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My dog is licking lips, drooling, and coughing at night. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 7 years and 2 months old | 65 lbs

hello. my 7 y/o hound mix has been licking her lips excessively, and drooling more than usual only at night. the first night she was coughing. could this be canine influenza?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 25th, 2017

Oh no, poro Kali! It sounds like she could be nauseous, as that causes dogs to lick their lips excessively and drool. It may be she ate something that upset her stomach, or she could have a GI illness. I can give you a home remedy to try to see if that helps her. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in her normal diet. If she continues to have these symptoms, or gets additional ones such as vomiting, lethargy, or anorexia, then I would have her seen by a vet. As for the coughing, monitor it for now. Should the coughing continue, she could be suffering from a respiratory infection or cardiac disease, and then she should see a vet.

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    Answered By Jacqueline Nobles, DVM, DACVECC

    Veterinarian, Board-Certified Emergency/Critical Care Specialist

    Published on

    Typically, canine influenza manifests as coughing and nasal discharge in dogs. In this case, it seems less likely. The drooling and excessive licking indicate nausea which is likely secondary to a metabolic (liver or kidney) or gastrointestinal disease (i.e. Intestines or pancreas).

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