Why does my dog gag and cough up phlegm or kibble after running?

Aww Marty is so handsome!! So part of this equation is how often is this happening? Is it just once or twice a week? In that case, I’m in the camp of “continue to watch and wait”. If this is daily or multiple times a day some further investigation is needed. You need to discuss the following with your vet but some possible next steps include: Recheck X-rays if it has been 3 months or more since his last set. If not done before, also include views of the neck as sometimes a mass in the throat or neck can cause this. Testing for locally occurring fungal diseases if applicable and/or trial treatment with an antifungal medication. Trial treatment with a short course of steroids. CT scan if available in your area. Sedated/anesthetized laryngeal exam. Best wishes to you and Marty!

Since it has been several weeks with no improvement, Mocha should be physically examined by your veterinarian for a complete workup. Chest x-rays should be done to assess the lungs and heart. If indicated, an echocardiogram can be done to further assess cardiac architecture and function. Blood and fecal samples can be submitted to test for parasites. A sputum sample can also be submitted to test for infection (bacterial or fungal). Any of these conditions can be the underlying cause for the symptoms described. Any treatment will depend on the diagnosis.

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!

It seems unlikely that is related to the choking incident two years ago unless there was severe damage causing scar tissue to accumulate. I recommend to get some sedated radiographs and to have his laryngeal area examined while he is sedated. While it may be nothing serious, having this examined is never a bed idea. Less common but still possible causing could include laryngeal parlysis or a tumor. Many times these diagnostics can be paired with something like a dental cleaning so that you are getting the full benefit of the sedation and checking multiple things off the list. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

If Panda had something stuck in his throat, he wouldn't be eating because any object there would prevent him from swallowing. It could be that his allergies are causing him to cough, or he could be getting a respiratory infection. Keep an eye on him for the next couple of days, and if the cough continues, take him into the vet. Rest him to see if that helps with it. If he develops other symptoms such as anorexia, sneezing, nasal discharge, and/or lethargy, then I would take him into the vet sooner. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Burger. The first step is to determine if he is vomiting or regurgitating as they have different causes. Vomiting is signified by retching and abdominal contractions. There may be signs of nausea that precede an episode. Regurgitation is the passive expulsion of esophageal or stomach contents. The material will slip up often times surprising the animal. You can try to video an episode to show your veterinarian. If he is regurgitating you will want to take chest x-rays to look at the size and shape of his esophagus. A dilated esophagus known as megaesophagus can result in pneumonia on the animal frequently chokes on its food. I hope this information gives you a starting point!

There are quite a few things that can cause a cough like this. Some common possibilities would include allergies, chronic bronchitis, a collapsing trachea, or heart disease. If the cough has been going on for a while, I would recommend discussing options for further work-up with your vet to help determine what is causing it. Diagnostic testing such as general blood work (a CBC and chemistry panel), chest x-rays, and heartworm testing would all be helpful, if these tests haven't been done already.