Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my senior pug coughing, gagging, not eating, and lethargic?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 8 years and 6 months old | 40 lbs

Hi my name is Tamara I have a 9 year female pug that's been coughing, gagging, makes weird sounds when she sleeps. She won't eat dog food her tail is down band her ears. She walks around slouchy.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on December 16th, 2019

Hi, and thanks for your question.
This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a tracheitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). Other possible differentials would include heart problems. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. X rays of her chest may be needed.
Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Christie Long, DVM
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on December 1st, 2016
From your profile information I can see Ella is about 6 years old, and a Pug. Certainly Pugs are prone to respiratory difficulties, and you've mentioned here that this is something you've dealt with pretty chronically in her for a while. However, I'm worried that the nature of this current problem is more about her gastrointestinal tract, since she's got no interest in food.

It's a bit concerning to me that she's retching without bringing anything up. This can be a confusing sign, and often dogs are actually coughing when we think they're trying to vomit. If there's any chance she could have been exposed to a dog that had kennel cough (especially if she's not vaccinated against it) I would potentially be concerned that she has that. One simple test that you can try at home is to massage her throat with your hand and see if you can stimulate her to cough/retch. This is a common sign of kennel cough, because the trachea is very sensitive with this disease.

If she is truly trying to vomit (and not cough) it's also worrisome from the standpoint that she's not actually bringing anything up. I don't know if she chews on rawhides, but these can become stuck in the esophagus, and it's nearly impossible for a dog to bring them up with vomiting - they have to be removed with an endoscope.

As it sounds to me like you're concerned, if I were you I would be inclined to try to call your vet back and voice your concerns regarding waiting until tomorrow to have her seen, and see if they will agree to see her this afternoon, or refer you to an emergency practice.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

What to do for my senior pug with cough, weight loss, and not eating?

I am so sorry that your elderly pug is so ill. Her symptoms are highly suggestive of underlying heart disease or even pneumonia. I would highly recommend taking her to your vet for an exam and some diagnostic testing (i.e. bloodwork or x-rays) and to discuss quality of life. : ( Poor Luxy. I hope that she ultimately is able to pull through this and recover. Best wishes and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My senior dog is hacking, wheezing, and throwing up. What's wrong?

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a tracheitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my senior dog coughing, congested, lethargic, and stumbling?

These signs could be compatible with a respiratory tract inflammation/infection or potentially could be related to heart disease. Considering the lethargy, a systemic sign, I would recommend a check up as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause and establish appropriate treatment. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Pug acting weird: drooling, swaying, not eating. What should I do?

These signs may be compatible with a balance problem related to a vestibular disorder. Often middle ear problems are suspected in these cases. Of course other differentials are still possible, especially gastrointestinal inflammations. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My senior dog is coughing, not eating, losing weight. What's wrong?

Poor Dagul! I am sorry that he doesn't feel well. Looking at the blood work his white blood count and kidney values are all elevated. The kidney values could be elevated simply due to dehydration but I cannot say for sure since I cannot see him myself. The white blood count being so high makes me concerned about a severe upper respiratory infection or even pneumonia. These blood results look like they were done in February so they really aren't very accurate now. I would strongly recommend have him seen again by your vet if possible and recheck the blood work. Your vet will be able to do a thorough exam and let you know whether or not he has a good chance of making it. Your vet may even recommend x-rays to ensure there is no tumors in the lungs causing issues as well. I am really concerned about him. I would also make sure he is continuing to eat and drink to help keep his hydration levels up. I hope this helps and he starts to feel better soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My senior pug won't eat, is losing weight, and sleeps all the time.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear that Gum seems to have a decreased appetite and is more lethargic. While these are vague clinical signs, these may be due to some sort of underlying disease of either the gastrointestinal tract, liver or kidney disease, and/or a possible neoplastic or cancerous process. Since he has had a decreased appetite long enough to lose weight, I recommend having him evaluated by your veterinarian at their next available appointment. Your vet can perform bloodwork to look for any evidence of systemic illness that may be contributing to his clinical signs. His clinical signs are unlikely due to behavioral changes alone. I hope this is helpful - best of luck with Gum!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My senior dog is coughing, vomiting, lethargic, and won't eat. Why?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear about Booda, she sounds very sick. Since she is vomiting, acting lethargic, not eating and having neurological signs, I would have her seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Especially in an older Golden, cancer is a top differential for the cause of her clinical signs. Your veterinarian will want to do a complete physical exam, along with bloodwork and/or x-rays to look for evidence of disease. Because she is coughing, I'm afraid she may have cancer in her lungs, or less likely something like pneumonia. Unfortunately, you may have to consider thinking about her quality of life. Vomiting, coughing, not eating and being unresponsive to stimuli are not indicative of a good quality of life. I hope this is helpful, and I'm very sorry to hear about Booda.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share