My 9-year-old Yorkie coughs and shakes when awake. What to do?

Hello, sorry to hear about Teddy. Given his breed, it sounds like he may have a common Yorkie disease called tracheomalacia or collapsing trachea. This happens when Yorkies have weak tracheal rings that cannot withstand the pressures of the windpipe on inspiration. This leads to a non-productive honking cough, sometimes referred to as a goose-honking cough. This disease however affects patients of middle to older age. Other causes of this may include kennel cough in young puppies, pneumonia, bronchitis, and even some heart conditions. If this cough persists, you should have Teddy seen by his veterinarian to further assess his cough and determine if additional diagnostics or treatments need to be implemented. In the interim, monitor his respiratory and seek emergency care if he is having a difficult time breathing, his coughing is getting worse, or if he develops any nasal/ocular discharge. Other signs may include a decreased appetite, lethargy, and vomiting. Hope this helps and best of luck.

This sounds like he has an upper respiratory condition or possibly early collapsed trachea. You will need to take him to your veterinarian for an exam and possibly x-rays. There is really nothing you can do other than keep him from over-exercising until you can take him to the vet.

With her age I recommend letting a veterinarian listen to her lungs. It can be heart or respiratory. If she has a murmur you may want to consider taking her to a cardiologist to have her heart evaluated. If her heart sounds fine I would talk to your veterinarian about tracheal collapse or respiratory diseases. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

That could be an early stage sign of tracheal collapse, or there may be a inflammation of the trachea or first airways (throat). Tracheal collapse is quite common in yorkies and is usually diagnosed by performing a radiographic evaluation of neck and chest. I would recommend a check up as if otherwise the signs are due to an inflammatory disease, anti-inflammatory and possibly antibiotics are required. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

It could be some tracheal irritation due to dry air or residual congestion from laying down all night. If he isn't coughing all day/night, exhibiting lethargy or does not tire easily then just mention it to your veterinarian during the visit. Your vet will likely listen to the heart and lungs during the exam. Chest xrays may be recommended if indicated by something found on exam. Sparky should have a heartworm test if this is his yearly exam. Heartworm disease can cause also coughing as can various infections.

I’m sorry to hear that Lexi isn’t feeling well. A common cause of cough in a young dog could still be kennel cough- it is very contagious and can even be transmitted on your clothes if you touched a contaminated object/person. Other causes although less likely at her age could be tracheal collapse, heartworm, heart disease, pneumonia, etc. I would reach out to your local humane society as they often have discounted care for those who qualify. Here is another link to help with resources. http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/ Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

He is adorable!! Sometimes Yorkies and other small breed dogs have a condition known as collapsing trachea, where the cartilage of the trachea is weak and results in the trachea temporarily narrowing (collapsing) which leads to a honking cough. If he recovers quickly and doesn’t become distressed, then at this time there’s no need for treatment if indeed that’s what’s going on. It may get worse with time, in which case cough suppressants can be tried. In severe cases, surgical stenting may be recommended. Ideally, take him to your vet so they can diagnose whether or not this is the problem and best advise you moving forward. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!