my dogs cough vs gagging?

Question

my dog, especially when excited or nervous will start wit what sounds like a cough, then turns into a gag, then kinda like he is going to throw up, but he never does, he will do this over and over until he is settled down, is this just nerves or heart warms can make them gag, i know, take him to the vet, he has been. any ideas. thnx

Answer 1

"Dogs contract coughs from infections, including fungi, airborne viruses and bacteria and certain parasites, such as heartworms, parasite migration through the lungs, asthma and bronchitis," Nelson said.

Allergies, heart conditions, wind pipe disease, tumors or cancers of the lungs and inhalation from foreign particles, such as cigarette smoke, also can lead to a cough. Depending on the cause of the cough, it can last from hours to days or it can be a lifelong problem. If your dog's cough lasts for more than five days, you should be concerned.

Coughs also can be seasonal, especially if the cough is a result of allergies, Nelson said. Infectious agents, viruses and bacterium tend to occur more in the fall and winter months, but not always> http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/10963/

I would first thing, change food to a hypoallergenic formula, such as the great ones from Solid Gold, or Wellness, or Innova.. You can find these at your pet supply shop..(NOT science diet) ..
These have the needed antioxidants to fight any infection..and will often alleviate the condition, as the dog isn't reacting to food allergies..
If you walk your dog, you might consider a harness, and no collar....

Answer 2

This is a common problem in a lot of the toy or smaller breeds. You can ease it by massaging the neck. However, you mentioned heartworms! You said it had been to vet. Was the dog tested??? Is your dog not on heartworm prevention? Yes, later stages of heartworm positive dogs will cough and gag. The heartworms are congesting the heart itself and it is deadly.

Dogs do clear their nose/throat. It's like a sneeze for them. And it does happen when get too excited. If you are sure not heartworms then try the messaging the next time and see if helps. Also, could be a allergy situation.

Answer 3

When you took him to the vet did you get him tested for heartworms?? You are right in that heartworms can make them gag and wheeze when they get excited. If you didn't get him tested, you really should. Another option would be Kennel Cough, especially if he has never been vaccinated and has been around other dogs or boarded recently. It could just be a cold if it has just started recently. You can get him antibiotics from a vet if this is what the vet says it is.

Answer 4

I would stay away from harnesses, as often this will encourage the dog to pull on the leash. A regular buckle collar is best for the dog. Also, there is no reason why you can't enroll in class now, just because the prior owners did not work well with him in class, this should not stop you. The class will help in gaining the respect from the dog that he acknowledges you as the pack leader. You don't want a "Stern" authority, just an understanding of pack order. This can be accomplished easily through training. If you have trained dogs before you may able to do this at home, however, if you have not, or have not worked with small dogs, a class is the best.

Answer 5

You did not state what the vet gave as the reason for his cough. If he did not test him to try to find the cause, I`d change vets.
Otherwise, if ur dog is a small breed, it is common for the trachea to narrow when they get excited or very active, causing coughing and gagging. But u need to be sure it is not something serious or life threatening. Only a competent vet can diagnose ur dogs problem.

Answer 6

what type of dog do you have? search the internet for your dog's specifications. because some dogs, really have the attitude of gagging when they are exhausted. it is normal but it should not happen all the time. check out the internet.

Answer 7

If your dog is over 6 months old, please have him checked for heart worms. I had a dog along time ago that coughed alot, and it was heartworms. I hope you dog gets better.

Answer 8

Maybe kennel cough?? The vet should be able to diagnose him.

Answer 9

What are heart warms?

Answer 10

Check for hair balls.