My 6-month-old puppy has a dry cough. Could it be kennel cough?

Question

My 6 month old puppy has a cough that sounds close to a gagging dry cough. It comes in as little as every 15 minutes up to an hour. I adopted my baby from an animal shelter a week ago and the cough just started yesterday. It goes on through the night but typically wakes her up one or two times. She is still eating, drinking and playing like usual. Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 6 months and 12 days old | 9 lbs

Ann Dion, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Although there are many causes of coughing (heart disease, collapsing trachea, pneumonia, etc.), the most likely cause for the coughing given Emmie's history is 'Kennel Cough' or Infectious tracheitis. This is a viral infection that causes irritation in the trachea and a cough. It can become very severe such that the coughing prevents eating/sleeping and leads to weight loss and depression. If the coughing is severe you can ask your vet about anti-tussives (anti-cough medication). Sometimes this infection leads to a secondary bacterial infection, and the cough becomes 'wet' and at this stage antiboitics are required. I recommend a visit to your vet, x-rays might be required depending on how the lungs sound when your vet listens to the chest. Best of luck with Emmie.

My 6-month-old puppy has a dry cough. Could it be kennel cough?

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