What causes a dog to cough and gag 2 or 3x daily

he is 10 yrs old and he is 85 # when we got him he had mange and it has been in control. he has all his shots

  • Vetinfo

    By: Kara McCarty El Segundo, CA

    Replied on 04/19/2011

    Was or is he a dog that likes to pull hard on his leash when he walks? Some large breed dogs pull so hard they damage the nerves in the neck that control their larynx, which can lead to laryngeal paralysis or weakness. When these dogs eat or drink they can't properly close their larynx and small amounts of water or food enter their larynx causing them to cough or gag. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia. Your veterinarian can test for this by lightly sedating him and watching to see whether his vocal cords respond appropriately to stimuli. Dogs can have reflux of stomach acid from their stomach into their esophagus and this can cause a cough or gag. Older dogs get heart disease, causing heart enlargement, which leads to a cough. Has he tested negative for heartworm disease and is he on prevention if heartworm is a problem in your area? A cough can also be the sign of bronchial or lung disease caused by parasites, viral, bacterial or fungal infections or a tumor. The only way to know for sure what is causing his cough/gag is to let your veterinarian run some diagnostics. Kara, DVM

More Questions on Respiratory

  • My dog is reverse sneezing. Should I be concerned?

    We gave our 8 year old Westie canned food for the first time yesterday. Since then she has had several episodes of reverse sneezing. My concern is she is not drinking her water. We gave her the normal dry food today and she ate it just fine and she is going potty but she isn't drinking water. Should I be concerned?

  • How can I treat kennel cough

    My two adult rescues both are coughing with a very dry sounding, almost bark-like cough. I've been told by other foster mommas that it's most likely kennel cough. One of the dogs is in good health otherwise, and his cough is productive with chunky yellow mucus and fluid. Dog 2 just underwent treatment for heartworm, and his cough is not productive but has the same sound as the other. The first dog has a faster heart rate and more irregular breathing.

  • Dog coughing up spittle

    My chihuahua coughs up spittle sometimes but if I rub the lower part of her throat for a few minutes I can usually stop the coughing. Is there a condition in the throat for this breed of dog that is common?

  • What to do for a dog with heavy breathing?

    My German Shepherd bitch pulled a plastic container with some cooked mince off of the side today and ate it. She chewed the plastic and now is breathing heavier than normal. She is very quiet and laying down (which is normal) but she is breathing heavily? She doesn't seem to be in pain when i touch her tummy or anything? Is she ok?

  • My dog is breathing slowly. What can I do?

    My dog was lifeless just about 15 minutes ago and I need to know if she is dying. She is breathing very slowly and I just want to be prepared.

  • We have a dog that coughs repetitively everytime he runs

    We have a Yorkkshire Terrier that coughs repetitively everytime he runs for a short time. We have a Yorkkshire Terrier that coughs repetitively everytime he runs for a short time. We believe he hs a damaged trachia.What should we do

  • My 7 year old Boston Terrier dog is having difficulty breathing

    My 7 year old Boston Terrier is having difficulty breathing with even small amounts of exertion. She frequently pants even at rest and is drinking alot of water. Her appetite is good and bowels are fine. She still insists on attempting to run and play, especially with the other dogs but we have to stop her as she can't breathe and has even fallen over and had inability to move. Been to vet and blood work normal.

  • Dog coughs when excited, sounds like croup in a child

    My chihuahua is coughing, it sounds like the croup in a child. It just started today, and is only happening when he gets excited. This happened once before, but it passed.

  • Why is my dog bearthing slowly?

    My 12 year old silky terrier has become very lethargic and his breathing is very shallow and rapid. What does this sound like?

  • Dog snoring sounds. Is my dog having trouble breathing?

    My dog makes this snoring type sound (like he's having difficulty breathing) throughout the day, and especially when he's sleeping. Periodically throughout the day he has these rapid episodes which is like when a child is so upset they almost sound like they can't breath through their nose, and have this repetitive sounding inhale/exhale/wheezing. I'm a little concerned and wondering what it could be. He had it 4 years ago and the vet thought it was from a foreign object, but found nothing.

  • My puppy breathes extremely heavily when she sleeps or at rest

    i have a four and a half month old pit terrier mix. she was malnourished as a younger puppy, until i adopted her about a month ago. she breathes very heavily when she sleeps or is at rest. what could cause this? i've heard of heart defects and other things and i am not sure since she was malnourished, anything could be wrong. help!

