When your dear old dog is coughing and gagging, it’s easy to start worrying. Could it be something serious? Or did your dog just have something that “went down the wrong tube”? To help you make sense of it all, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby discusses seven common reasons for coughing and gagging and reviews when to call the vet. She also gives an overview of what to expect at the vet and discusses some home remedies.
If you have a furry best friend who tends to eat and drink too quickly, you might hear the occasional gag or cough immediately afterward. This can be very alarming at first. But thankfully, the average pup goes right back to normal following this display.
However, what happens when a cough seems unprovoked by the “usual” causes? And what does it mean when an older dog is coughing or gagging? To answer those questions, we first need to look at what makes a cough or gag happen.
Why do dogs cough and gag?
Like in humans, your dog’s ability to cough or gag is a normal protective mechanism. It can help expel foreign things (food, saliva, water, etc.) from the back of the throat and airways. Or it may occur in response to irritation of those areas. To better understand what is happening, it helps to have a brief anatomy lesson.
In the back of your dog’s mouth, there are openings to two tubular structures—the esophagus and the trachea. Food and water pass into the stomach through the esophagus. Air passes into the lungs through the trachea.
At the top of the trachea sits the larynx. One of the jobs of the larynx is to keep food and water from accidentally entering the trachea. The larynx has two lines of defense.
First, there is a small soft tissue flap called the epiglottis. It closes over the entrance to the larynx whenever a dog swallows and opens when the dog breathes. Additionally, there are two vocal folds in the larynx which open each time a dog inhales and close again after exhalation.
In theory, the larynx should keep all foreign material out of the airways. But in reality, that doesn’t always happen. This means the body needs a way to get food, water, or other foreign material out of the airways again.
The anatomy of a cough
If something other than air accidentally gets into the larynx or if the larynx is irritated, nerves send a signal to the brain to trigger a cough or gag. Additionally, there are nerve endings in the airways of the lungs that can also trigger a cough in response to the same stimuli.
To create a cough, the diaphragm muscle (which separate the chest from the abdomen) contracts, filling the lungs with air. In a matter of moments, as the air in the lungs gets squeezed upward and outward, the larynx closes and then opens. The force of the air trying to evacuate against a closed larynx pressurizes the lung air.
This puts a little more “oomph” behind the air trying to leave the body. In this way, things that shouldn’t be present in the airways like allergens, food or water, mucus, etc., can be removed from the body via a cough.
Is my dog coughing and gagging? Or vomiting?
Based on the description, it would seem that coughing is a distinct act. However, where things get a bit more complicated is that dogs may also gag before or after a cough. And gagging can sometimes look a bit like attempting to vomit.
Generally speaking, a different list of things causes coughing and gagging than causes vomiting. In order to figure out what is happening with your dog, it is helpful if you use the right words when talking to the vet. So let’s take a look at how to tell the difference between coughing, gagging, and vomiting.
Signs a dog is coughing
A coughing dog is more likely to have short, hacking sounds that involve movement of the chest. He or she may occasionally have a small bit of saliva or clear fluid fly from the mouth. Sometimes coughing is dry, or nonproductive. Other times, coughing is productive. This means that the cough brings up mucus, which the dog either swallows again or spits out.
Signs a dog is gagging
When gagging, the dog will open the mouth wide and make a retching or hacking sound. The dog may not bring anything up, or he or she might expel a little saliva, mucous, or white foam. As I mentioned earlier, gagging tends to accompany coughing.
Signs a dog is nauseous
On the other hand, if a dog is nauseous, he or she may be salivating profusely or licking his or her lips. Then when vomiting, a dog usually has abdominal contractions that accompany the retching sound. Shortly after, it is common to see the production of stomach contents, which can range from food to yellow or clear fluid. Sometimes vomiting can also bring up foam, which tends to be stained yellow from bile.
7 reasons for an older dog coughing and gagging
Now that you know how to distinguish coughing and gagging from vomiting, it is time to dive into the seven most common respiratory causes of coughing and gagging. This list isn’t all-inclusive. But it does provide a good starting point for thinking through what might be going on with your dog.
1. Laryngeal paralysis
In the anatomy section, we discussed how the opening and closing of the vocal folds of the larynx can help protect the airway. Unfortunately, sometimes the nerve that triggers the muscle that pulls the vocal folds open during a breath doesn’t work right. When this happens, one or both vocal folds remain closed. This limits the flow of air into and out of the trachea.
As a result, dogs may have loud, harsh-sounding breathing from turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed trachea. Since the larynx isn’t doing a very good job of protecting the airways, affected dogs may also develop aspiration pneumonia (i.e. pneumonia that develops when a dog accidentally inhales food or water). Plus, these dogs will frequently cough and gag.
There is no known cause for laryngeal paralysis in dogs. However, genetics are thought to play a role because certain breeds like Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds are more likely to develop the condition. In recent years, researchers have discovered that laryngeal paralysis is actually only one component of an overarching condition called geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy (GOLPP). Dogs with GOLPP may also have megaesophagus in dogs and/or rear limb weakness.
The vet can attempt to manage laryngeal paralysis with medications like doxepin and environmental changes. However, many dogs need tie back surgery for dogs to help the larynx stay open. Also, regardless which other treatment options are used, weight management is an integral part in helping a dog’s coughing and breathing.
Check out my canine laryngeal paralysis FAQs to learn even more about this complex condition.
2. Chronic bronchitis (COPD)
Sometimes a dog will have a persistent cough that lasts for longer than two months but doesn’t seem to have any discernible cause. In that case, he or she may have chronic bronchitis in dogs (i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD). In this condition, severe infections, trauma, allergens, or other health issues cause inflammation within the lungs.
Over time the inflammation persists and worsens, which makes it more difficult for the dog to clear mucous and foreign invaders from the airways. The lung tissue can also become scarred.
Before diagnosing a dog with chronic bronchitis, the vet will want to rule out conditions like lung cancer, infection, or heart disease. Once he or she has excluded other causes of coughing, the vet will start treatment for the COPD. This may involve medications like steroids, cough suppressants, bronchodilators, as well as weight management.
3. Tracheal collapse
The trachea (i.e. windpipe) is the biggest of the tubes that make up your dog’s airways. It carries inhaled air from the nasal cavity to the lungs, where it splits into smaller and smaller airways. As dogs age, the cartilage rings that make up the trachea become flattened. This narrows the space inside of the trachea and makes it more difficult for air to pass through. As a result, collapsed trachea in dogs may cause a goose honking cough, gagging, and sometimes even respiratory distress.
All dogs can develop tracheal collapse. The risk is even higher in older dogs and in small breed dogs. Medical therapy, similar to that for chronic bronchitis, and weight management are the key treatments for a collapsed trachea. However, in severe cases, surgical intervention is necessary.
4. Heart disease
In a healthy dog, the heart will pump blood to all parts of the body, carrying oxygen via the red blood cells. But in heart disease in dogs, insufficient pumping can lead to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen or in the chest. When there is fluid inside of the lung tissue (i.e. pulmonary edema), it can cause coughing because the body is trying to remove the fluid. Fluid accumulation in the abdomen can make your dog look like a pot-bellied dog.
Heart problems can vary from valvular disease to dilated cardiomyopathy to heartworm disease in dogs. Many of these conditions will cause a heart murmur in dogs and also lead to overall heart enlargement. As the heart gets bigger, it can push the trachea upward and compress the bronchi that branch off from the trachea. This leads to even more coughing.
Sometimes older dogs with heart problems tend to have more coughing and gagging at night. They may also tire quickly, have difficulty breathing, or collapse. Dogs with heart disease may need medications to help the heart pump more strongly, correct arrhythmias, or remove fluid accumulation in the lungs. Sadly, heart disease may progress to the point of congestive heart failure over time.
5. Lung cancer
In the simplest terms, cancer is the abnormal and uncontrolled replication of cells. Sometimes it can show up as a single, solitary tumor. Alternatively, cancer can be widespread and affect many parts of the body. This is especially true if a cancer is malignant because these cancers can metastasize (i.e. spread to additional sites from the original site).
