Why does my Cockapoo cough after drinking water with a collar?

Hazel could be coughing after drinking the water if it is cold and shocking her a little when she drinks, you could try giving her water at room temp. However, it could be a sign that there is a source of irritation in her throat. For example if she had a problem with the opening to her trachea some water could be going the wrong way causing her to cough. I would expect her to show other signs though if this was the case. If it gets worse or persists at could warrant an investigation at the vets. Most dogs will have a rest after a walk. As long as she has plenty of energy when out I wouldn't worry too much. Spayed dogs can still get an infection in the vagina so if she persistently licks or you can see a wound or discharge I would visit the vet.

Poor girl. Unfortunately there are no home remedies for an undetermined underlying cause for a cough. Coughing in itself can be caused by tracheal collapse, underlying heart condition, respiratory infection (kennel cough), etc. In order for you to treat her, we will need to find out the underlying cause. It sounds like she likely may have a kennel cough condition. Tracheal trauma is possible since you mentioned she was fine before trying out a new harness on her; however, most harnesses fit lower on the chest, which don't rub on the throat at all. Give her the rest of the day to see if things improve. You can also offer her a small amount of honey mixed with water, which can help reduce some inflammation in her throat. Continue to give her free access of water and keep her activity level to a minimum. If she is still coughing by tomorrow, then its best to take her in to your vet for a complete physical exam to hopefully narrow down some causes for this cough, so that it can be treated appropriately. I hope that Coco feels better soon! Best wishes and take care.

It sounds like your dog may have a collapsing trachea causing the cough. It would be a good idea to use a harness instead of a collar. Your vet can also prescribe medications to help if the condition persists or becomes more frequent. A bronchodilator and cough suppressant may help.

Hi, I'm Dr. Johnson. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think if she drinks water slowly and has no issue I think that she is just vomiting the water because she drinks it too fast. Just try to slow her down when she is drinking. I do not think she has kennel cough if she's had this hacking cough for months. Kennel cough is self limiting. You didn't indicate what breed Pepper is but I see that she is small. My best guess for the cough is that she has collapsing trachea. Collapsing trachea is a congenital abnormality of the tracheal rings making them weaker. It effects small breed dogs like Yorkies, Pomeranians, etc. Usually they cough when exercising or pulling on the leash. I'd monitor for progression of the cough or issues with her breathing. Keep her thin because dogs that are overweight have a harder time with collapsing tracheas Good luck!

A cough associated with drinking can be a sign of dysfunction of the nerves that affect the larynx and the vocal cords. There are many other potential causes of a cough ranging from bronchitis to heart disease. I would recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian for a physical exam. X-rays might be recommended as a first step.

Thanks for using PetCoach! In general, what you describe does fit with a collapsing trachea but I would also check out this video to make sure it’s not reverse sneezing you’re seeing. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U3L4v0W2_Sw If that is what you’re seeing, great news- it’s rarely anything to worry about. I’ve attached some links to more information about collapsing trachea but other, causes of coughing/wheezing include: kennel cough, allergic bronchitis (consider if anyone smokes anything in the home, incense, etc). And very unlikely but possible would be heart failure, fungal infection, and cancer. If it persists, worsens, or you’re concerned, it’s time to see the vet. Often x-rays are recommended to help narrow things down. https://www.petcoach.co/article/collapsed-trachea-in-dogs/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/coughing-in-dogs-and-cats-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment/ Hope this helps. Best of luck to you and Sophie!

Has your dog ever had an xray of his throat (windpipe)? If not I highly recommend that you talk to your veterinarian about such an x-ray. Small dogs often suffer from a collapsed trachea (wind pipe) and this can be diagnosed easily with radiographs. Here is some information: https://www.petcoach.co/article/collapsed-trachea-in-dogs/ I hope that helps.