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Why are my dogs coughing, congested, and acting like they're choking?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 8 months and 28 days old | 60 lbs

Both of my dogs my 10yr old jack russel terrier & my 9 month old sharpei/american pitbull terrier mix both have developed a cough that sounds like they have something stuck acting like they want to throw up but cant throw it up, & sound congested & act like they are choking on something at times. This has been going on for 3 days now. Do you have any ideas of what might be going on with both of them?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Published on May 13th, 2017

Kennel cough, or Bordetella, is a common upper respiratory pathogen that is very contagious between dogs, and usually dogs have a loud goose-honk cough, sometimes ending in coughing up a bit of phlegm. This could be going on with your dogs. Don't worry, it isn't life-threatening, but I usually put these dogs on an antitussive to help alleviate the cough and sometimes an antibiotic. If you don't take them to a vet, the cough should go away in a week or two, but make sure you don't let them socialize with other dogs as they will spread it around.
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