Dogs can develop primary lung cancer (i.e. cancer that arises from lung tissue) such as pulmonary carcinoma. However, more cases of cancer in a dog’s lungs are due to hemangiosarcoma in dogs, mammary cancer, osteosarcoma in dogs, or other tumor types metastasizing to the lungs.
Lung cancer can cause any number of clinical signs in dogs. In general, weight loss, lethargy, lack of appetite, and persistent coughing tend to be the more common symptoms. Treatment will vary depending on the type of cancer but may include chemotherapy or radiation in some cases.
6. Infections
Respiratory infections are one of the most common causes of coughing, especially in younger dogs. However, they can affect older dogs too. Foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (e.g., canine lungworms) can make their way into a dog’s respiratory tract. This can lead to localized inflammation as the immune system marches into battle.
Bacteria like Bordetella bronchiseptica (one of the causes of kennel cough) can create symptoms that primarily affect the upper respiratory tract. Typically the symptoms are centered around the dog’s throat and nose. Canine influenza (or dog flu) is viral in origin, and it, too, can cause upper respiratory symptoms like coughing and gagging.
However, in some cases, bacteria, viruses, or fungi can travel to the lower airways and cause pneumonia. This is almost always the case for fungal infections with Histoplasma and Blastomyces, which can also cause severe body-wide illness. In addition to coughing and gagging, dogs with pneumonia may also run a fever, have difficulty breathing, or be a lethargic dog.
Pneumonia patients will need hospitalization and oxygen therapy if they are having trouble breathing. They might also benefit from nebulization treatment. This involves having the patient inhale a fine mist (sometimes containing medication) which can moisturize the airways to make it easier for mucus to loosen and be coughed up.
Dogs with respiratory illnesses may also need antibiotics, antifungals, and sometimes steroids. If the vet finds lungworms on a special fecal test known as a Baermann test, he or she will prescribe a dewormer as well.
7. Allergies
If you’ve ever suffered from respiratory allergies, you know that things like high pollen counts can cause terrible symptoms such as coughing and nasal congestion. Dogs, too, can be affected by indoor and outdoor allergens.
It is also possible for dogs to have acute allergic reactions to certain medications, vaccinations, insect bites, and foods. Anaphylaxis, a particularly severe allergic reaction, can cause a life-threatening inability to breathe. If your dog is in respiratory distress, collapses, or has sudden onset vomiting and/or diarrhea, contact a vet immediately as these are signs of anaphylaxis.
Mild allergies can be controlled with antihistamines and other allergy medicines for dogs. It is also good to try to avoid the allergen as best as possible. Dogs experiencing severe allergies or anaphylaxis may require steroid therapy or possibly hospitalization until symptoms resolve. Inhaled steroids may also be an option, especially if a dog has asthma-like signs and suffers from allergies often.
When do I need to call the vet if my dog is coughing and gagging?
As you can see from this list (which doesn’t even cover all possible causes), a variety of conditions can cause your old dog to be coughing and gagging. Some are more serious than others. So how do you know when you need to call your vet? And what constitutes an emergency?
Well, let’s start by addressing some reasons you may need to schedule an emergency vet visit.
Signs of respiratory distress
Sometimes a dog may go into respiratory distress. This is always an emergency. Signs of respiratory distress include:
- A dog who is breathing fast or panting hard with no good reason
- Purplish, bluish, or pale gums
- Struggling to breathe
- Abnormal sounding breathing (harsh or high-pitched noises, etc.)
- Abdomen expanding and contracting with every breath
- Short shallow breaths
- Inability to do anything other than stand still, sit, or lie down
- Outstretched neck and/or elbows winged out to the sides
- Panicked expression
- Respiratory rate greater than 40 breaths per minute while resting (To learn to count your dog’s respiratory rate, read my article about keeping a “pulse” on dog vital signs.)
Time is of the essence here. Your dog needs to get to a facility that has the ability to perform oxygen therapy and administer drugs to help him or her breathe better.
Concern that something is stuck in the throat
Another reason to seek emergency vet care would be if you think your dog has something stuck in his or her throat. Understandably, this tends to be one of the first things dog parents think about if a dog is gagging. However, most of the time this isn’t actually the case.
I still want to address it, though, because foreign bodies in the throat or esophagus can cause a lot of issues. It is important that they are removed ASAP. So this means you need to be able to recognize when your dog really might have something stuck in the throat.
Foreign bodies in the back of the throat or in the esophagus can cause sudden onset of frequent gagging. Affected dogs may also:
- Regurgitate (i.e. passively bring up undigested food or water)
- Act like it is painful to swallow
- Paw at their mouth
- Be unable to swallow food, water, or saliva
- Make exaggerated swallowing motions
Especially if you saw your dog swallow something and then start with these signs, please contact your vet immediately.
Worrisome, but non-urgent symptoms
There are other cases where you don’t need to rush your dog to the emergency room, but your dog does need to see a veterinarian. Give your vet’s office a call if:
- Coughing or gagging is worsening in frequency or severity
- Your dog is exhibiting other symptoms like eye or nose discharge, sneezing, fever, or lethargy
- Your dog has a history of respiratory or cardiac issues and the coughing or breathing seems to be worse than his or her typical baseline
- Breathing sounds or looks different but your dog seems to be getting enough oxygen and can still eat, drink, and play
- You have any other concerns or questions about how your dog is doing
What to expect at the vet visit
How things go when you arrive at the vet clinic or emergency room depends on whether your dog is stable or not. If your dog is in respiratory distress, the first priority is going to be to get him or her breathing better. The veterinary team will start oxygen therapy, either by mask or in an oxygen cage. They may also try to place an intravenous catheter in your dog’s leg. That way they can quickly administer emergency medications if needed.
Once your dog’s condition has stabilized, the veterinary team can start some diagnostics. These tend to be similar to the tests you could expect at a non-urgent vet visit for coughing and gagging.
The vet will start with a physical exam. He or she will be paying special attention to how your dog’s heart and lungs sound and your dog’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. From there, the veterinarian will decide if he or she recommends additional diagnostics. Some of these may include:
- Bloodwork to evaluate red blood cell numbers, white blood cell numbers, and basic organ parameters
- X-rays to check for abnormalities of the heart, lungs, trachea, or esophagus
- Heartworm test
- Sedated laryngeal exam to check for laryngeal paralysis
- Blood pressure measurements, ECG, and echocardiogram to assess the heart
- Bronchoscopy or fluoroscopy to evaluate the trachea and smaller airways
Once the veterinarian has made a diagnosis, he or she will discuss your dog’s specific treatment plan. The generalities of treatment were discussed under each cause of coughing and gagging so I won’t mention them again here.
At-home remedies for coughing and gagging
I do however want to give you a few at-home remedies for coughing and gagging.
Let me be clear, though, that they are not intended to take the place of a visit with your vet. These are things you might be able to do while waiting for a vet appointment, under the direction of your vet after an appointment, or if signs are very mild.
Change locations
If your dog is coughing because of an overpowering fragrance or from mild smoke due to an unforeseen kitchen fiasco, simply bring your pup to another room or bring them out of doors.
Consider allergy meds
Dogs with minor allergies may get better with an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Benadryl for dogs. But you should still call your vet for dosing information and to make sure it is safe to use with any other medications that your dog is taking.
Humidify the air
Dogs with upper respiratory infections that are stable enough to be treated at home may benefit from the use of a humidifier. Humidifiers work to moisturize the air in a room of your home. Breathing in moist air can help loosen mucus that is unable to leave a dog’s airways with coughing alone.
If you do not have a humidifier, steam from a hot shower may also serve the same purpose. Bring your dog into a small bathroom, turn the shower to “hot,” and close the door. Allow him or her to breathe the warm humidified air for up to 15 minutes at a time, provided it doesn’t get too hot in the bathroom.
Try coupage
While your furry family member breathes in the humid air, you can also employ coupage tactics. This is when you use a cupped hand to gently pat one side of the pup’s rib cage for three to five minutes. Then repeat this on the other side. By performing coupage, you can help loosen mucus in the lower airways and make it easier to cough up.
