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My dog coughs and gags when lying down. Why isn't treatment working?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 4 years and 11 months old | 18.5 lbs

My 4 yr old female NSB dog coughs while lying down. Local Vet has tried different approaches but just a few days after treatment has started, the coughing and gagging reflect continues.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on August 10th, 2017

It could be kennel cough, in that case coughing could remain up to 2 weeks after treatment started, but it could be something else such as a heart condition, heartworm or a lung disease. If the cough does not resolve within a few days I would recommend having an x-ray done in order to find out what is causing this.
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