  • Can humidifiers help dogs with laryngeal paralysis?

    I have an older lab with laryngeal paralysis and I was wondering if a humidifier at night would help him with that?

  • 14 year old mixed dog with coughing and incontinence

    I have a female dacha/terrier mix. She is 14 years old, almost totally blind from cataracts, almost completely deaf and a bit overweight. Lately, she has started coughing (mostly in the evenings). She has been having accidents in the house - almost as if she doesn't know she has to go until she has to go right that minute. I let her out all of the time, and she wanders around the yard. What could be causing the cough and the accidents?

  • My dog's nose has green discharge. Does he need a vet?

    I have a german shepard with green discharge in both nostrils and eyes are tearing a lot. Does this require a vet or are there any home remedies to cure it?

  • What does my puppies cough mean?

    My puppy is 8 weeks old, she has diarrhea and very little energy. I have been told she has worms and plan on treating them ASAP. She has also developed a dry cough, it happens once in a while one short cough and only when she lays down. What could this mean?

  • Why is my dog snoring?

    What does it mean if a dog starts to snore after she recently comes back from a kennel? My dog just recently came back from a kennel. She is a five year old Maltese and weighs 6 pounds. She has never snored before, but now she cannot stop snoring when she sleeps. I think she has respiratory problems but I'm not sure what is wrong with her. When I put my ear against her body she sounds like she is wheezing and is having trouble breathing. How worried should I be?

  • my staffordshire bull terrier snorts badly

    my staffordshire bull terrier, 5, snorts badly on occasions.almost as if she cant get her breath. rubbing chest stops this. she had anti inflam which stopped it for 2 -3 days, but is back again.she weighs 23 kilos, just lost 2.3kg on diet plan.

  • My english mastiff is breathing heavy

    He is 5 months old and we just got him from another family. When he lays down or is sleeping he seems to breath very heavy,sometimes it seems like he is struggling. When you look at his stomach on the one side it looks as though his one rib is sticking out. What can I do or what do you think it maybe?

  • Is this really dog kennel cough? Will a 2nd round of antibiotics be necessary?

    My 10 mo old lab had a cough so I took her to the vet July 30th and he said she had early signs of Kennel cough. She finished her antibiotics and seemed fine so after 10 days I had her out playing and she was around a lot of dogs since then. I hear the cough again Saturday, take her to a different vet on Sunday (other one wasn't open) and the Dr. says to keep her quiet but she seems fine. Yesterday she started hacking, spitting up, and today she has no voice...normally she whines...etc. I ta

  • Puppy has a cough

    I have an 11 week old lab puppy. His nose was running a little when I brought him home 6 days ago and yesterday he started having a "gagging" cough. I have a vet appointment for more shots in 4 days. Should I wait that long to have him checked out? How do I tell if he has a fever and what is a normal temp? Thanks!

  • Does my dog have kennel cough or reverse sneezing?

    My dog a 1 year old pitbull female has been snorting a lot lately. Instead of snorting by blowing out like most do she is breathing in. Does she have kennel cough or is she reverse sneezing? Or is something else going on with her?

  • Does my dog have kennel cough without phlegm?

    my 1 year old border collie had kennel cough about 6 weeks ago at the time there were lots of phlegm. i have noticed she has started coughing again this time with no phlegm. could this be a different strain of kennel cough?

  • Differentials for chronic dog tachypnea

    When my 14 m.o. cat was about 5 months old, I noticed regular tachypnea (RR 40-80), worse when sleeping. She presents with no other symptoms except small appetite. She does restrict her own physical activity to short bursts of play. My vet ruled out asthma. Her Echo and ECG are normal. She had no response to steroids, treated for worms. Given her young age age & QOL, should I work with my vet to consult a specialist? My research includes possibilities for tracheal/subglottic stenosis/malacia.TY

  • Reverse sneezing in dogs

    My pug of 3 years has been sneezing for a week already. At first I thought it was something stuck in in her throat, but a friend with a dog told me about reverse sneezing. Should I take my pug to the vet or does the reverse sneezing just goes away?

  • Pug breathing issues

    Our two pugs exhibit snorts as "hocking a luggie". Although infrequent, this looks distressing. Is this serious/preventable?

  • Dogs breathing is difficult from congestion while sleeping. Why?

