Why is my heartworm positive Pomeranian having a dry cough lately?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Pomeranian | Male | unneutered | 5 lbs
Hello I have a question. I have a 7 year old Pomeranian and he has been coughing a lot the past few days. It sounds more like a dry cough like he may have something stuck or wants to vomit but nothing happens. It sometimes happens when he is running around and he starts coughing or when he wakes up. He tested positive for heart warms and is taking antibiotics right now.
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 28th, 2017
If he is heartworm positive then the coughing is likely associated with it. Heartworms live in the pulmonary artery which is what takes the blood from the heart to the lungs to get oxygen. They can cause significant decrease in the amount of blood flow as well as they are really inflammatory. Their presence makes the lungs really angry and that causes cough. In later stages the heart can be so damaged that they can go into heart failure, which can also cause cough. I would highly encourage you to schedule a follow up appointment with your veterinarian to discuss this disease and how to treat it. I would also recommend an x-ray of the chest to see how much damage has already occurred. In the meantime I would encourage you to keep him on leash and not running around where he might cause more damage. Best of luck to you and Max! I hope he recovers well! Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on September 20th, 2017
Hi I do not know the age of your dog because this plays a factor is the causes for coughing. Coughing can be as simple as Kennel cough, if he has been around other dogs or to a vet, groomer or dog park recently. It can also be caused a collapsing trachea, which is common in small dogs, and can vary on how serious it gets. Or it could be heart disease or cancer. I see from your location that heart worm is quite possible as well. I would take him to the vet for a heart worm test which is a quick blood test. He would be coughing if he had adult worms in him. Only your vet can determine the cause of the coughing and I would take him as soon as possible to go over treatment options for him. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on August 4th, 2018
Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Unfortunately, there is no classic cough for a heartworm dog. A cough can be caused by a primary pulmonary disorder like inflammation of the lungs (bronchitis) or infection in the lungs (pneumonia, kennel cough, the flu) or a parasite (heartworms). A cough can also be caused by a primary heart disorder like congestive heart failure. If your pet has not been on heartworm prevention, it is possible it can be heartworms but if your pet has been to day cares, dog parks or around other dogs, it is possible it can be an infection. I recommend visiting your veterinarian to perform a full physical exam and determine if xrays are warranted or a heartworm test. And ultimately, if any treatments are needed. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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