My dog finished kennel cough antibiotics but still coughs, vet visit?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Our dog has had antibiotics for kennel cough. They finished on Friday last week but he still has a bit of a cough should we take him back to the vets
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 13th, 2015
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.
16Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on October 25th, 2017
Poor Lucky! I'm sorry to hear that he's sick. Kennel cough usually runs its course in 7-14 days even without treatment, and the duration of illness is typically quite a bit shorter with antibiotics. So I'm concerned that he's still coughing so much at this point - even without any treatment, he should have gotten over his cough by now. Rarely, kennel cough can progress to a more serious infection such as pneumonia. It's also possible that Lucky has some other medical condition that is contributing to his cough, such as heart disease or chronic bronchitis. I would recommend taking him back to the vet for a recheck since he's still sick - your vet may want to try a different antibiotic, or may recommend some diagnostic testing such as blood work or chest x-rays to get a better idea of what's going on. In the meantime, you can try bringing him into the bathroom with you while you take a hot shower. The steam and humidity often help to break up congestion and may temporarily help him to feel a bit better until you are able to see the vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on August 10th, 2017
You should call your vet and give him/her an update. Your dog could also have a collapsing trachea or heart disease causing the cough. It would be a good idea to take an x-ray of her chest to look for abnormalities.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on March 24th, 2019
I would recommend bringing Milo back to the veterinarian if he is coughing. A virus can last 2 weeks but my concern is with how young he is and small he is. If he developed pneumonia it is important to catch early. Your veterinarian can listen to Milo and see if a change in medication is necessary. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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