9mo chihuahua just started a honking like cough. Is this normal?

Question

The coughing usually lasts only a 1-20 seconds but it scares her. She is active and healthy, is this cough typical for small breeds?

Answer 1

I was reading some of your answers to this question.It is funny how everyone knows their answer is right. Listen to the chihuahua owner, they have had experience. I would pose this question to your vet though. Good Luck and lots of puppy kisses to you!
PS Kennel cough usually happens right away when you first get the puppy.If you have had him/her for a while, you can rule out kennel cough.

Answer 2

It sounds a lot like Kennel Cough (Bordatella). Usually kennel cough is obvious when the dog is excited or running around. It sounds like the dog has something in its throat and is trying to hack it up. An easy way to test for this is to put the flat of some of your fingers against the base of the dog's throat (in the front) and press in slightly. If the dog starts coughing, it's most likely kennel cough. Usually kennel cough lasts for about 10 days. Vets generally let the cough run its course, but supplement the dog with antibiotics to help stave off any opportunistic infection that might want to invade while the dog is fighting the cough. (Kennel cough is bacterial, not viral, and doesn't respond to antibiotics itself.)

It could also be "reverse sneezing" (the dog tries to suck mucus from its nose and down its throat making it "cough"). It's not unusual for small dogs to do this.

Just to be sure, we'd suggest that you have the vet check her out, just to rule out anything more serious.

Answer 3

It is not kennel cough,, I have 7 chi's and most of them do it. It is the wind pipe closing because the are so small, it is normal for the breed. It can sometimes last up to 5 min. But it is nothing to worry about

Answer 4

I asked my vet when my 5 mo old Chihuahua began doing it and she said it was normal. It's not a sickness or disorder, but a reaction to an allergy or something in the air...kind of like a cough. It scares my puppy, too. But, I just hold her til it's over. She is getting more used to it now. Good luck!

Answer 5

it sounds like it could be kennel cough. you could put benylin for chesty coughs (baby benylin) on her food or fenugreek and garlic tablets. or take her to the vets and theyll put your dog on medication. without treating the cough it could last up to 3 or 4 weeks. but kennel cough is contagious so keep her away from other dogs that havent been treated against kennel cough. if you go to the vet it should clear within a week.

Answer 6

It could be kennel cough, or it could just be that she has something in her throat...you say she just started? Most likely it's something that she swallowed, or maybe if she ate her food really fast or drank a lot of water...if it goes on for longer than a day or so, it could be kennel cough, especially if she has been around other dogs recently. If this is the case, taker her to the vet and they can prescribe medication for her that will clear it up quickly.

Answer 7

Kennel cough. The vet can prescribed medicine and it will clear up in 7-10 days.

Answer 8

It's probably "reverse sneezing" - It sounds as though the dog has something caught in the air passage. It's believed to be a temporary spasm of the throat muscles. Just cuddle your dog until it passes. No treatment is necessary.
-MM

Answer 9

The Chihuahua honk. It's normal. Strange, but normal for Chis.

Answer 10

How long has it been going on? I don't think so, so take her to to vet and let her know what is going on. They can give you something to help your dog out with the cough.