy breathing after kennel cough: Vet check?

The cough can linger for a couple weeks. If he is otherwise acting normal than it may just take a little more time for the cough to resolve. If you notice any lethargy, anorexia, difficulty breathing, or fever than I he should definitely be rechecked.

I recommend bringing him to a veterinarian and having them listen to his chest. This may be respiratory or heart related but having a veterinarian auscultate them is the first step. It may require x-rays to determine what it going on also. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Pete! Was Pete put on antibiotics when he was seen? Kennel cough is caused by many viral, bacterial or mycoplasma organisms. There is only the ONE vaccine for Bordatella. A lot of dogs sadly get a different bacteria or virus that causes the kennel cough signs. Kennel cough is very goose honkey. Since Pete is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is pacing at night and is 12 years old he should be rechecked. I would recommend X-rays of his chest. If his heart and lungs look clear then either put him on antibiotics and a cough suppressant if he isn't on anything or change the medications since he isn't improving and is actually getting worse. I worry about older dogs with possible kennel cough. The young and the old have increased risk for kennel cough to progress to pneumonia. I hope this helps and I wish Pete the very best!

This does not sound like a typical Kennel cough, which is usually responsive to antibiotics within 3-4 days, and then goes away after stopping medication in about 10 days time. There is something else going on here, which could include any of the following: an underlying heart condition (the heart and lungs are very much involved with each other), laryngeal paralysis (causes coughing in young adult dogs but not as common as other disorders), lung parasite, fungal infection of the lungs. You will have to get some testing done at this point to determine what the underlying cause is so that we know how best to treat Bruno moving forward. I would recommend starting with chest x-rays through your vet. I hope that Bruno feels better soon! Best wishes and take care.

It sounds like they had a touch of kennel cough which is like dog flu. What can happen when treating with antibiotics that if the course finishes too soon it can make them better but hasn't completely killed the bugs then it recurs. I would visit your vet as you may need a longer course or different antibiotic.

With his consistent symptoms, I recommend having him seen by the vet. There are many causes of respiratory symptoms, including heart disease, and I’m a bit concerned about his decreased exercise tolerance. Cantona may need medication to manage what’s driving his symptoms. Your vet will likely recommend chest x-rays to different a respiratory problem from a heart problem. Hope this helps!

It's possible that the inflammation in the airways just has not completely resolved, and the pred was helping to decrease that inflammation. If he's still eating and drinking, and he's active and happy, I wouldn't be too concerned yet. Give it another 5 days or so, if the cough is still persisting, followup with your vet. If his breathing is labored at all, or if he seems depressed or has a decreased appetite, please followup with your vet. As for being contagious, he may still be. I would wait at least another week before having him around other dogs. Here some more information you may find helpful. https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/kennel-cough/ Thanks for asking PetCoach!