Why is my dog coughing like something is stuck? When to see a vet?

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 sounds like Zoey may have an upper respiratory infection such as kennel cough. This is a very contagious disease and she may have picked it up while walking outside, or when sniffing another dog. This is usually a self-limiting disease and will go away by itself within 4 weeks. If she gets a purulent discharge (nose and/or eyes), has trouble breathing or coughs more than a couple of times a day, you need to take her to the vet for an exam, antibiotics and cough medicine.

Kennel cough is a common cause of a loud honking cough and I find that people often think it sounds like something is stuck in the throat. If Jerry is eating and drinking normally and does not appear to be having trouble breathing you might monitor him for another few days - kennel cough will generally resolve in about 7 days without specific treatment. If the cough continues, if it is getting worse, if Jerry is having trouble breathing or seems lethargic, or if his appetite is decreased you should see a veterinarian. You could look into Care Credit as a payment option or visit this website: https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/yourvet/financial-assistance-veterinary-care-costs

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.

Scruffy's cough could be due to a number of underlying conditions, including a collapsing trachea, chronic bronchitis, kennel cough (unlikely if he has not been near other dogs in the past 2 weeks), heartworm disease, heart disease, pneumonia, among others. Scruffy should go to the vet at this point, particularly since his cough is getting worse. The vet will perform an exam and may need to take chest x-rays to get to the bottom of this issue so that the best course of treatment can be started. I hope that all goes well!

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/bacterial 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.

With his consistent symptoms, I recommend having him seen by the vet. There are many causes of respiratory symptoms, including heart disease, and I’m a bit concerned about his decreased exercise tolerance. Cantona may need medication to manage what’s driving his symptoms. Your vet will likely recommend chest x-rays to different a respiratory problem from a heart problem. Hope this helps!