When your dear old dog is coughing and gagging, it’s easy to start worrying. Could it be something serious? Or did your dog just have something that “went down the wrong tube”? To help you make sense of it all, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby discusses seven common reasons for coughing and gagging and reviews when to call the vet. She also gives an overview of what to expect at the vet and discusses some home remedies.
If you have a furry best friend who tends to eat and drink too quickly, you might hear the occasional gag or cough immediately afterward. This can be very alarming at first. But thankfully, the average pup goes right back to normal following this display.
However, what happens when a cough seems unprovoked by the “usual” causes? And what does it mean when an older dog is coughing or gagging? To answer those questions, we first need to look at what makes a cough or gag happen.
Why do dogs cough and gag?
Like in humans, your dog’s ability to cough or gag is a normal protective mechanism. It can help expel foreign things (food, saliva, water, etc.) from the back of the throat and airways. Or it may occur in response to irritation of those areas. To better understand what is happening, it helps to have a brief anatomy lesson.
In the back of your dog’s mouth, there are openings to two tubular structures—the esophagus and the trachea. Food and water pass into the stomach through the esophagus. Air passes into the lungs through the trachea.
At the top of the trachea sits the larynx. One of the jobs of the larynx is to keep food and water from accidentally entering the trachea. The larynx has two lines of defense.
First, there is a small soft tissue flap called the epiglottis. It closes over the entrance to the larynx whenever a dog swallows and opens when the dog breathes. Additionally, there are two vocal folds in the larynx which open each time a dog inhales and close again after exhalation.
In theory, the larynx should keep all foreign material out of the airways. But in reality, that doesn’t always happen. This means the body needs a way to get food, water, or other foreign material out of the airways again.
The anatomy of a cough
If something other than air accidentally gets into the larynx or if the larynx is irritated, nerves send a signal to the brain to trigger a cough or gag. Additionally, there are nerve endings in the airways of the lungs that can also trigger a cough in response to the same stimuli.
To create a cough, the diaphragm muscle (which separate the chest from the abdomen) contracts, filling the lungs with air. In a matter of moments, as the air in the lungs gets squeezed upward and outward, the larynx closes and then opens. The force of the air trying to evacuate against a closed larynx pressurizes the lung air.
This puts a little more “oomph” behind the air trying to leave the body. In this way, things that shouldn’t be present in the airways like allergens, food or water, mucus, etc., can be removed from the body via a cough.
Is my dog coughing and gagging? Or vomiting?
Based on the description, it would seem that coughing is a distinct act. However, where things get a bit more complicated is that dogs may also gag before or after a cough. And gagging can sometimes look a bit like attempting to vomit.
Generally speaking, a different list of things causes coughing and gagging than causes vomiting. In order to figure out what is happening with your dog, it is helpful if you use the right words when talking to the vet. So let’s take a look at how to tell the difference between coughing, gagging, and vomiting.
Signs a dog is coughing
A coughing dog is more likely to have short, hacking sounds that involve movement of the chest. He or she may occasionally have a small bit of saliva or clear fluid fly from the mouth. Sometimes coughing is dry, or nonproductive. Other times, coughing is productive. This means that the cough brings up mucus, which the dog either swallows again or spits out.
Signs a dog is gagging
When gagging, the dog will open the mouth wide and make a retching or hacking sound. The dog may not bring anything up, or he or she might expel a little saliva, mucous, or white foam. As I mentioned earlier, gagging tends to accompany coughing.
Signs a dog is nauseous
On the other hand, if a dog is nauseous, he or she may be salivating profusely or licking his or her lips. Then when vomiting, a dog usually has abdominal contractions that accompany the retching sound. Shortly after, it is common to see the production of stomach contents, which can range from food to yellow or clear fluid. Sometimes vomiting can also bring up foam, which tends to be stained yellow from bile.
7 reasons for an older dog coughing and gagging
Now that you know how to distinguish coughing and gagging from vomiting, it is time to dive into the seven most common respiratory causes of coughing and gagging. This list isn’t all-inclusive. But it does provide a good starting point for thinking through what might be going on with your dog.