A few words of caution. Unless directed otherwise by your vet, it is safest not to put a brachycephalic dog (i.e. those with short, squished noses) in a hot, steamy bathroom. This could be dangerous because they have more difficulty cooling themselves and are prone to heat stroke in dogs.
If your dog is having trouble breathing, has a history of heart disease, or has an elevated resting respiratory rate, don’t try the steamy bathroom remedy without talking to your vet. Also, due to risk of burns, do not allow your pet to be inside the shower stall or tub while the hot water is running.
Work with your veterinarian
I know it can be easy to worry when your dear senior dog is coughing and gagging and you don’t know what’s wrong. However, you and your vet can figure it out together. If possible, review the difference between coughing, gagging and vomiting before the appointment so you can use the right terms. Or, if you aren’t sure what you are seeing, take a video to show to your vet.
Maybe your dog will end up having one of the seven conditions I listed in this article. Or maybe it will be something totally different. Either way, your vet can work with you to develop a treatment and/or management plan. With a lot of these conditions, your dog’s coughing and gagging can improve significantly. Sometimes it may even go away entirely.
Even if you get the bad news at the appointment that your beloved dog is in congestive heart failure or has cancer, all hope isn’t lost. There are still ways to help keep your dog’s quality of life as good as possible for as long as possible.
Finally, keep in mind that sometimes dogs who are coughing and gagging will end up in respiratory distress. If your dog is having trouble breathing, immediately contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic. Being vigilant and acting quickly in those situations might just save your dog’s life.
What was the cause of your dog’s coughing and gagging?
Please comment below.
Hi. I have a senior dog, Puffy. She is about 14 years old. A corgi/bichon mix. Within the last six months, she has lost weight. She acts like she is choking or coughing on a regular basis. Her appetite is normal. Her bark just recently lowered in pitch. This morning, her front legs went out from under her on a wood floor. She later went for a walk and seemed fine. She doesn’t act as if anything is hurting. I know she is old and really probably doing well but don’t want her to be in pain or suffering.
Hi Trish,
I am sorry your senior girl is having these strange issues. Without examining her myself it is hard to make specific conclusions. But with the ongoing coughing and change in her bark it makes me very suspicious about laryngeal paralysis. Puffy is not one of the breeds that commonly deal with this condition but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Here is a link to another article with more information: Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs: The Ultimate Guide
Heart disease is also high on the rule out list for these types of symptoms. I highly recommend you schedule a visit with your vet so they can do some investigation. There could be an easy solution to help Puffy resolve these problems. Wishing you all the best of luck and praying for a positive outcome.
I have a 14 year old Shiba Inu. He started this gagging, that would wake him up out of his sleep about 5 months ago. It started off a few times a week. Then once a day. Now as of this week it’s up to multiple time per day. If he is on the couch and asleep, he will jump up out of his sleep onto the floor, and gag, nothing usually comes out, but a handful of times clear fluid has. He sleeps a lot, but other than that he appears healthy. He is at the vet regularly, and up to date on all his shots. I just had him there, debating if this is something I should be taking him in for immediately, or I can fix at home with allergy medication and a humidifier? Please help?
Hi Devon,
I understand your concern for your senior guy with these strange episodes he is having multiple times each day. I definitely think this needs to be investigated by your vet as soon as possible. I would hate to recommend at home treatments and miss something serious that needs to be addressed right away. Hoping for quick answers and praying for a positive outcome for your pup.
Hi Dr. Buzby, My 16+ years Yorkie, Buddy has developed more coughing bouts than normal, they will sometimes last 10+ minutes. The vet put him on lasix about a month ago and it seemed to help with the coughing at first. The vet did an xray and said Bud may also have a mass by his liver, there could be heart disease, cancer or worse. (I said ‘what could be worse than that?’), this vet also recommended an echocardiogram, ultrasound, but I wanted to give the lasix a chance first. A couple weeks later I took Bud in for his regular yearly check up and saw a different vet in the same practice whom we normally go to, I told her he was coughing more, drinking alot of water with the lasix, but otherwise he is still having daily walks, appetite is fussy but he will eat, poop is good. An echocardiogram or further tests were not mentioned during this visit. I’m wondering if I should call the vet to tell her that I am concerned about more coughing or is ut possible for the cough to also be affected by allergies or dry air. I would also like to know if you can tell me what further treatment options are or what it entails, and how an echocardiogram can help with treatment. Could the vet administer congestive heart failure treatment without an echocardiogram. I don’t have much funds and I know the echocardiogram with consult is $1000, but I would go ahead with it if I knew it would help with my pup’s quality of life. Thank you for your advice, I look forward to your response.
Hi Sharon,
I am sorry Buddy is having these ongoing coughing issues. While allergies and dry air may be contributing to this problem, I too would want to rule out heart disease first. It is not a good idea to use heart medications without a confirmed (or at least highly suspected) diagnosis as they could cause negative side effects. I think the echo is a good idea and agree with your vet’s testing recommendations. Hoping you can find the answers you need to ensure Buddy remains happy and healthy for as long as possible. Wishing you all the best of luck and bless you both.
my elderly dog has started picking at the carpets as though he’s eating something there the start coughing after how can l stop him he also licks fabrics like his blanket and cushion s
Hi Janet,
I am sorry your senior guy is exhibiting these strange behaviors. Before focusing on a behavioral issue, it is good to rule out any possible medical causes. If your boy has not been to the vet recently, an exam and lab work would be a good place to start. If there are no obvious abnormalities, you can try activities to offer mental stimulation. Unwanted behaviors are often due to boredom or anxiety. Here is a link to another article with lots of great ideas: 13 Mental Stimulation Toys for Dogs (& Activities Too)
Strange behaviors in senior dogs can also be signs of dementia. Your vet can offer recommendations on supplements and medications to help if dementia is suspected. Hoping you can figure out how to stop this worrisome issue. Wishing you and your sweet boy the best of luck!
I have a 13 year old spoodle who has all of a sudden developed a constant hacking cough overnight with the occasional gag of phlegm.
There has been no dietary change no change in routine and has not been near other animals.
She is still r sting and drinking as normal and no change in behaviour
Please help !
Hi Nicole,
I understand your concern for your senior girl with these new hacking/gagging issues she is exhibiting. I am glad she seems to be normal otherwise, but still think these symptoms need investigation. This could be an early warning sign of many different conditions (heart disease, collapsing trachea, bronchitis, etc.). I recommend you contact your vet and schedule an appointment for an exam. Your vet can go over any testing that would be needed to make a diagnosis and then hopefully find a way to offer your pup some relief. Wishing you and your sweet girl all the best!
Our miniature poodle rescue who’s about 13 has started hacking and then gagging but only when he runs around even for a short time. Otherwise he’s good, eating, drinking wants to play etc.
Hi Christine,
I am glad your pup seems to be ok most of the time, but what you describe has me a bit concerned. I strongly recommend you discuss these worrisome symptoms with your vet and see if they want to pursue some testing. This could be an early warning sign of heart failure or another serious condition that needs to be addressed promptly. Hoping all is well and wishing your boy the best of luck!
We have a 14 yr old mixed Akita (Hachi) and about one year ago he started panting a lot even though it wasn’t hot outside or in the house. I asked our vet about it and she said that older dogs seem to pant more as they age. We take him to the vet every 6 months for a check up. During our last visit I told her that he has started to cough and usually ends up gagging. She said to keep an eye on it and if it continued we could do a chest x-ray. A week later I scheduled him for a chest x-ray because the cough was not getting any better. The x-ray showed he has a tumor in his right lung about the size
of a lemon. The vet said because of his age she would not recommend surgery because the recovery period would be too hard on him. Since
she doesn’t recommend surgery we don’t know what kind of tumor it is and
therefore she doesn’t know what medication to give him. She did put him
on prednisone and I gave it to him for 3 days and he started acting strange so I called our vet and she said to stop the prednisone and just keep a eye on him. Hachi was taking carprofen but we stopped that when we started him on the Librela shot in October 23. When she had me stop the prednisone I asked her about putting him back on the carprofen and she
said that would be fine. So I started him back on the carprofen (100mg) a
day and it seems to be helping. He isn’t coughing as much. Hachi has osteoarthritis and the beginning signs of doggy alzheimer. I asked our vet about doing a biopsy and she said she would be afraid of puncturing his lung–so without knowing what kind of tumor it is she said she can’t recommend any treatment. She told us that we should enjoy the time we have left with him as long as his quality of life is good. I can’t believe that nothing can be done for his tumor. I also wanted to mention that he sleeps around 12-14 hrs during the day but up and down at night. I feel this is from his alzheimers. We would not spare any expense if there is something that can be done for him.
