Why is my dog hacking like a cat and struggling to breathe?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Sissy! How old is Sissy? My biggest concern is your comment about labored breathing. When owners comment that the breathing is abnormal then I have to recommend an immediate veterinary exam. Possible causes of coughing and labored breathing are: Kennel cough (especially if she is around other dogs a lot), pneumonia, congestive heart failure, collapsing trachea, laryngeal paralysis, cancer. Once your Vet examines her and gets a good history they may want to take X-rays of her chest. Hopefully she just has kennel cough and needs some antibiotics and cough tabs. I hope this helps and I wish Sissy a speedy recovery!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Breathing problems can be a sign of many conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Bailey evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include thoracic radiographs and bloodwork. Treatment would be dependent on findings. Good luck and have a good night!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It sounds like Jack is having a rough go of things lately. There are a plethora of causes for cough and vomiting/regurgitation which is what it sounds like he has. Chest x-rays are the first diagnostic needed to assess the lungs for disease, so I would recommend having some taken. If they were taken initially, retaking them would be a good idea. With the vomiting, abdominal x-rays could be helpful as well. This is a case where a consultation would be helpful as I could ask more pointed questions and perhaps guide you with a better list of likely causes to the issue. I hope this helps, and I'm sorry I can't narrow it down further without more information. I hope Jack is doing okay and things turn around for the better soon!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The symptoms you are describing sound like an emergency. The description of heavy breathing, retching, and contracting abdomen sound like the symptoms of a gastric dilatation/volvulus, or bloat. This happens when the stomach is filled with air and can even twist on itself and is more common in large breed dogs. The condition is extremely uncomfortable, and requires immediate stabilization and possibly surgery. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary care, especially if there is torsion. I recommend getting your dog to the vet as soon as possible. There are 24-hour emergency clinics in most cities that are open overnight and will be able to stabilize your dog.

These symptoms can be caused by a variety of different problems, including heart disease, bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus), liver disease, or internal bleeding. Many of these problems are extremely serious, so I would recommend taking Missy to your nearest emergency clinic immediately. The veterinarian there can do blood work and x-rays if needed to help diagnose the problem and get her started on appropriate treatment.

Hi, thanks for usnig Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry your dog is sick! It would be helpful to know your dogs age and if she is spayed. Also if she is having trouble urinating or defecating? Anytime an animal is not breathing normally it is an emergency. Sometimes the breathing can look abnormal when they are in pain or have a fever but there are more serious causes for trouble breathing that are life threatening: heart failure, pneumonia, pleural effusion, cancer. The abnormal breathing alone is a reason to take her to an emergency room now. If you mean she is straining to urinate and is NOT passing urine, that is also a life threatening problem and see should be taken to an open emergency room. Causes of being unable or urinate are most commonly from a bladder stone stuck in the urethra or a bladder tumor. When dogs strain to pee they can vomit and pant due to pain If she is straining to poop, then that likely means she has diarrhea and feels the urge to go but doesn't have any stool to pass. Since she is also vomiting she could have an upset stomach from: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infection, ate something gross, food change, new treat or table food, pancreatitis, toxin ingestion. If she is straining to poop then that can wait for your vet to open. Trouble breathing and urinating shouldn't wait. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best!

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like Brio is very uncomfortable and likely needs to get immediate veterinary care. She may have something stuck in her throat or her stomach. I would take her to an emergency clinic to be seen especially since her mouth is open and she is gagging. Good luck!