1. Laryngeal paralysis
In the anatomy section, we discussed how the opening and closing of the vocal folds of the larynx can help protect the airway. Unfortunately, sometimes the nerve that triggers the muscle that pulls the vocal folds open during a breath doesn’t work right. When this happens, one or both vocal folds remain closed. This limits the flow of air into and out of the trachea.
As a result, dogs may have loud, harsh-sounding breathing from turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed trachea. Since the larynx isn’t doing a very good job of protecting the airways, affected dogs may also develop aspiration pneumonia (i.e. pneumonia that develops when a dog accidentally inhales food or water). Plus, these dogs will frequently cough and gag.
There is no known cause for laryngeal paralysis in dogs. However, genetics are thought to play a role because certain breeds like Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds are more likely to develop the condition. In recent years, researchers have discovered that laryngeal paralysis is actually only one component of an overarching condition called geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy (GOLPP). Dogs with GOLPP may also have megaesophagus in dogs and/or rear limb weakness.
The vet can attempt to manage laryngeal paralysis with medications like doxepin and environmental changes. However, many dogs need tie back surgery for dogs to help the larynx stay open. Also, regardless which other treatment options are used, weight management is an integral part in helping a dog’s coughing and breathing.
Check out my canine laryngeal paralysis FAQs to learn even more about this complex condition.
2. Chronic bronchitis (COPD)
Sometimes a dog will have a persistent cough that lasts for longer than two months but doesn’t seem to have any discernible cause. In that case, he or she may have chronic bronchitis in dogs (i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD). In this condition, severe infections, trauma, allergens, or other health issues cause inflammation within the lungs.
Over time the inflammation persists and worsens, which makes it more difficult for the dog to clear mucous and foreign invaders from the airways. The lung tissue can also become scarred.
Before diagnosing a dog with chronic bronchitis, the vet will want to rule out conditions like lung cancer, infection, or heart disease. Once he or she has excluded other causes of coughing, the vet will start treatment for the COPD. This may involve medications like steroids, cough suppressants, bronchodilators, as well as weight management.
3. Tracheal collapse
The trachea (i.e. windpipe) is the biggest of the tubes that make up your dog’s airways. It carries inhaled air from the nasal cavity to the lungs, where it splits into smaller and smaller airways. As dogs age, the cartilage rings that make up the trachea become flattened. This narrows the space inside of the trachea and makes it more difficult for air to pass through. As a result, collapsed trachea in dogs may cause a goose honking cough, gagging, and sometimes even respiratory distress.
All dogs can develop tracheal collapse. The risk is even higher in older dogs and in small breed dogs. Medical therapy, similar to that for chronic bronchitis, and weight management are the key treatments for a collapsed trachea. However, in severe cases, surgical intervention is necessary.
4. Heart disease
In a healthy dog, the heart will pump blood to all parts of the body, carrying oxygen via the red blood cells. But in heart disease in dogs, insufficient pumping can lead to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen or in the chest. When there is fluid inside of the lung tissue (i.e. pulmonary edema), it can cause coughing because the body is trying to remove the fluid. Fluid accumulation in the abdomen can make your dog look like a pot-bellied dog.
Heart problems can vary from valvular disease to dilated cardiomyopathy to heartworm disease in dogs. Many of these conditions will cause a heart murmur in dogs and also lead to overall heart enlargement. As the heart gets bigger, it can push the trachea upward and compress the bronchi that branch off from the trachea. This leads to even more coughing.
Sometimes older dogs with heart problems tend to have more coughing and gagging at night. They may also tire quickly, have difficulty breathing, or collapse. Dogs with heart disease may need medications to help the heart pump more strongly, correct arrhythmias, or remove fluid accumulation in the lungs. Sadly, heart disease may progress to the point of congestive heart failure over time.
5. Lung cancer
In the simplest terms, cancer is the abnormal and uncontrolled replication of cells. Sometimes it can show up as a single, solitary tumor. Alternatively, cancer can be widespread and affect many parts of the body. This is especially true if a cancer is malignant because these cancers can metastasize (i.e. spread to additional sites from the original site).
Dogs can develop primary lung cancer (i.e. cancer that arises from lung tissue) such as pulmonary carcinoma. However, more cases of cancer in a dog’s lungs are due to hemangiosarcoma in dogs, mammary cancer, osteosarcoma in dogs, or other tumor types metastasizing to the lungs.
