My active dog is coughing and gagging. Should I take him to the vet?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Tobi. The coughing/gagging sound you described can be a sign of a respiratory tract infection. Infected dogs can also cough up a white foamy material. If this continues, he will need to see a veterinarian. If he does have an infection, antibiotics may be necessary. I hope this information helps!

I always think a cough is worth evaluating. Some reasons are more benign than others, but it is always a good idea to know why your dog is coughing so you can be aware of how it may progress and prevent future problems. The first step is to have your veterinarian examine Scooter and take x-rays of his chest. That will evaluate his trachea for tracheal collapse (https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1527), his lungs for evidence of bronchitis (https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3151), his heart for evidence of heart disease, as well as a number of other conditions. Each of those diseases has different treatments and potential complications, so we want to know what to expect in the future if Scooter has any of those diseases. And sometimes treatment will really help them feel better even if you think his lack of activity is normal for him, it may be due to his cough, so treating it may be very beneficial. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Trigo is adorable! It is concerning that Trigo has lost his appetite. The coughing and sneezing, especially if accompanied by nasal discharge can be caused by an upper respiratory infection or even pneumonia. These conditions require a veterinary exam and potentially bloodwork and x-rays to diagnose and treat. I recommend having Trigo seen by a vet as soon as possible. He should be seen immediately if he is unresponsive or you believe he is having trouble breathing. I hope all is well!

Poor guy. If the coughing is lasting more than 12-24 hrs, then there is a good chance Toby has a bit of an upper respiratory infection (i.e. Kennel cough). I would highly recommend taking him in to your local vet to get treatment, which usually consists of a short course of antibiotics to clear things up. Pet vaccinated with the Bordetella vaccine once every 6-12 months are protected up to 87% from contracting URI's, so this would be best to do once Tobby is feeling better. : ) I hope that your fur baby feels better soon! Best wishes and take care.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Toby has been unwell. It sounds like he may have a cold (i.e. kennel cough). Other possibilities include pneumonia, or heart issues. I would recommend taking Toby to the vet if his coughing and lethargy doesn't improve within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, keep up his food and water intake, and allow him plenty of opportunities to rest. If it is kennel cough, you'll want to keep him away from other dogs anyway as it is contagious. I hope this helps, and that Toby is feeling better soon!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Coughing can be a sign of many conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, among many other possibilities. This cannot be treated at home without knowing what is going on. I recommend that you have Milo evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include thoracic radiographs and bloodwork. Treatment would be dependent on findings. Good luck and have a good night!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While kennel cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica, other bacteria and viruses can cause upper respiratory infections. These can occasionally progress to pneumonia if not treated appropriately with antibiotics and supportive care. Other causes of coughing include collapsing trachea, heartworm disease, heart disease, and masses. I recommend having Tator seen by a vet to rule out the conditions above and receive appropriate treatment. In the meantime, I recommend limiting Tator’s activity so that he does not get stressed and using a harness rather than a collar for walks.