Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 1 year and 4 months old | 42 lbs
Last night my dog woke me up making honking noises, followed by a gag. Nothing came up. Did it about 5 times. After breakfast, he hasn't done it since. He is a 1 year old, NM Basset Beagle Mix.
2 Answers

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 9th, 2017
Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 13th, 2018
Hello. You are describing the classic goose honk cough associated with tracheobronchitis, an infection that significantly irritates the trachea. There really is not much you can do at home, but your veterinarian can confirm the diagnosis & start Gizmo on the appropriate antibiotics. We will also often include some steroids to calm the irritation, but even with medications, it can still take up to 3 weeks for the entire infection to clear. You can help by keeping him cool & calm, walking him with a harness rather than a collar, & giving him a teaspoon of honey every few hours. This will calm a cough a little, but Gizmo should be seen by a veterinarian because in some cases this can worsen to pneumonia. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful