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My dog is hacking with bad breath. Is it kennel cough or serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 1 year and 10 months old | 22 lbs

2yr old Cockapoo bitch, occasionally hacking like she needs to cough something up. Moderately bad breath, can't see or feel any foreign object. No apparent breathing difficulty or noise with respiratory effort Suspect kennel cough. Any warning signs / symptoms that would suggest something else to watch out for please?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on August 10th, 2017

You're correct, these symptoms in a young dog are commonly caused by a bacteria or virus that contributes to the Kennel Cough complex. I would watch out for worsening of a cough, panting even in a cool environment, decrease in appetite, or trouble breathing. Occasionally, the harshness of the cough can cause enough irritation to the trachea that a secondary bacterial infection can get started. If the cough is getting worse, I recommend that Eva see a vet. After examination, the vet can decide if antibiotics or anti-inflammatories are needed for recovery.

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    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 11th, 2018

    This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or eventually to a chronic tracheitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective/kennel cough). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 11th, 2019

    He is probably suffering from an upper respiratory infection. The most common disease causing cough is a viral/bacterial infection called Kennel cough, this disease usually resolves without treatment within a couple weeks but if the cough is too severe it is recommended to go to the vet in order to get cough medicine and antibiotics.

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Related Questions

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She’s been having a hacking cough she’s always kinda done it hear and there but now it’s everyday more then usual
Cough can be caused by an infection, heart problem or lung condition, it is important to first know the cause before treating it as treatment is different from condition to another. The most common disease causing cough is a viral/bacterial infection called Kennel cough, this disease usually resolves without treatment within a couple weeks but if the cough is too severe it is recommended to go to the vet in order to get cough medicine and antibiotics.
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My dog is hacking and has mucus discharge from his nose. He’s acting fine but I’m not sure what’s wrong with him. We adopted him from the pound about 2 weeks ago.
He is probably suffering from an upper respiratory infection. The most common disease causing cough is a viral/bacterial infection called Kennel cough, this disease usually resolves without treatment within a couple weeks but if the cough is too severe it is recommended to go to the vet in order to get cough medicine and antibiotics.
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My Golden Doodle is going on 9 weeks old. He just developed this hacking and coughing. He does it about every 30 min. What could this be?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Coughing can be a sign of many conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, among many other possibilities. In a young dog like him, something like kennel cough needs to be considered. I recommend that you have Kingsley evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include thoracic radiographs and bloodwork. Treatment would be dependent on findings. If it is kennel cough often times it resolves with supportive care including antibiotics. Good luck and have a good night!
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My Boston pug has a cough out of no where. We were at a pet event with a quite a few dogs the day before. My boyfriends dog has been playing with other dogs that have kennel cough. I think that's probably what it is. It's a cough that sometimes lead
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Hello! We just got a puppy last week and noticed today that our older dog seems to be attempting to clear her throat. She has been doing this since she woke up. I too feel a little under the weather as if I am getting a cold. Could my older dog have
Hello, sorry to hear about your dog. There is definitely a possibility that your puppy may have introduces something such as kennel cough to your other dog. Most often with kennel cough you will hear a dry cough, hacking cough. Kennel cough most often resolves on its own, but if his signs persist, visit your veterinarian for further assessment. You may also want to ensure your puppy is fully vaccinated and monitor for him developing a cough as well. Hope this helps.
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My dog is hacking but not vomiting. Occasionally some clear liquid comes up. She is eating and drinking as normal but continues to hack. This has been gong on for over 12 hours now. She is a 6 month old golden retriever puppy
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Dory! There are a few things that come to mind for causes of Dory's symptoms: the more common reason is kennel cough, which is a tracheal cough from bacterial or viral infections. The cough is "goose honk" like and is worse at night and with activity. The dog usually eats and drinks. The cough can trigger the gag reflex which causes the dog to make a gagging sound and motion that sometimes is productive. Dogs can get kennel cough from boarding, grooming, doggie day care, dog parks, playing with other dogs or even from us if we were around a coughing dog. The other possibility is she ate something that irritated her esophagus like a raw hide. I would have her seen by your Vet Wednesday. Most vets treat kennel cough with antibiotics and anti-cough medication. It usually resolves with in 2 weeks. I wish you and Dory the best!
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Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Coughing can be a sign of many conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, among many other possibilities. The coughing could definitely mean that she got kennel cough from the other dog. I recommend that you have Ash evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include thoracic radiographs and bloodwork. Treatment would be dependent on findings. Good luck and have a good night!
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