    My dog is 14 and this year he started to get a chronic stuffy nose when he lays down to sleep. It doesn't matter if he is on his side or curled up. He has a hard time breathing. He is a JRT, so I am pretty sure it is from years of digging! Is there anything we can use to clear his nose? Alkalol? Nose drops? He seems to use his whole body to breath and sleeps more, possibly from having a hard time sleeping peacefully. The vet just said this is an older dog problem, but is there any relief?

  • Why is my puppy breathing heavy?

    I have a pit bull puppy around 3 months old and she is constantly breathing very heavy, even after laying for over half an hour. It sounds as if she is panting but with her mouth closed. Is everything okay or should I be worried?

  • Is it dog choking? Struggling to breath, what is the problem?

    I was feeding my little dog a small piece of almond when all of a sudden she swallowed it and started to gasp for air. After a few seconds she seemed ok, but the gasping continues on and off especially after walking. Xrays have been taken and her lungs look clear. Could something still be stuck in her upper air way?

  • Collapsed trachea in my Pomeranian?

    My Pomeranian, Teaka, is a very happy and active young dog. She was in for a health examination 4 months ago, nothing was detected. Although about 2 months ago after drinking some water she began 'honking'. I thought maybe water went down the wrong hole, so I didn't think much of it... it happens to all of us!It has become increasingly worse and lately she has been 'honking' even when excited. I am getting increasing worried that it may be her tracheal collapsing or megasophagus. Help?

  • Dog respiratory: What is collasping mainstem bronchi in dogs?

    I have a 11 1/2 year old toy poodle that has just been diagnosed with both mainstem bronchi's collapsing. The vet says there is nothing they can do, but use meds to control the cough such as rx Lomotil and Hydrocodone on a daily basis and sedation pills if needed. Is this correct information that there is no surgery for this specific problem? How long will this breed live with collapsing Mainstem Bronchis?

  • My pug cross jack russell dogs breathing stopped for a few seconds. What's wrong?

    I came home from work and my dog fussed me as usual then he went floppy and stopped breathing. He came round but he was a bit off it for a while. What is wrong and what do I do if it occurs again?

  • Causes of lack of energy and heavy dog breathing?

    I have a 6 year old german shepard male, he is very large boned and has some joint problems. Last year he started having a lack in energy even with slight activity and has gotten worse the last few weeks with less energy and heavier breathing.

  • Why is my 12 year old Labrador dog panting so much from no exercise?.

    WHAT CAUSES EXCESSIVE PANTING EVEN WHEN THE DOG HAS NOT BEEN RUNNING OR OTHERWISE EXEERCISING?

  • What causes dog wheezing?

    My Beagle occasionally will start wheezing like she's having trouble breathing. She definitely has allergies. Could that be the cause or is it something else?

  • Home remedy to relieve dog cough?

    I read the question about human cough medicine, but I just want to know what you can give your dog to relieve the cough without a perscription?Thank You

  • Dog breathing is troubled through nose?

    My Japanese Chin appeared to vomit this morning but it was only foam, it seems the liquid is stuck in nose and she is having difficulty breathing. She can still breath through her mouth. When the episode first happened she ran around in a panick rubbing her face on the floor but now she is just laying around and doesnt want to be touch. I can hear her trying to breath through her nose and it just sounds like she has a stuffy nose. Is there anything that can be done to clear her nasal passage?

  • Does laryngeal paralysis ever cause a dog to suffocate?

    My 13.5 year old Golden has a mass on her spleen and laryngeal paralysis. I don't feel surgery is a good option after having her seen by 2 different vets. I do not, of course, want her to suffer or eventually suffocate. Does laryngeal paralysis ever get to the point where not air can pass and the dog suffocates?

  • Dog breath - seems like he can't catch his breath?

    My dog scares me. He act as if he is have a asthma attack. He starts sucking in and out for air as if he can't catch his breath. It has happened at night when he sleeping and in the daytime when he playing or begging for food. He is a one year old schnoodle. Thanks

  • See all questions in Respiratory

Please do not use our site to attempt to diagnose or treat your pet. Your veterinarian is the best source of health advice for an individual pet.

Please do use our site to become better informed about the medical problems your pet may have. We will do our best to ensure that information presented is accurate and up-to-date. The most current information will be at the top of each page. Remember that veterinarians often disagree about the best treatments for pets. There are often several perfectly acceptable ways to treat the same condition. Just ask a lot of questions!

For all emergency situations, please contact your local Emergency Pet Clinic or on-call Veterinarian. Answers are not provided in real time. We can not guarantee an answer to every question, nor can we provide timely responses to urgent questions in many instances.