Why is my older dog coughing phlegm, lethargic, and breathing hard?

Question

my dog has been coughing up felm, he doesnt come when called or greet at the gate anymore but lays in bed instead and its as if hes depressed,he has trouble breathing because hes a little bit fat but nothing major and his athoritis never stopped him from running around but hes not motivated to do it anymore, hes an 8year old bordercollie x germanshepheard we are mainly worried about the lack of responce and flem and whats causing it. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 7 years and 3 months old | 58 lbs

Destini R. Holloway, DVM · Accepted Answer

These are alarming symptoms indeed. For an older dog with coughing and lethargy, my top suspicions would be: heart disease, heartworm disease (if he is not current on heartworm prevention) primary lung cancer, pneumonia or a heart based tumor. He is at risk for all of these based on his breed. I would highly recommend taking him in to your vet for bloodwork analysis and chest radiographs to properly diagnose him based on the many possible causes stated above. Poor guy. He sounds very unstable for now and the quicker you can get him in to a vet the better. I hope that this is something you can treat for, but the odds of it being something major are high in an older large breed dog. I send you all my best in getting Casper well again. Take care and best wishes.

Why is my older dog coughing phlegm, lethargic, and breathing hard?

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