Hi Bonnie,
I am so sorry your boy is facing an unknown future due to this new lung mass. If finances are not a limiting factor, then I would strongly encourage you to ask for a referral to a veterinary oncology specialist. They can assess the mass and let you know what the options are and give you information on treatment and prognosis for each. Oncologists have lots of experience with complicated cases and often can offer treatments or procedures that may be cost prohibitive or unobtainable in general practice. I am hopeful you can get the answers you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Praying for a clear path forward and wishing Hachi all the best for many happy days ahead.
hi thank you for taking my question. I have a very young spirited, and in overall great health, 16-year-old Australian Shepherd blue heeler mix, Max, that developed a cough when we first moved to Florida in 2017. at that point it was very seasonal and would last a few weeks to a month and then go away for sometimes another year before popping back up. over time, however, it has become more and more persistent, with the last year being very chronic several times every day without stop. he starts off coughing or hacking 5 to 8 times then wretches like he has a hairball in his throat, sometimes a small amount of clear mucas gets coughed up. I have tried antibiotics, cough pills from the vet, steroids, benadryl and at least a dozen or more different natural herbs from amazon. I have tried acupuncture chiropractic, natural local honey, and nothing seems to work. he went in for an exam about 6 months ago and they did blood tests and x-rays and reported that all tests came back overall normal, except he showed a small amount of inflammation around the lungs and diagnosed him with chronic bronchitis. but none of the over-the-counter drugs or natural herbs I have tried thus far have seemed to help my poor baby. also his energy and appetite are great. I feed him organic ground beef, turkey, or bison, with vegetable blend, sweet potatoes, quinoa or organic brown rice and also give him a small amount of fruit, pumpkin and super food smoothies.
i am getting very frustrated with lack of results and don’t know who to turn to. I am currently giving him Bee Propolis, turmeric, honey, and nebulizer with saline and colloidal silver. I may be mistaken, but since trying the nebulizer, I feel he’s had a small improvement in the cough. any advice you can give would be so greatly appreciated!!
Hi Casandra,
I am so sorry your senior guy is struggling with a chronic cough. I wish I had some great advice, but without playing a personal role in his medical care it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations. You have already tried everything I normally recommend and even some things I am not familiar with. It may be time to reach out to an internal medicine specialist and see if they have any further recommendations on testing or therapies to try. Max is very lucky to have you taking such good care of him and actively advocating for his health and well-being. I hope you will be able to find what is needed to offer your pup some relief and restore his quality of life. Wishing you all the best and keep up the good work.
Hello – 13yr old Black Lab that has progressively been getting worse and worse over the last few months. He will be sleeping or inactive but wake up from sleeping on his side and have a wet cough with usually a lot of white mucous. It doesn’t happen every time but its getting to be a lot more frequent where he will have spells for an hour plus. Our vet originally thought, several months back when it wasn’t frequent that he might have lar par (no tests or anything to confirm). His bark has changed around that time but this seems to be much different. He would just have a cough every now and then. Like I mentioned before, now you can hear all of that mucous when he coughs and/or gags it all up over and over. He’s had a large cancerous mass removed from his side last year. I’m concerned he has a heart issue based on the info I’ve read and what I see from him.
Hi AC,
I understand your concern for your Lab. From what you describe, a heart issue is definitely a possibility, but I would not completely rule out laryngeal paralysis yet either. I encourage you to pursue some more in-depth testing. It might even be a good idea to schedule a consultation with a specialist. It sounds like this breathing/coughing issue is getting worse and will need treatment to ensure your boy maintains a good quality of life. Hoping you can get some answers and start the appropriate treatment soon. Best wishes and good luck!
Hi, I have a 14-1/2 year old Shh-poo. She has had a heart murmur for years, which is closely monitored, and is not severe enough to require medication. Two days ago she started with short coughing spells that sometimes end with a gagging sound. She seems ok right after. She has a good appetite and shows interest in when we are eating, and otherwise seems ok. She was at the vet a few months ago for a check up and got a good report. I am wondering if the coughing could be caused because our humidifier is broken (getting fixed) and air is drier in the house?
The only other symptom we see in a little shaking like she is cold and an occasional teeth chatter when shaking but it is very cold outside.
The cough may occur hours apart. I am calling vet tomorrow but wondered what your thoughts are?
Hi Bonnie,
I think it is good you are planning to call your vet tomorrow. While this new cough could be due to the dry air, I am also concerned it could be a sign that her heart disease is progressing. Best to err on the side of caution and get her evaluated. Hoping for good news from your vet and wishing you both many happy days ahead. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Hi, my 6 year staffy started cough/gagging several months ago. She has been to the vet several times. She had chest x-rays, antibiotics (several rounds), and steroids. She stayed in the hospital on and off. The cough comes and goes. It sounds deep in her chest sometimes, and will last a few days like that. Then, she will sound congested and sneeze (and reverse sneeze) often. When she sneezes, she has lots of mucus from her nose. What in the world could this be?
Hi Brett,
I understand your concern for your girl and see why you are searching for answers. Unfortunately, I am just as puzzled as you and your vet. You have done everything I would normally recommend starting with, so it seems like more in-depth testing may be needed to get a diagnosis. Has your boy had any lab work done? Also, you might want to think about a consultation with a specialist. Your vet can make a referral if needed should you decide to pursue that route. Hoping you can get some answers and find the best way to offer your pup some relief. Feel free to leave an update as things progress. Best wishes and good luck!
My dog is a 14 cabochon. She has always been healthy and goes for all her checkups. It been almost 2 months since she’s had this coughing, gagging, like she has a duck caught in her throat. Now she sleeping nonstop and when taking her for walks she barely walks and wants to go back inside. She has an appointment Monday, but now she lays by her water bowl drinking tons of water. She really not herself.
Hi Jessica,
I am sorry your pup is not acting like herself, and you are right to be concerned. I am worried there could be something serious contributing to these new symptoms. I am glad you had an appointment already scheduled and think the sooner you have her examined the better. How did the visit go? Hoping all is well and you were able to get some answers. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Hi there,
My dog is not senior she is just 1 year old but since she was little she has coughed and hacked and gagged on and off once a day. No other symptoms and blood work came back clear should I be worried or is this just allergies?
Hi Jj,
I understand your concern for your young pup and these ongoing issues with coughing/gagging. It is hard to know what to recommend without examining her myself. I am glad her lab work was normal, and she seems to be doing well otherwise. You can talk to your vet about trying an over-the-counter allergy medication to see if it helps reduce her symptoms. It also could be worth investigating a bit further and discussing x-rays or ultrasound. Wishing you and your sweet girl the best of luck.
Hello,
I have an older yorkie that has a dry cough that started a few days ago. He has always had a cough because he has a soft esophageal pallet and it sets off a cough when he is circling his bed to smash down his blanket.. He has a habit of whining as he does it which starts him coughing and a choke then he’s fine.. But a few days ago he started having a dry cough. He is eating fine and still takes his walks outside as weather permits. Breathing seems to be fine. when I tap him on the back to stop him from whining he seems to stop coughing most of the time. I’m not sure if it’s dry air or I need to take him to the vet.. some advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Carol,
I understand your concern for your senior pup. Without examining him myself, it is hard to know if this new cough is cause for worry or not. Anytime you notice a new symptom or issue it is always best to get your boy evaluated by your vet. I like to err on the side of caution and try to play it safe by acting quickly. Hoping you can get some answers soon. Praying for a positive outcome.
