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What causes a strange cough in my senior dog? Is it serious?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Toy Poodle | Male | neutered | 11 years and 7 months old | 9 lbs
12 year old toy poddle with a strange cough. What might cause this? Thank You.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 5th, 2018
1) the primary issue is airway
OR
2) the primary issue is the heart.
If the problem is his airway, it may be that he has a collapsing trachea, which results in a unique honking type cough. If the lower airways (the lungs) are the issue, it could be a number of possible causes including bronchitis, pneumonia, or cancer.
If the problem is his heart, coughing may result from congestive heart failure, which is a buildup of fluid in the lungs because the heart is not pumping effectively. We can also see a cough if the heart is enlarged and is pushing up on the trachea.
A visit to your vet is warranted, and chest xrays would help identify what is happening.
Please note:
His respiratory rate at rest should not persistently be more than 40 breaths in 1 minute. If his breathing is persistently faster than that or if he seems weak, it is an emergency.
If the cough is unrelenting and if his tongue starts to appear blue, it is an immediately life threatening emergency.
I hope Fred gets to feeling better soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Dr. Paula Simons
Veterinarian
Published on January 25th, 2020
Your dog has severe heart enlargement. For this reason, it is pressing his windpipe (trachea) upward and causing a narrowing which is the likely cause of his cough. Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent this. Ideally, you would keep him as quiet as possible and minimize his activity/stress. Your vet is correct, it doesn't look like he has pulmonary edema. You may want to consider medication to keep him more relaxed to prevent excessive coughing.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on April 10th, 2020
Yes, it could be possible he has a collapsing trachea but in a dog his age, this cough could also be due to heart disease. I'd have him seen by a vet for this problem this weekend. The vet can do blood work, a urinalysis, and chest x-rays. The vet can diagnose what is causing his cough and can treat him. If he does have heart disease, it cannot be cured but it can be managed medically. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on December 5th, 2016
Have Choco rechecked by your veterinarian. An exam and chest xrays should be done to rule out respiratory infection or an enlarged heart. Either can account for the progressive cough. An echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) can be done to assess cardiac architecture and function.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful