Why does my dog's cough sound like something stuck in his throat?

There could be several reasons why your dog is [coughing](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/coughing-1/). He could very well have something stuck in his throat or is trying to vomit something up and can't and will need medical intervention. If the symptoms continue, he needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If you know your dog has ingested something and is indeed [choking](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-to-do-if-you-think-your-dog-is-choking), you can perform the Heimlich maneuver if you feel comfortable doing so. A dog who is choking should also be taken to a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. A dog may also be coughing as a result of a viral respiratory infection, like canine parainfluenza, canine adenovirus, or [kennel cough](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/kennel-cough). The most common symptoms of viral infections in dogs can include lethargy, decreased appetite, coughing, exercise intolerance and an increased breathing rate. If you believe your is showing any of these symptoms in addition to coughing, it is important for him to be evaluated by a veterinarian. Finally, a condition known as "reverse sneezing" might also sound like a cough and can be alarming for pet parents to witness. Reverse sneezing is very common in pets and is usually not a cause for concern. When a dog reverse sneezes, it will often pull its head back and inhale forcefully through the nose and mouth, making a cough-like sound. It is thought to have an [allergic](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies/) component as the back portion of the nasal passages work to expel an irritant.

It could be kennel cough, scratch in the throat from chewing on hard objects or swelling in the throat from being stung in the throat by an insect. As long as your dog is acting as normal, eating food and keeping it down you should monitor him at home. Kennel cough symptoms usually resolve within 7-10 days without treatment. However, if your dog continues to cough or becomes lethargic and off food, you should get him checked by your local vets.

From the description of the cough for Marshall it sounds like kennel cough. Kennel cough can sound like a honking cough or a hacking noise and can occur at any random time but more frequently when excited or with exercise. Other reasons for cough with Marshall can be: parasite infection allergies pneumonia (much less likely) inhaled foreign body (much less likely) I would recommend to keep him away from other dogs while he is coughing in case he has kennel cough and is contagious. If his cough persists and/or worsens, stops eating, or acts lethargic, please schedule an appointment with his veterinarian so they can examine him and determine the cause of his cough.

Cough can be caused by an infection, heart problem or lung condition, it is important to first know the cause before treating it as treatment is different from condition to another. The most common disease causing cough is a viral infection called Kennel cough, this disease usually resolves without treatment within a couple weeks but if the cough is too severe it is recommended to go to the vet in order to get cough medicine and antibiotics.

This type can commonly caused by kennel cough. It is usually self-limiting, meaning the body will clear the infection by itself, but if the cough persists for 24-48 hours, then I recommend that Murray get checked out by a vet for antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to hopefully shorten the time of infection. Less common causes of this type of cough would include heart disease, lung disease, abnormalities of the trachea, among a few others. If you notice that Murray is panting a lot of having trouble breathing, has a decreased appetite, or starts vomiting, then he should see a vet immediately.

It's pretty rare that dogs actually get something stuck in the back of the throat. More likely her throat is irritated, or she has an infection like kennel cough. If the cough continues I'd recommend seeing your veterinarian: while it's difficult to see the very back of a dog's throat without sedation, your vet can help determine what is causing the cough.

There are a few different reasons pets can make the sound. It could be related to a collapsing trachea, fluid in the lungs or laryngeal paralysis. Try to record a video of the coughing and then have your pup examined by the veterinarian. The doctor may recommend radiographs after the physical exam and watching the video. I hope this helps.