My dog acts like something's stuck in his throat. What should I do?

There could be several reasons why your dog is [coughing](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/coughing-1/). He could very well have something stuck in his throat or is trying to vomit something up and can't and will need medical intervention. If the symptoms continue, he needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If you know your dog has ingested something and is indeed [choking](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-to-do-if-you-think-your-dog-is-choking), you can perform the Heimlich maneuver if you feel comfortable doing so. A dog who is choking should also be taken to a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. A dog may also be coughing as a result of a viral respiratory infection, like canine parainfluenza, canine adenovirus, or [kennel cough](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/kennel-cough). The most common symptoms of viral infections in dogs can include lethargy, decreased appetite, coughing, exercise intolerance and an increased breathing rate. If you believe your is showing any of these symptoms in addition to coughing, it is important for him to be evaluated by a veterinarian. Finally, a condition known as "reverse sneezing" might also sound like a cough and can be alarming for pet parents to witness. Reverse sneezing is very common in pets and is usually not a cause for concern. When a dog reverse sneezes, it will often pull its head back and inhale forcefully through the nose and mouth, making a cough-like sound. It is thought to have an [allergic](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies/) component as the back portion of the nasal passages work to expel an irritant.

Her mouth may be painful or there could be something in her throat. Offer her some food and water. If she is able to eat and drink, there likely isn't something in her throat and I would take her into a vet in the morning to get this checked out. If she won't eat or drink, get her into a vet immediately.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If Biko is gagging, he may have something stuck in his throat and is trying to clear it. You can try offering him some wet dog food formed into a meatball to see if this helps push anything in his throat along. If the gagging continues or you are ever worried about how well Biko is breathing, I recommend having Biko seen by a veterinarian for an exam. Your vet may recommend chest x-rays to see if Biko has any primary lung issues or reasons for the gagging. I hope this is helpful!

It's hard to say, but if there is concern about something being stuck in the throat, I would have Bruno examined by a vet ASAP. Sometimes infections that cause kennel cough can cause these symptoms, but it is safer to rule out a possible foreign body or blockage first.

If the suspicious is a foreign body (fishbone) stuck in the airways I recommend to seek veterinarian attention asap, this is an emergency situation. The vet will explore the upper airways and remove the foreign body. In the meantime keep Zarek calm to reduce his stress in this difficult situation. Good luck. Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.

The most common reason that dogs will have exaggerated swallowing without any obvious reason is if they have irritation in their esophagus. This can occur from a number of reasons. Sometimes these dogs have had an episode of vomiting that has irritated the esophagus or sometimes they have some acid reflux from their stomach into the esophagus which is irritating the esophagus. Since it has been going on for 3 months, it is worth having your vet evaluate it. I would recommend taking a video of an episode for your vet to see during the appointment time. Your vet may recommend an acid reducer like Pepcid or Prilosec or may recommend a prescription medication to coat the esophagus like Sucralfate. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

It’s hard to know for sure without observing the behavior and being able to palpate his throat. I recommend to record the behavior and then make an appointment for an exam. There could be something stuck in his throat or a mass causing pain. Best of luck.