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Why is my 6-month-old puppy coughing and gagging like she'll throw up?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 6 months and 16 days old | 35 lbs

Hi, I have a puppy 6months old. Pin Tzu(Mini Pincher x Shitzu.) She began coughing since Sunday(june18,2017) until today of June 20,2017. The coughs seem to be worsens. The cough produce loud gaggles, which is like she's about to throw up. I was suspecting it is a 'HeartWorm' disease. We recently had her last June13,2017. Her prevoius owner never gave her any vaccine. Until we started her first shot. I was about to visit our Veterinary this day. Any help and recommendation will be appreciated.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on June 19th, 2017

Poor Mila Mumu! The most common cause of coughing in a puppy this age would be a respiratory infection such as kennel cough - if this is the problem, it should be easily treatable with antibiotics. The good news is, it's really not possible for her to have heartworm disease at her age - this illness takes a very long time to develop after being infected, so we don't typically see symptoms of it in dogs less than 2-3 years old at minimum.

It's good that you're planning to take your pup in to the vet today for an exam. He/she will listen to her heart and lungs, and may recommend chest x-rays or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem. If she does have kennel cough (or something similar), your vet will probably send her home with antibiotics to treat the infection.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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