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My dog sounds like a goose honking. Is it a cough? Should I see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 8 months and 19 days old | 8.6 lbs

My dog has been making goose-like honking noises for a while. It would go away after a couple minutes and come back after a while. A few days to a couple weeks would go by before another episode. At first we thought she ate something she wasn't supposed to but now we're getting worried. Should we take her to the vet or just keep a better eye on her?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 27th, 2017

Goose honking tells me that she is coughing. There are a few different things that can cause a cough. With puppies, it's more likely to be an infection or parasite causing this.

It's best to take her to the vet for an exam. They will be able to narrow-down the cause of this and can likely provide treatment that will stop the cough.

I hope that helps and Marquessa gets better soon.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on September 8th, 2017
When a dog has a"goose" cough I am always concerned about tracheal collapse or insufficiency. This would need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian through palpate on to the trachea as well as through diagnostic imaging. It is also possible that Gibbs has kennel cough, though this disease is usually mild and self limiting over the course of a few weeks. If it has only been a couple of weeks since the cough began, you could wait to see if it goes away on its own and is simply kennel cough.

If Gibbs seems short of breath, has difficulty breathing, seems quiet or lethargic I would take him in immediately for an examination.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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