Hopefully you can get some answers on this next vet visit.

When Myndi was first diagnosed with "aging kidney issues" - not kidney failure, she was drinking huge amounts of water, her appetite was still good, but she was losing weight. After she went on the K/D low protein dog food, she was pretty much back to normal. All of that transpired about 3 years ago and she continues to do good on that maintenance diet.

Of course another thing comes to mind - diabetes. I had 2 Lhasas years ago that were diabetic and did fairly well on insulin - tho one better than the other who was a real nightmare to try to regulate. I also had a Siamese cat with it many years before those dogs, but was diagnosed much too late to do anything about it.

Sparky had congestive heart failure, but didn't drink large amounts of water until he was put on a diuretic - and that boy never lost his appetite until close to the very end. Of course the cough was there, but no meds ever got rid of that.

I think it sounds more like a kidney issue, but the coughing has me stumped.....