My dog coughs and gags when running but has energy. What's wrong?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Gucci. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian as he may have an upper respiratory tract infection. It is characterized by a hacking gagging cough that may produce a white foamy material. If this is the case, he will likely need an antibiotic. Be sure to keep him home and away from other dogs as he may be contagious. I hope this information helps!

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.

I hate to hear your pet is coughing so much. Unfortunately, it's impossible to know the underlying cause of the coughing without a physical exam and possible radiographs. Pets can cough due to allergies, parasites, collapsing trachea, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, infections or something stuck in the throat. Treatment is different for each of these conditions. I recommend to have your pet examined by again the veterinarian. if a treatment doesn't work, it usually means the true cause of the coughing has not been discovered. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

It sounds like DanDan may be in a bit of distress and may have something stuck in his throat. Other causes could include irritation of the throat or lungs either from eating something, infection, etc. If he seems in distress and is continually trying to vomit, cough, or gag without results, bringing him to a vet ASAP for an exam is best, especially if he is also lethargic and not acting himself.

The most likely causes are an infection or allergies. An object stuck in the nose is possible but typically tends to be one sided and will start to have greenish discharge. If she starts to get worse or doesn’t get better, have her examined by her veterinarian. Hope she continues improving. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Poor Popeye. This can be a sign of a respiratory infection or something more serious such as a collapsing trachea or heart disease. Without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain what is going on. I recommend getting him checked out by a vet. The vet can do a physical exam, blood work, a urinalysis, and possibly chest x-rays to see what is causing his cough. Once a diagnosis is made, the vet can discuss treatment options with you. Please call his vet now to make him an appointment. Best of luck.

Coughing can be a respiratory issue, heart disease, foreign body in his throat, laryngeal paralysis etc. I would recommend Jack Beck see a vet especially if it seems to be tiring him out. He needs an exam and possibly X-rays