Why is my Pomeranian coughing like she's hacking up a hairball?

Hello! A cough like the one you're describing in a little dog like Lace, I'd be worried about a collapsing trachea or congestive heart failure - both conditions are very common in little dogs and can cause dramatic coughs. Other possibilities would be kennel cough, pneumonia, allergies, and parasites. Hairballs are pretty uncommon in dogs, though bronchitis is possible if this were an allergic issue - but allergic coughs usually start at a younger age. With such dramatic onset, I definitely recommend having Lace seen by a vet, and anticipate they'll take chest x-rays to evaluate what's going on with her heart and lungs. Hope this helps.

Cough can be caused by an infection, heart problem or lung condition, it is important to first know the cause before treating it as treatment is different from condition to another. The most common disease causing cough is a viral/bacterial infection called Kennel cough, this disease usually resolves without treatment within a couple weeks but if the cough is too severe it is recommended to go to the vet in order to get cough medicine and antibiotics.

I am sorry to hear that your fur baby is having some coughing that seems to get worse with excitement or exercise. It sounds like your fur baby may have an issue with her trachea (i.e. tracheal collapse) that affects small breed dogs more often and causes coughing during excessive play. This can be easily diagnosed with an x-ray and treated if the condition gets worse or impedes your pets daily activity. It can be helped with medications prescribed by your vet in most cases, so its best to schedule an appt soon. Here is more information on the condition I believe your pet Baby girl has --> https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951968 Other possible causes for this are an underlying lung condition, or an airway infection. Best wishes with your fur baby and I hope that she feels better soon! Take care.

Hello. Hope is such a cutie! A cough may be due to inflammation, irritation, infection or something more serious like heart disease, heartworms or some primary lung disease. Hope does not look like an old dog, so a serious problem is less likely. If you have any honey, this is a great, natural way to ease a cough. Give her a teaspoon every 3-4 hours & if the cough continues & worsens into tomorrow, do have her evaluated by your veterinarian. She may benefit greatly from some medications, such as antibiotics or a cough suppressant. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Poochie. Poor girl. There could be a couple of things going on with her causing this cough. It could be a respiratory infection, it could be a collapsing trachea, it could be kennel cough, or it could be something more serious like heart disease. I'd have her seen by a vet in the morning for this problem. The vet can diagnose what is causing it, and can treat her. I hope this helps!

Cough can be caused by an infection, heart problem or lung condition, it is important to first know the cause before treating it as treatment is different from condition to another. The most common disease causing cough is a viral/bacterial infection called Kennel cough, this disease usually resolves without treatment within a couple weeks but if the cough is too severe it is recommended to go to the vet in order to get cough medicine and antibiotics.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This symptom in a small breed dog, like Axel is often related to collapsing trachea. Please, take Axel to your local vets for an appointment. Fully clinical examination and potentially x-ray of the neck and chest should allow making the definite diagnosis. If the cough is frequent and is bothering your dog, your vet may prescribe him a course of anti-inflammatory medications or/and antibiotics.