Hello
I have a older chihuahua I don’t know how old he is I took him in when his owners threw him out. 3 years ago he was diagnosed with kidney failure. He is still eatting and drinking good. .He’s not as active as he use to be but I’m sure that has a lot to do with his age. But he has started to cough a lot seams the more he gets excited the more he coughs. Is there any suggestion on how to help him.
Hi Peggy,
I am sorry your little guy is having such severe coughing episodes. There could be an easy solution/treatment but first you would need to know the cause. I always like to rule out heart issues first, especially in senior dogs. I highly recommend you make an appointment with your vet and have them do an evaluation and run some tests.
my dad’s dog is a pugle & he’s 14yrs old, my dad has been feeding his dog table food since he was a puppy, the first time Bernie “my dad’s dog” got sick my dad took him to the veterinarian & my dad was told to stop feeding him table food, you’d think he’d listen? NOPE! now Bernie’s 14yrs old & has been fed table food every single day, anything & everything my dad eats he WILL give it to his dog, so now my dad’s dog Bernie is constantly hacking & gagging & sometimes he spits up mucus other times he don’t but he’s also wheezing when he’s hacking & coughing & gagging? my dad stopped taking his dog to the veterinarian when he was told for the millionth time on how his dog CAN NOT have table food & the vet was going to report him for it, so naturally my dad has me take his dog to the veterinarian now because he doesn’t want to hear how he has caused all these health issues his dog has now due to feeding Bernie table food for 14 years & was told more times than I can count on to stop doing it because of the problems it can & will do to his dog! well…. now my dad’s poor dog is hacking, gagging & coughing so bad that his episodes will last for a good 20 minutes sometimes longer, I started giving him Benadryl & that seems to help calm him some! we’re also on a very fixed income with ONLY one check a month to live off of & we own a house on a VA loan & our bills every month are so outrageous that we barely have anything left after I’m done paying the bills, I’ve got 2 dogs myself & my big boy TJ is part great mountain Pyrenees so he’s over a 100lbs & somehow he screwed up his front Left leg, the way he limps on it his like he could’ve possibly broke it or fractured it so anytime he walks on it I wrap it up really good & got him a sling to help take the pressure off his front legs till I can get him seen! my dogs issue is most likely caused by his mother landing on his leg somehow? other than that I’m stumped on how it could have happened? I don’t give my dogs table food very often & if I do it’s only things I know they can have have!
Hi Elizabeth,
I understand your concern for your dad’s dog with this chronic coughing problem. While you are correct that a diet made up entirely of people food is not the best nutritionally, I do not think it is to blame for the coughing. I am not aware of a nutritional cause of coughing. I know you mentioned that finances are tight, but I think your best bet is to have his dog examined by your vet and maybe pursue some testing. It would be good to rule out heart disease, heartworms, collapsing trachea, and bronchitis just to name the first few things that come to mind. Hoping you can get your own dog and your dad’s the medical attention they need. Wishing you all the best of luck!
My 11 year old boxer had started huffing ( wouldn’t even call it a cough) a couple weeks ago and when I would take him for walks he would seem to tire faster than he has in the past. The past weekend he passed away. Saturday night he wouldn’t eat anything I put him in the bed with me and was planning on taking him to the vet on Monday or an emergency clinic on Sunday if things were really bad. Sunday he laid on the floor and wouldn’t get up to go to the bathroom. He was breathing heavy, he tried to get up and his legs collapsed, and then he passed away in my arms this all happened so fast. I raised him from a puppy and I feel very guilty about not taking him to the vet when he started huffing, but he seemed fine other than maybe a little less energy (shorter walks).
I was wondering if you have any idea of what possibly happened? I can’t stop thinking I should have done something different. I had raised him since he was a puppy and I live alone so this has been very hard on me.
Dear Matt,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Boxer. I can only imagine how hard it must be to have more questions than answers about what happened to your sweet boy. Of course, this is just speculation, but my first thought was this could have been due to a splenic tumor. Splenic tumors can grow very large with little to no symptoms. Usually, the first indication of their presence is when they rupture and start to bleed. This internal bleeding can cause a dog to have less energy and breath heavier. Here is a link to another article with more information: Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
I am not sure if this is what your dog was experiencing, but if so, there was probably nothing you could have done to change the outcome. I am glad you were able to be with your sweet boy during his final moments. It is clear he was dearly loved, and I am certain your presence was a comfort. I hope with time your heart will heal and you can allow yourself some grace. Praying for your comfort and peace.
I am having a similiar problem. I’m taking him to the vet. I think allergies although he’s 15 year old large dog. I just want you to know. A puppy I had died in my arms and was coughing . She had an appointment the next day. She was a miracle puppy. Barely survived bad Breeder cruelty but she passed in my arms. I did exactly what you’re doing. I searched til I drove myself insane looking for answers of why my little 4 month old puppy died while I tried cpr. I’m not at fault. I’ll never know. You are not at in anyway at fault. Don’t do what you’re doing by looking. Your dog is at rainbow 🌈 bridge and you will see your dog when it’s your time. Loving your dog is all required. You’ve done nothing wrong. I had to write this because you reminded me of how I was.
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for your sweet words of comfort for Mike and for all the other dog parents out there who are drowning in regret and guilt after the unexpected loss of their dog. You are so kind to take the time to share your story and wise advice about how to move forward. ❤️
I hope all goes well at your vet vet appointment for your dog as well!
Hello. My 9yr old Great Dane occasionally opens his mouth wide and makes a load throat clearing then gagging noise. it happens very intermittently probably once a day at most but is very loud and worrying. No other symptoms apart from what seema like normal aging, slightly slower on walks but still very enthusiastic to go for walk. Still eating normally. Do I need to worry?
Hi Nicola,
I applaud you for paying such close attention to these subtle changes in your Dane. I do think these symptoms are worth mentioning to your vet. It could be nothing, but this could also be the first signs of Laryngeal Paralysis which is more common in large and giant breed dogs. Here is an article with more information: Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs: The Ultimate Guide
I hope you are able to get some answers and ensure your big guy is happy and health. Wishing you both the best for a bright future!
Hi Dr. Byzby. I have a 12 year old yorkie. He started doing this thing where it looks like he’s going to vomit, but instead he lets out a hard cough from the depths of his stomach. This started happening near his annual checkup, so I explained this to the vet. They did not seem concerned based on his results. However, it’s continued now for a few weeks – a handful of times throughout the day out of nowhere – sometimes it even wakes him up out of his sleep. Other than this, he’s fine. Eats, plays, and doesn’t seem distressed. Should I take him back or get a second opinion? I just don’t want the little fella to be hurting and not know it. 🙁
Hi Oscar,
I do think it would be good to follow up with your vet about this coughing/gagging issue. Without examining your dog, myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. But it makes me suspicious of a heart problem or other complication that needs to be investigated. I am hopeful you can partner with your vet to find some answers. Wishing your little guy many happy years ahead.
Did you take your baby back? What did you find out? My son has a 10yr old chihuahua and he has the exact same coughing spells. We know he has heartworms and there is nothing more we can do to treat them as he is extremely finicky when it comes to eating food and getting the pills down and he bites so no one not even my son can do a liquid and the vet said there is no shot form of the medication. I have been reading this as he has had the cough, gagging, sometimes short of breath and loss of appetite as well. I’m afraid it may be the heartworms causing all this.
Hi Glenda,
I am sorry your son’s dog is having these severe issues. It sounds like he needs to be seen by a vet to see if there is a treatment available that would offer some relief. Your son may even need to seek out a second opinion if he feels as though he is not getting the answers he needs. There are a couple different ways to treat heartworms (one is by an injectable route), but the pup would need to undergo some testing to decide which treatment is best for his specific situation. Heartworm prevention is also available in many forms. I have had to get a liquid compounded for patients in the past and there is also an injectable called ProHeart. With all that being said, I encourage you to have your little guy examined in case the heartworm disease has progressed and is now causing other issues that may be able to be managed with simple medications. Hoping for better days ahead and wishing you all the best.
My 16 year old deer head chihuahua, Princess, seems to have caught a cold our 6 month old lab brought home. Our lab recovered in a week, but it looks like Princess, is taking longer to recover (It’s going on 2 1/2 weeks for her). Randomly through the day, I can hear some congestion from her nose and she will do the honking breathing until some coughed are let out. Earlier in catching this cold she was spitting up more water, had yellow snot, and eating a less which has all improved, but the lingering congestion and honking cough makes me wonder if there’s anything to worry about?
