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Hi Jess,

This sounds like it could be a case of kennel cough virus. This virus usually isn't too serious unless the immune system is weakend and pneumonia takes hold. Right now, you dog doesn't sound overly sick, but the fact that excitement/activity triggers a bout of coughing make me think that this is the virus. This usually passes in about three weeks, so just continue to keep an eye on your dog. Check out Kennel Cough in Working Canines to watch a video of a dog with kennel cough. You can compare the way your own dog sounds when he's having an episode and see if it sounds similar.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info helps. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi there my rotviler has been coughing whenever he gets exited, it sounds like he is trying to get something out his throat. After this which lasts about 20seconds, he is off being his usual self again, even during the cough he is still running around usual. So it does not seem that it is bothering him. He is eating and drinking normally. There is also a whitish colored snotty substance which irritates him in this nose, he often blows it out. This has been going on for about 2months now.

What is this all? Is it serous? Should i get it seen to?

-- Contributed by: Jess

Hi Sarah, and welcome to the site.

As far as I know kennel cough isn't transferable to humans, but it's still a good idea to wash your hands before handling the baby after you've handled the dogs. You may want to follow up with your pediatrician to double check this.

Since kennel cough is a virus, there is not actual treatment for it. It just has to run it's course of about two to three weeks.

We have some excellent information on this topic that I think you'll find helpful. Check out:

You'll find an explanation about kennel cough, tips to make your dogs more comfortable and a video of what a dog with kennel cough sounds like.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope you find this info useful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

helllo i am the one who just asked the questions about my pregnant female with kennel cough i also forgot to mention that i have a 2 month old baby is it a risk for my child if they have the kennel cough?

-- Contributed by: sarah

hello so i just got back from holidays and my dogs got thier shots up to date right before i left including the one for kennel cough and now they are both having symptoms and also the people at the kennels said that they got stuck together so the female is probably pregnant. what should i do and will the treatment for the kennel cough harm her babies?please help

-- Contributed by: Sarah

Hello, and welcome.

It sounds as though your vet is treating your Shih Tzu for a respiratory infection, and this could well be the case. How long has your dog had this cough? The kennel cough virus lasts about three weeks, but it could take longer for a senior pet's immune system to defeat the virus. Sometimes the virus (which just has to run its course) opens the opportunity for a secondary bacterial infection to set in, and this could be what your vet is treating with antibiotics since this medication isn't effective against a virus.

Since your dog is having difficulty getting enough air, I think it would be prudent to go back to your vet and ask him/her to check for fluid build up in the lungs. Your dog may require more intensive treatment than you can provide at the moment, so it's best to find out exactly what's going on right now.

Thanks for your question. I hope this info helps somehow, and that your pet makes a full recovery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We have a Schitzu about 16-17 years old. He has had a cought for some time--was told he had problems with a collapsed trachea. Sometimes when he coughs, he coughs up white mucous; he has also had white mucous from his nose. He has also vomited--I think perhaps caused from the coughing. It almost seems as if he is not getting enough air at times; he will hold his nose up so as to straighten his throat. He is on the second round of antiobiotics. I have also been giving him yogurt and an antihistamine as ok'ed by the vet. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Bonnie's Mom,

This just might be a case of kennel cough. The virus is airborn, so some dogs pick it up even if they haven't been to the kennel lately. Check out our article on Kennel Cough. It contains a video you can listen to and compare your dog's cough.

If this is kennel cough, it usually heals on it's own within two to three weeks. That said, the following articles offer some home care tips to make your dog more comfortable.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info helps.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My 4 year old chihuahua mix dog Bonnie has a cough. She hasn't been in a kennel for at least a month. She is coughing up a white foam. Can you help me? She is eating normally and has no other symptoms.

-- Contributed by: Bonnie's mom

Hi Toye,

This could be the beginning of cold or even kennel cough, but hopefully it won't be too serious. Colds are caused by viruses, so you basically have to wait for them to run their course. The immune system eventually overcomes the virus and symptoms fade. That said, it is possible for a secondary respiratory infection to set in while the immune system is occupied fighting the virus. For now, you should keep a close eye on your puppy. Keep her warm, and make sure she continues to eat and drink. Water is especially important for keeping those mucus secretions thin and fluid. The mucus should look clear or slightly cloudy. Signs of a deeper problem would be indicated by dark green or brownish-gold mucus, and difficulty breathing. If you notice these signs, call your vet right away.

In the meantime, the following articles contain home care tips that should help make your puppy more comfortable.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope your puppy recovers quickly. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My 8 month old miniature poodle spent a few hours outdoors in cold weather. The next day he started sneezing. Is this the start of a cold? His eyes are watery, but no mucous. what should I do?

-- Contributed by: Toye

Hi Sarai,

I'm so sorry to hear your puppy is sick. It is also very common for a vet to delay vaccinations so the immune system isn't overtaxed while it is fighting off an illness. Unfortunately, some respiratory infections can be fatal if they are allowed to progress unchecked.

Your vet should have provided you with an antibiotic for your puppy, just in case the infection is bacterial in nature. Giving your puppy this medication exactly as directed until it is completely gone should help her get well again. You'll also want to make sure she is kept out of drafts and continues to eat a healthy diet and drink enough water. All of that said, don't hesitate to take your pup to the clinic if she appears to grow worse instead of better. Hopefully her situation isn't too serious and she will be well soon.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and please keep us posted.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi. I recently bought a ... tzu puppy. I took her to the vet so she can get her vaccines but the vet told us she couldn't get her injections because she was sick. She said she has a respiratory infection. What has me worried is that the vet said if she doesn't get better within a week I should take her to the hospital. can my puppy die of respiratory infection? what can I do to have my dog healthy again?

-- Contributed by: Sarai

Hi Jessica,

Hmmm...the vet doesn't think this is kennel cough? That recurring cough that sounds like he's trying to bring up mucous is often a sign of that virus. There are also many strains of kennel cough, so your dog could be picking up different strains.

In any case, I do not believe a suppressant would be helpful since it would be better for the phlegm to come out. I suggest you check out the following articles and try one of the comfort measures to help loosen your dog's congestion. Even if they don't help his case, they certainly won't hurt him.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this advice proves helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We have a two year old Great Dane who gets a productive cough when it gets cold out. We have taken him to the vet and the have ran tests and completed exams and they tell us he does not have a problem. They told us to get a humidifer and that did not work. We went back and they had us try mucinex and that did not work. He seems to have problems coughing hard enough to clear all the mucus out of his throat. The then gets sick or nervous and shakes, does not eat, has loose stool and he just wants to lay down. Do you have any suggestions as to what we could do for him? would a dog coat help or are there safe cough supressants for dogs? Thanks!

-- Contributed by: Jessica

My lab mix has been coughing for over a month now. My husband took her to the vet 2 weeks ago and the vet said she had reverse sneezing. She recommended benadryl. The vet checked her heart and said everything was perfectly healthy. We have given her benadryl, however my dog is now having a productive cough, with mucus and blood coming up. We hate to take her to the vet again. Any suggestions?

Hi Jennifer,

I think that since the symptoms are increasing, it's important to take your dog back to the vet for further examination. It may be beneficial to do a chest scan. The blood might be coming from the stomach, but it may also be coming from the lungs. It's important to narrow down the source in order to decide on an effective treatment.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Jennifer
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