My sister's dog is hacking - is he in pain?

Question

My sister's almost 1-year old puppy becomes short of breath whenever he gets excited, and starts hacking like a cat. It really scares me, because I wonder if he has gotten a piece of rawhide or wood stuck inside his wee throat, or if it's from (sadly) still using a collar instead of a body harness on such a small dog? (Five pounds.)

Should we take him to the vet, or is this just something he does?

This is my sister's dog. My puppy did the same thing, so I switched him into a body harness. You need to shut the **** up and not tell me that I should feel guilty because of MY non-existent lack of parenting responsibility. Kthnx.

Answer 1

you should take him/her to the vet .. it could be the beginning stages of pneumonia, which is sometimes cause by getting water into the lungs, a virus (more likely than pneumonia) and possibly a heart problem ....... first check the collar, be sure you can get your fingers easily between the puppy and the collar. one more thing, being a puppy he may have gotten into something he shouldn't have. this is just a guess I cannot see your dog ..... the vet is the best and safest way to go in this case.

PS your a good mother :)

Answer 2

This is possibly normal. It depends on the breed. if it's a snmall dog like a chi, ponm and several tohers while they were bred down from a larger breed their pallet *( you know the thing that hangs down at the troat) will swell when they are excited and tickles their throat. it doesn't hurt but tickles and that causes them to do this.
for safety i would call the vet and ask them their oppinon.
Good luck

Answer 3

get to the vet NOW or be prepared to deal with the guilt of your lack of parenting responsibility later. Peace of mind is worth the trip. The behaviour is not normal hence a visit to the vet is a no brainer.

Answer 4

I would take him to the Doctor. Either he just gets over excited like little dogs do. Or he has a heart or pulmonary problem that needs to be addressed.
Just take him to the Vet. and ease your own mind!

Answer 5

i have a silky and she does is sometimes as well.
i have brought her to the vet and he got her checked and given her the all clear. he says she has a sensitive throat, which means when she pulls on the leash wit her collar on it irritates it and makes her cough.
i would get it checked up and see what the vet says.
good luck

Answer 6

Congestive heart failure.