Hi Maria,
I am very concerned for your senior pup and these worrisome symptoms you describe. Since I haven’t personally examined Princess, I can’t make specific conclusions, but am highly suspicious of Kennel Cough. Has either of your dogs been vaccinated for Bordetella? I do think this could be serious and highly recommend you have your girl evaluated by your vet as soon as possible. Praying she is ok and can make a full recovery.
Hello! Our 16 year old puggle, Duke has recently been coughing and gagging a bunch. He typically would cough with a little gagging every once in a while but recently it has gotten really bad. It used to happen once every two days or so and now it’s all day that he is coughing. It seems to be made worse when he lays down or gets up from laying down. We did take him to the vet, they did x-rays and he doesn’t have anything stuck but they said he is getting old and this is common with his breed. They suggested a cough suppressant that he will likely have to take for the rest of his life. I was wondering if you could weigh-in on this being a common occurrence with pug + beagle mixes? Is that true and is there anything else I can do besides the cough suppressant to help ease his cough?
Hi Amanda,
I understand your concerns with this coughing in your senior pup. Duke is lucky to have you advocating for his health and well-being. Without examining your dog, myself, I can’t make specific recommendations. There are other things that could help with the coughing depending on the root cause. From what you describe, I am suspicious Duke may have chronic bronchitis. You can ask your vet if they think this is a possibility. Here is a link to an article with more information: Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs: The Mysterious Cough That Won’t Quit
Bronchitis and other breathing issues such as collapsing trachea are much more common in small breed dogs like pugs. I hope this helps a bit and will offer some guidance on how to talk to your vet about your concerns. I am hopeful you will be able to find a way to make Duke more comfortable and maintain his quality of life. Best wishes and good luck!
My pomeranian is around 14 or 15 years old. She does not have a flat face. She coughs frequently with a honking sound, without signs of real distress. She often coughs while lying down, not particularly when excited. She shows no signs of breathing trouble, or lack of oxygen, and is active and eats well. I suspect dry air or allergies, maybe to my cats. I just cannot spend money for xrays, blood tests, etc. What is just one most likely less expensive thing to have the vet look for that would be most likely to result in a treatable option?
Hi Tamara,
I am sorry your senior pup is having issues with chronic coughing. I understand how difficult it can be to give your girl the kind of care she needs when dealing with financial concerns. Unfortunately, there are just too many possibilities of what can cause these symptoms. Your vet could probably prescribe an over-the-counter allergy medication to see if it helps a bit. But I would be worried that a more serious underlying condition like heart disease or cancer could be slowly progressing and going undetected while waiting to see if the allergy treatment is a success. My best advice is to have an honest conversation with your vet. They could let you know what testing they recommend and advise you as to which tests would be most helpful. This way you may be able to start investigating and slowly work through the diagnostic procedures as your finances allow. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choices for your sweet girl. Wishing you both the best.
Hi Dr. Buzby,
I have an Olde English Bulldog who is 11.5 years old. He has had this awful loud cough with some wheezing here and there, but the cough doesn’t sound like a normal cough anymore. When it first started it sounded like a cough and it would make him gag, but now it sometimes sounds more like a squeal/scream when “coughing” and gagging follows. There’s zero mucus. Sometimes his sides suck way up into his ribs when breathing, He has lost quite a bit of weight this past few months (weight started coming off before the cough started). All he can do is lay down and barely able to walk (though this may be due to his arthritis) to go outside. He’s lost his appetite and will only eat little bits at a time if I hand feed him. He barely gets out of his bed anymore. Very lethargic and has been dealing with his hind legs giving way. He also will sometimes collapse for no known reason with a stiff tongue. This just started these past 2 weeks. The only thing he has interest in is that he does still love to get loved on by us, especially “his” kids and his snuggles. We understand that he is old, but this weight loss, low appetite, not moving/doing anything other than laying down constantly, the constant squeal/scream sounding cough with the gagging (he can’t sleep well because of it) and his back legs giving way, collapsing for no known reason has us worried. For us, it seems like he is miserable. I don’t believe it is Infectious because our other dog is completely healthy. Any thoughts? We will be calling our vet tomorrow to get him seen, but thought I’d ask you for some insight as to what it may be. From reading your article… it sounds like either the Tracheal collapse, Heart disease or lung cancer?
Thank you, Dr. Buzby.
Hi Robin,
I am sorry your Bulldog is struggling so badly with this breathing issue. I am glad you scheduled an appointment for him to be examined by your vet. Just as you mentioned, I too am suspicious this could be cancer or a heart problem. With what you described; the disease may be at an advanced stage. You may be facing some difficult decisions about quality of life. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for your sweet boy. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
I just have a question I have a 11 yr old chocolate lab lately she has been gagging sitting up white foam she is sleeping out in the living room and she always sleeps iny room at the foot of the bed for 10 years
now she goes in the living room she is just different now
Hi Cynthia,
Has your senior girl been examined by your vet recently? If not, I highly recommend you talk to your vet about these recent behavioral changes. These could be early signs of many different issues that would need to be addressed. Without evaluating your Lab myself, I can’t make specific conclusions, but with this breed I am always on high alert for signs of laryngeal paralysis. Here is a link to an article with more information: Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs: The Ultimate Guide
I am hopeful you can find the answers you need to ensure your girl is feeling her best.
My dog was outside today at my boyfriends granny’s house and he said she ate this plant now she is coughing weird and just laying around is this poisonous and how can I help her from home I have no money for a vet right now please help
Hi Jynx,
It sounds like your pup may have ingested a toxin and this could be life threatening! I understand you have financial concerns, but I am afraid your dog may need to go to the emergency vet immediately. Please call you vet as soon as possible.
My rescue dog, a lab, is approximately 12 year old and has been coughing with some intermittent gagging at times for about two months now. I took her to the vet about a month ago and they suspected kennel cough, which I didn’t since she isn’t around other dogs, and she took a two weeks dose of doxycycline that may have improved her symptoms 10%. She is now back to where she started. She does go many hours without any coughing at times but also has episodes of an hour of near constant cough. Everything else about her is fine, her appetite, drinking, bathroom habits, walks and playtime. No lethargy or weight loss. What would you recommend as next steps?
Hi Lynn,
I am sorry your senior girl is struggling with these recurring coughing and gagging symptoms. Without examining her myself, it is hard to make specific recommendations. When dealing with older Labs I always keep laryngeal paralysis on my radar. Have you noticed any changes to her bark lately? Just to be safe, here is an article with more information on that subject: Canine Laryngeal Paralysis: A Veterinarian Answers Your Questions
Your next steps in getting a diagnosis will probably include x-rays and blood work. At any point, you can always ask for a referral to a specialist if needed. I agree, if the doxycycline didn’t solve the problem, then there needs to be more investigation. I am hopeful you can have a conversation with your vet and discuss your concerns. Praying for answers and a positive outcome for your sweet girl!
Hi, my chihuahua is almost 13. He has a dry hacking cough, not all the time, just sometimes, it can last hours, and then he’s fine for days. Most of the time it lasts just a few seconds, a few times a week.. he’s been to the Vet 2x in the last 3 months.. Blood work, X rays etc, both times. They can’t find anything. What home remedies can I try to help him? .
Hi D,
I am sorry your senior guy is struggling with these recurring coughing episodes. Without having a definitive diagnosis, it is hard to know what treatments would be of most benefit. Since I haven’t personally examined your dog, it is hard to make specific recommendations. You may want to consider a consult with a specialist. In the meantime, you could discuss treatment options with your vet. They can try cough suppressants, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, and anxiety medications. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to give your sweet boy the best quality of life. Best wishes to you both!
1. Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs: The Mysterious Cough That Won’t Quit
2. Collapsed Trachea in Dogs As Seen Through the Eyes of a Veterinarian
3. Trazodone for Dogs: Could it Decrease Your Dog’s Anxiety?
My dachshund will be 13 years old shortly. She has been to the vet on numerous occasions regarding gagging and coughing. Labs are negative x-ray negative. X-rays did show a slight increase in size of her heart. But “no CHF or heart issues.” She was started on a heart pill for CHF as a preventative. Stopped due to side effects ie; lethargy. She continues to gag and cough. She is still active. Walks the block with no exertion. Eat drinks and plays with no exertion. No panting but continues to gag and cough especially early morning. It seems worse when she becomes anxious that someone will leave or someone enters the house or in anticipation of her daily treat. I have tried antihistamines which decreases the episodes but not much. I’ve heard of CBD gummy‘s for anxiety might help so researching it now.
Hi Sherry,
I am sorry your dachshund is struggling with these coughing and gagging episodes. I am glad her testing has all turned out fairly normal and she is able to be active and play. Please make sure your vet is aware her current treatment is not providing the results you had hoped. There may be other supplements or medications that could help decrease inflammation in her body which could show some improvement in these symptoms. Also, you can always ask for a consultation with a specialist if needed. As far as CBD supplements go, be very careful with gummies! Most gummies contain the artificial sweetener Xylitol which is toxic to dogs. Here is an article with more information: CBD Oil for Dogs: Facts, Benefits, Concerns [2022]
I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to give your sweet girl the best quality of life possible. Wishing you both the best of luck!
My dog started hacking and coughing yesterday and if he has something I’m his throat. He is 8 and he is a Blue healer. He is eating and drinking but still hacking. I don’t have money and I’m scared to death.
Hi Lakisha,
I understand your concern and worry over your Heeler since starting this severe coughing. Unfortunately, without having him examined by a vet there are just too many possible causes to make specific recommendations. Has your boy been vaccinated for Kennel Cough/Bordetella? I also completely understand how finances can limit our ability to do what is best. If there is any way you can come up with the funds to have your dog evaluated by your vet, I truly think this is the only way to get the answers you need. Hoping for the best for you and your pup.
Hello,
My bison frise is 13 and maybe once or twice those week he has coughed and then fainted , it takes him a minute or two to come around but then he is back to normal, he hasn’t stopped eating or any other changes apart from sleeping more but he has been like that this last year .
Thankyou .
Hi Kathy,
I am glad you are reaching out about your Bichon. What you are describing has me very concerned. Without examining your dog, myself, I can’t make specific conclusions, but I am highly suspicious this could be a heart issue. This could be episodes of syncope. Please contact your vet as soon as possible and have them evaluate your pup. Praying for quick answers and a positive outcome.
my dog is 14 she is caughing and gagging more and more often after drinking water seems to trigger it more but lately it’s been even if she hasn’t just drank. she breaths fine but does pant more than before. what can I do for her
Hi Gail,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and these coughing and gagging episodes. I am concerned that you mentioned she is panting more and having these issues even when not drinking. These could definitely be symptoms of something serious. I highly recommend you have your dog examined by your vet as soon as possible. They may need to do some testing to narrow down the cause.
Hello, my 10 year old miniature American Eskimo suddenly started a dry hacking sporadic cough last night after her dinner. She didn’t do it all night but started again this morning. No loss of appetite and it seems to stop when she’s laying still. She is never around other dogs and is very spoiled. When she was younger she would go into a type of respiratory heaving like asthma. When she would do this, I would rub her tummy and neck to calm it and it was effective. She rarely does it anymore. This weird cough she started last night sounds like a furball stuck in her throat. No mucus or vomiting. She’s laying down now and is not coughing but when she stands she starts again. Any advice on what it could be or how to help her not cough would be appreciated. And what should I watch for and for how long it persists before I should take her to the vet. Vets out here costs so much and most of the time, it’s like taking your car to a mechanic, they want to run a tons of tests and X-rays and I always leave with a huge bill for truly no reason. This is the case every time I have taken her for her shots and a regular heath check visit. They wanted 4K to pull some of her teeth for example.
Hi Estelle,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and these new coughing episodes she is experiencing. Unfortunately, without examining her myself, there are just too many possibilities to make specific conclusions or recommendations. Maybe something from her dinner irritated her esophagus? Or this could be early signs of a heart issue? It could be due to bacteria or a virus. I know veterinary care can be expensive, but it really is very cheap when compared to human medicine. The big difference is your insurance fronts most of the cost when you go to the doctor and most people do not have insurance for their dogs. The reason veterinarians recommend testing and x-rays is to gather the needed information to make a diagnosis so the appropriate treatment can be administered. Without some testing, we would just be making an educated guess. I truly think the best way to get the answers you need is to have your pup evaluated by your vet. If you don’t want to use the same clinic you are already established with, it is ok to try a different facility. You are paying for a service, and you need to find a vet you can trust and partner with confidently to maintain your sweet girl’s health and wellbeing.
My sweet Rhodesian Ridgeback, Smooch, will be 12 years old in February. She started coughing this week. It’s dry and she acts as if she is trying to get something out of her throat. One day she did vomit (thick. clear mucus). Her eating and sleeping have not changed but she is drinking more water. She is always eager to have a treat! Her coughing has gotten much worse in the last 24 hours making it hard for her to rest. I can’t get into the vet until next week. They told me to try Benedryl, but I don’t notice improvement yet. Her eyes are now watering (or is she crying in pain?). I am terrified for my sweet baby. Help.
Hi Julie,
I understand your concern about these new coughing and gagging episodes in your senior girl. I know you are worried and want to find a way to help her as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, without knowing the cause, there really isn’t much I can recommend. I know waiting a week to get your dog evaluated seems like an eternity, but I think that is the best course of action. If at any point you think your dog is having trouble breathing or seems lethargic don’t hesitate to take her to an emergency clinic. How are things today? Were you able to get your girl examined? Feel free to leave an update when you have a chance.
my puggle has been coughing and gagging in spells, she about 10 yrs age and she get week and head rolls backwards like she is going into a seizure
Hi Timothy,
It worries me that your pup seems to lose consciousness when these episodes occur. This could be a sign of serious issues or heart problems. Please have your dog examined by your vet as soon as possible.
Definitely in need of help here. I have an adult to senior cairn terrier. He has had a cough described as being like a smoker’s cough. Sneezing, reverse sneezing, and sometimes panting accompany it. It stops at times when I am out of the room. He does not do it when eating, sleeping, or drinking. This has gone on for five years. Please help! I do not want to lose my little buddy! He has no other symptoms and no wet phlegmy cough. Any help would be appreciated as well as treatment going forward.
Hi Amanda,
I understand your concern for your senior guy and this nasty cough he continues to struggle with. Has he been examined by a vet? Without seeing your dog myself, I can’t make specific recommendations. There are too many possible causes that need to be ruled out with some testing. Your vet will probably want to start with some x-rays and lab work. Then, if needed, they can always schedule a consult with a specialist. You really need to know what is causing the cough before you can find the best way to treat/prevent it. Wishing you the best of luck.
Dr. Buzby – Thanks for such a wonderful and helpful blog. Our beloved Little Dog (yes, it’s his real name and he’s a 12 +year, 65 lb rescue super-mutt – it makes more sense when you see our other dog who was 85+ lbs and tall) has chrondasarcoma that we caught very early. In December 2021, we had his back leg removed, and he has recovered well as a tri-paw but we know his time was limited. A few weeks ago during his last scan, our vet found some spots on his lungs. This past week, he’s been a little more lethargic and has started coughing (sometimes it sounds more like a gag but other times it sounds seal like or when children have the croup). He typically coughs more frequently after he exerts himself walking or going up stairs. Are there any medications or other respiratory therapies we should consider talking with our vet about to keep this breathing more comfortable? Thank you so much.
