Sometimes my dog makes wierd choking/coughing noises?

Question

Sometimes my dog makes wierd choking/coughing noises like she is choking but shes not eating or drinking. A while back she did it a few times a day but now its just once a week or so. Should I be worried? What could it be?

She's a little pekenise poodle mix only 10 pounds and she is 7 years old.

Answer 1

Please be aware that coughing can be a sign of heart trouble in a dog. Also be aware that this is more likely as the dog is getting old.

It's hard to say what kind of cough it is without seeing and hearing the dog do it. I don't therefore advise that you just think 'backwards sneeze' and ignore it. Go to the vet. Even if your dog doesn't demonstrate the cough for the vet (and when do they ever) the vet can listen to her heart and examine her to see if there might be a problem and if this merits further investigation. This examination will not be expensive, and it's the only sure way to know if you can relax or not - people on Yahoo Answers can't really help with this sort of thing!

Chalice

Answer 2

With Pekanese in her she could be reverse sneezing.
Reverse Sneezing (Pharyngeal Gag Reflex)

Authored by: Becky Lundgren, DVM

Reverse sneezing is a disconcerting event in which a dog makes unpleasant respiratory sounds that sound like it is dying -- or will die in the next few minutes. Reverse sneezing sounds similar to the honking noise made by a dog with a collapsing trachea, but reverse sneezing is a far simpler condition that usually does not need any treatment. It is called reverse sneezing because it sounds a bit like a dog inhaling sneezes. The sound the dog makes can be so scary that many owners have rushed in a panic to emergency clinics in the middle of the night.

The most common cause of reverse sneezing is an irritation of the soft palate and throat that results in a spasm. During the spasm, the dog’s neck will extend and the chest will expand as the dog tries harder to inhale. The problem is that the trachea has narrowed and it’s hard to get the normal amount of air into the lungs.

Anything that irritates the throat can cause this spasm and subsequent sneeze. Causes include excitement, eating or drinking, exercise intolerance, pulling on a leash, mites, pollen, foreign bodies caught in the throat, perfumes, viruses, household chemicals, allergies, and post-nasal drip. If an irritant in the house is the cause, taking the dog outside can help simply because the dog will no longer be inhaling the irritant. Brachycephalic dogs (those with flat faces, such as Pugs and Boxers) with elongated soft palates occasionally suck the elongated palate into the throat while inhaling, causing reverse sneezing. Small dogs are particularly prone to it, possibly because they have smaller throats.

Reverse sneezing itself rarely requires treatment. If the sneezing stops, the spasm is over. Oftentimes, you can massage the dog’s throat to stop the spasm; sometimes it’s effective to cover the nostrils, which makes the dog swallow, which clears out whatever the irritation is and stops the sneezing. If the episode doesn't end quickly, you can try depressing the dog’s tongue, which opens up the mouth and aids in moving air through the nasal passages. Treatment of the underlying cause, if known, is useful. If mites are in the laryngeal area, your veterinarian may use drugs such as ivermectin to get rid of the mites. If allergies are the root of the problem, your veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines. Because reverse sneezing is not a severe problem, do not worry about leaving your dog home alone; if it occurs when you're not there, the episode will most likely end on its own.

If reverse sneezing becomes a chronic problem rather than an occasional occurrence, your veterinarian may need to look up the nasal passages (rhinoscopy), and may even need to take a biopsy to determine the cause of the problem. Sometimes, however, no cause can be identified.

Some dogs have these episodes their entire lives; some dogs develop the condition only as they age. In most dogs, however, the spasm is a temporary problem that goes away on its own, leaving the dog with no after-effects.

Answer 3

Most dogs with small faces, or smushed in noses do make that noise, but it could also be heart worms!! You may need to have it checked by the vet. My boston terrier did the very same thing and he died of heart worms, so i would definetly get him checked.

Answer 4

She could be REVERSE SNEEZING -
It's very common in brachiocephalic dogs (short muzzled)
No one knows why it happens but it is common in the spring!
It's absolutely nothing to worry about and usually goes away on it's own, if that's what it is.
Or perhaps she has hair stuck in her throat she is trying to get rid of.
As usual, call your vet if it keeps up.
Good luck!
you can find lots of information on reverse sneezing on the internet if you want to read more about it.

Answer 5

It's probably reverse sneezing, which is the soft tissue in the back of the roof of her mouth prolapsing. You can help her stop by cupping your hand over her muzzle and applying gentle pressure to her nostrils, or by softly stroking her throat.

Answer 6

No, you shouldn't be worried. My dog's do that all the time. I asked my vet and he said it's a backwards-sneeze. When it starts to happen, you can put your fingers/hand over their nose. Or, you can just wait for it to go away. Don't stress about anything, it's nothing serious and your pup will be fine. ;)

Answer 7

sometimes their trachea collapses you might have the vet check her out. my small dog has this happen to her from time to time and I can't figure out why either