Why is my senior dog hacking and coughing like she's choking?

There could be a medical reason behind Sophie coughing such as heart disease. Unfortunately that can be common in older dogs, and the coughing would be due to fluid build up in the lungs because the heart doesn't pump properly anymore. It could also be a respiratory infection. Without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain what is going on with her, so I recommend having her seen by a vet in the morning. The vet can diagnose what is causing her coughing, and the best way to treat her. I hope this helps!

I would be extremely concerned about her having a cardiac issue. Please take her to your vet so they can check to see if she has a heart murmur as that can lead to heart failure. Coughing is one of the first symptoms. She is the right age and breed for this to be happening. The other likely cause would be a collapsing trachea. So again, please take her to your vet for an exam. Best wishes.

Molly needs to be seen by the veterinarian quickly. It is possible she is progressing into heart failure. Medication can often help this condition be managed but it needs proper diagnosis. Without treatment, this may progress quickly and prove fatal. Have her examined today. Best of luck.

It could be Oscar has a respiratory infection or it could be something more serious like heart disease causing his coughing. I'd take him into the vet in the morning to be examined, diagnosed, and treated. Best of luck.

Poor Maggie! There are quite a few things that could cause this type of cough in a 12-year-old dog. The most common possibilities would include chronic bronchitis, a respiratory infection, heart disease, and even cancer. An exam and chest x-rays would be needed to determine the cause, so I would recommend taking Maggie to the vet when you are able to. He/she can prescribe appropriate medication to treat the cough depending on the underlying problem.

Since it has been several weeks with no improvement, Mocha should be physically examined by your veterinarian for a complete workup. Chest x-rays should be done to assess the lungs and heart. If indicated, an echocardiogram can be done to further assess cardiac architecture and function. Blood and fecal samples can be submitted to test for parasites. A sputum sample can also be submitted to test for infection (bacterial or fungal). Any of these conditions can be the underlying cause for the symptoms described. Any treatment will depend on the diagnosis.

I agree that infection is less likely in Chandler if he is to around other animals. At Chandler's age I would be most concerned about heart disease causing his cough. In a Jack Russel terrier a collapsing trachea or even asthma could also be causing these signs. Unfortunately, cancer can also be a cause of coughing in an older dog. I definitely recommend you take Chandler to your veterinarian for an X-ray and examination. If heart disease is present medications can be started to reduce the cough. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Chandler is feeling better soon!