All dogs will cough on occasion, but regular hacking and gagging might have you concerned. We all want your canine best friend to feel their best, so you’re not alone in your worry!
Coughing in young dogs has several potential causes, including:
- Irritated respiratory passages due to allergies, dust or smoke
- Upper respiratory infections, including bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections
- Inhaled foreign objects like food or plant fragments
- Choking
- Pneumonia
- Heartworm disease
- Heart disease, such as congestive heart failure secondary to a heart birth defect
- Tumor in the lungs or airways (rare at this age)
If your puppy has one episode of dry coughing or coughs something up, it’s okay to monitor them at home. Sometimes, water simply goes down the wrong pipe or your puppy briefly coughs on their own saliva. If you’re noticing your puppy coughing multiple times per day or more than usual, contact your VCA care team. Your VCA care team can help you determine the cause of coughing and recommend treatment options.
Usually, a cough in a young dog isn’t serious and will resolve with time, rest and sometimes antibiotics. If your puppy is acting lethargic or depressed, has discharge from their eyes and nose, is vomiting or coughing up foam, or is sneezing, contact your VCA care team. A wet, phlegmy cough is more likely to be serious in puppies than a dry or honking cough. Deep, wet coughs may indicate that your puppy has developed pneumonia.
While waiting to see your veterinarian, keep your puppy calm and relaxed. Increased activity may exacerbate their cough. Avoid putting leashes around the neck, as this may also stimulate your pet’s cough. You can turn on a humidifier (no essential oils or fragrances added) to help soothe your their respiratory passages.
A young dog who is having labored breathing, gasping for breath, has a pale or bluish hue to their gums, is weak or is collapsing should be seen by an emergency veterinarian immediately.
Don’t forget that you can always access Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional 24/7 with the myVCA™ app.*
Find out more about how veterinarians test for different causes of cough.
*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