Hi Matt,
I love that his name is “Little Dog”. One of my favorite patients was named “Big Girl”. I am sorry your senior guy is facing such a difficult diagnosis and his symptoms are progressing rather quickly. There are medications that can help to open the airways a bit such as Theophylline (a bronchodilator). I am not sure they will work as expected with the presence of nodules in the lungs, but it may be worth a try. At the very least, I would discuss the option of hospice/palliative care with your vet. They may be able to prescribe an opioid like pain medication that would help to keep him comfortable but also has benefits to reduce coughing. I hope you can find the answers you need to give your sweet boy the best quality of life possible during his final days. Make the most of the time you have together and give Little Dog a hug for me. ♥
I knew my large Catahoula had a cough a persistent one more at night at bedtime , I also noticed him drinking excessive water, and he was tired fast . I knew he was likely to have heart problems or maybe cancer as he does not have any abdominal swelling. He is 16 , He’s not been to the vet since he was neutered at 6 months. I do his yearly vaccines and worming and treated a couple hard injuries and couple snake bites with him over the years. And the vet does come to the farm for the livestock and will help as in I gave him so much Benadryl can I more ? He has been a wonderful farm dog. He could think for himself as any dog can, but Gator made really wise choices. A stranger comes, he doesn’t run barking. He stands and stares at them. He will move to block their approach and it was very effective. If they persisted, he would stalk them , and if they oh baby oh baby him and try to touch him , NOPE he would grab their hand, and simply hold it firm. Hes “bitten” over 5 or people never broke the skin and never growled or barked . With Stock he is overkill. He’s over 100lbs not close to as handy as My heelers are but he is great back up for them mostly with hogs or bulls. I have not had to release the Krakens often, but he and his brother would put a change of heart to the toughest customer. He was a great guardian of the farm
His hips are weak a hard wind could take him down now. He can’t hear, can’t see very well. But ! He smells it’s me and happy, and pat pat his feet when he smells I am eating. I keep him inside as always. He lays by the fireplace I am keeping warm for him for him, and bring him water. I think when he no longer will get up to eat , then it is time…… I think it close.
I strongly believe it is GOLPP , This will be my 1st time seeing this and would like to know what to expect. And if he is going to be able to pass peacefully or would he be better if I made the call.
Hi Laura,
I am sorry your sweet boy’s health is declining and he may be nearing the end of his days. Since I haven’t examined him myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. Without a definite diagnosis there is no way to know what you should expect as his condition worsens. Generally, with laryngeal paralysis I would expect you to be seeing more panting, increased breathing rate and difficulty breathing during excitement or while exercising. I am suspicious that your guy may be dealing with something else that is causing his lethargy and increased thirst. With that being said, I usually prefer to make the call about saying goodbye rather than waiting for a natural death. A natural death doesn’t always equal a peaceful or smooth passing. Also, there is no way to know how much longer your dog will continue to hold on while his body functions decline. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. Letting go can be the most loving way to offer a beloved dog peace and rest. I am not sure when the right time will be to make these decisions. It might be a good idea to have a house call vet come and assess your pup. They may be able to offer hospice or palliative care until you feel the time has come. I will attach links to other articles with more information. I hope they will give you the advice and comfort you need to make it through this difficult process. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
My fur baby is NOT. A senior and sick she definitely is😭😭😭😭😭 I need a Miracle and fast. So she’s had issues such as throwing up and diarrhea has a puppy and with mucus and blood and not frequently since I got her when she was only 8weeks. Then it started getting blood in it and I had to switch her food a couple times and the last time was grain free which got rid of the blood in her poop and throwing up. Then all a sudden she got sick again. It started with humping stuffed animals instead of us and acting like she couldn’t (idk if that had anything to do with it or not but almost seems like it) then she was swallowing “hard” and very nauseated, She started having a rattling sound in her breathing.. she threw up a couple times , food and foam. She didn’t really want water or food and then they tried a couple meds including antibiotics which seemed to be working and then at the end stopped (so idk if they actually did work at all) then she was swallowing hard and nauseated for a couple more months and then just started swallowing hard but was back to normal. She had also been gagging and coughing with this. Then months go by again and she’s sick again all with the same symptoms but it got worse really fast. Then with metoclopramide, sucralfate, anti nausea meds, emeprazole, and a couple other things they got her to eat and somewhat drink again at the vet hospital and I had to keep giving her these things at home for weeks. She started to get some what better except she didn’t want water at all so I mixed it in her food and kept having to take her to get fluid under her skin. She seemed to be getting better recently again but she still didn’t want water at all and was getting dehydrated and needed fluid under her skin so they did and then they put her on steroids and that week was awesome like nothing was wrong with her anymore. Then when they weened her down she was somewhat nauseated again and coughing gagging some what again (not too much though). So they did another week of it and she was drinking lots of water and eating and wanting more to eat also. They then weened her off again and she was some what alright a couple days then she stopped drinking water after starting to gag and cough again mostly when she started to get a drink. She was nauseated worse and then within another day back to throwing up food and white foam again this time. They just put her back on the steroids but it is helping her drink and eat more again but she is nauseated still to the point she has thrown up and swallowed it and she’s really nauseated tonight even after giving her ondancatron which I didn’t have to give her anything the past couple weeks. It almost seems like everything from food to meds if they are stopped after working when they start them again it almost doesn’t help anymore. I’m sooo worried. She’s a Japanese chin with a quarter chihuahua only and born Jan 15,2019 and I can’t lose this baby girl, she’s my universe and my baby and very spoiled!!
Hi Alyssa,
I am sorry your young pup is having so many issues. It sounds like things are pretty complicated and your vet has tried many different treatments with no resolution to these issues. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. My best advice is to schedule a consult with a specialist. They have lots of experience dealing with more puzzling cases and may have ideas about additional testing or therapies to consider. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to restore your sweet girl’s quality of life. Praying for a full recovery and many happy days ahead.
My 13 year old dog has Cushions Disease and she’s been coughing ang gagging. Her vet saw her and said she has a heart murmur and her gums are pale. Her tongue goes purple on exercise, she pants alot aswell.
Hi Tina,
I am sorry your senior girl is dealing with so many issues all at once. It concerns me greatly that you are noticing her tongue turning purple with exercise. Please make sure your vet is aware of these episodes. It makes me suspicious about heart failure. There may be a medication that could greatly improve your pup’s quality of life. I hope you can find a treatment that will prolong her life and make her more comfortable. Best wishes for a positive outcome.
Putting dog pills in a small spoonful of liver pate or similar almost always works!
Or you can pop them straight at the back of his throat and give him a treat after he swallows them.Good luck.from Cherry in NZ
Dino, my wonderful senior (15 yr old) Patterdale terrier has been coughing and gagging with increased frequency and duration and a very recent chest Xray has shown a change of “patterning” in his lungs and a narrowing of the trachea as it passes into his lungs. He has been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and trachea collapse and prescribed:-
Prednidale tablets 5mg: 1 x daily with food
Corvental-D 100mg capsules: 2 capsules once daily
Dino weighs 11.4 kg and is considered to be overweight and changes to his diet are advised to aid weight loss and I am due to discuss this further with a Vetinery Nurse. I am due a follow up appointment with Dino’s regular Vet in a couple of weeks to discuss his condition in further detail. This is the second day of administering Dino’s medication and I am having difficulty in doing so as Dino refuses to eat his food when I place the medication in it? Any advice would be very very much appreciated. Thank you and with kind regards
Hi Jennifer,
I understand how frustrating it can be when your dog won’t take his medication. Make sure your vet is aware of the administration issues with these pills. There may be a way to have them compounded into a flavored liquid to make this easier. Also here is a link to another article with great tips and advice: Your Dog Won’t Take Pills? 5 Easy Solutions for Uncooperative Pooches
I hope you can find the trick that works best for you and Dino. Praying he will respond well to his treatment and have many happy days ahead. I will leave some links to other articles that may offer insight to some of the issues Dino is facing. Best wishes to you both!
1. Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs: The Mysterious Cough That Won’t Quit
2. Collapsed Trachea in Dogs As Seen Through the Eyes of a Veterinarian
Our vet found calcification in his lungs; he’s almost 14 and it’s been slowly building up for a couple of years. The vet simply refers to it as old dog lungs, and said to monitor it for increased difficulty, which might be treated with certain meds. if that’s what we decide.
Hi Kirsten,
I am glad you were able to get some answers about your senior guy. Glad it is just old dog lung changes and nothing more serious. I hope he continues to keep fighting and has many happy days ahead. Wishing you both the best!