My dog is coughing heavily but active. Could it be kennel cough?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Bull Terrier | Male | 47 lbs
My pup is coughing heavily. I think it is kennel cough. But he is eating playing and very active. But it is stressing me out
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 13th, 2017
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.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on July 11th, 2017
Hi, this is Dr. Johnson. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Ziggy! My concern for a young puppy with a persistent cough is possible pneumonia. If the cough comes back a second time having chest X-rays done maybe helpful. Pneumonia is treated for several weeks with an antibiotic. We sometimes treat 2 weeks past normal X-rays. Also having some blood work done to look at his white blood cell count may help and a stool sample. Some intestinal parasites pass through the lungs. There are some geographical differences depending where you love, sometime fungal lung infections are prevalent. Again X-rays of his chest and lungs could help determine that. I really hope Wally gets better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on December 18th, 2016
It's possible that the cough could be due to the worms, but it's also possible that he has kennel cough or some other type of upper respiratory infection - these are common problems in puppies this age. This type of infection usually resolves on its own within 7-14 days without treatment, but occasionally antibiotics are needed if the symptoms are severe. If your pup is acting normal otherwise, it should be okay to monitor him for the next several days to see if the cough resolves. If he stops eating, acts very lethargic, or has any difficulty breathing, then I would recommend having him seen by a vet as these can be signs of a more serious infection or even pneumonia. In that case, he may need antibiotics and other prescription medication to treat the problem.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on June 22nd, 2018
This sign might be compatible with kennel cough. This is usually a self limiting infection and in 1 to 2 weeks time will completely disappear without any treatment. However sometime an anti inflammatory medication and an antibiotic treatment is indicated. Your puppy should gradually improve but, given her young age, I recommend a check up at your veterinarian asap. In the meantime I suggest to use a harness instead of a collar to walk her outside to avoid pushing on the inflamed trachea and make her cough even more. Other, less likely, differential diagnosis for cough might include: other respiratory infections (viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal), inflammatory diseases, pulmonary edema, toxic inhalation. Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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