Lung cancer can cause any number of clinical signs in dogs. In general, weight loss, lethargy, lack of appetite, and persistent coughing tend to be the more common symptoms. Treatment will vary depending on the type of cancer but may include chemotherapy or radiation in some cases.
6. Infections
Respiratory infections are one of the most common causes of coughing, especially in younger dogs. However, they can affect older dogs too. Foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (e.g., canine lungworms) can make their way into a dog’s respiratory tract. This can lead to localized inflammation as the immune system marches into battle.
Bacteria like Bordetella bronchiseptica (one of the causes of kennel cough) can create symptoms that primarily affect the upper respiratory tract. Typically the symptoms are centered around the dog’s throat and nose. Canine influenza (or dog flu) is viral in origin, and it, too, can cause upper respiratory symptoms like coughing and gagging.
However, in some cases, bacteria, viruses, or fungi can travel to the lower airways and cause pneumonia. This is almost always the case for fungal infections with Histoplasma and Blastomyces, which can also cause severe body-wide illness. In addition to coughing and gagging, dogs with pneumonia may also run a fever, have difficulty breathing, or be a lethargic dog.
Pneumonia patients will need hospitalization and oxygen therapy if they are having trouble breathing. They might also benefit from nebulization treatment. This involves having the patient inhale a fine mist (sometimes containing medication) which can moisturize the airways to make it easier for mucus to loosen and be coughed up.
Dogs with respiratory illnesses may also need antibiotics, antifungals, and sometimes steroids. If the vet finds lungworms on a special fecal test known as a Baermann test, he or she will prescribe a dewormer as well.
7. Allergies
If you’ve ever suffered from respiratory allergies, you know that things like high pollen counts can cause terrible symptoms such as coughing and nasal congestion. Dogs, too, can be affected by indoor and outdoor allergens.
It is also possible for dogs to have acute allergic reactions to certain medications, vaccinations, insect bites, and foods. Anaphylaxis, a particularly severe allergic reaction, can cause a life-threatening inability to breathe. If your dog is in respiratory distress, collapses, or has sudden onset vomiting and/or diarrhea, contact a vet immediately as these are signs of anaphylaxis.
Mild allergies can be controlled with antihistamines and other allergy medicines for dogs. It is also good to try to avoid the allergen as best as possible. Dogs experiencing severe allergies or anaphylaxis may require steroid therapy or possibly hospitalization until symptoms resolve. Inhaled steroids may also be an option, especially if a dog has asthma-like signs and suffers from allergies often.
When do I need to call the vet if my dog is coughing and gagging?
As you can see from this list (which doesn’t even cover all possible causes), a variety of conditions can cause your old dog to be coughing and gagging. Some are more serious than others. So how do you know when you need to call your vet? And what constitutes an emergency?
Well, let’s start by addressing some reasons you may need to schedule an emergency vet visit.
Signs of respiratory distress
Sometimes a dog may go into respiratory distress. This is always an emergency. Signs of respiratory distress include:
- A dog who is breathing fast or panting hard with no good reason
- Purplish, bluish, or pale gums
- Struggling to breathe
- Abnormal sounding breathing (harsh or high-pitched noises, etc.)
- Abdomen expanding and contracting with every breath
- Short shallow breaths
- Inability to do anything other than stand still, sit, or lie down
- Outstretched neck and/or elbows winged out to the sides
- Panicked expression
- Respiratory rate greater than 40 breaths per minute while resting (To learn to count your dog’s respiratory rate, read my article about keeping a “pulse” on dog vital signs.)
Time is of the essence here. Your dog needs to get to a facility that has the ability to perform oxygen therapy and administer drugs to help him or her breathe better.
Concern that something is stuck in the throat
Another reason to seek emergency vet care would be if you think your dog has something stuck in his or her throat. Understandably, this tends to be one of the first things dog parents think about if a dog is gagging. However, most of the time this isn’t actually the case.
I still want to address it, though, because foreign bodies in the throat or esophagus can cause a lot of issues. It is important that they are removed ASAP. So this means you need to be able to recognize when your dog really might have something stuck in the throat.
Foreign bodies in the back of the throat or in the esophagus can cause sudden onset of frequent gagging. Affected dogs may also:
- Regurgitate (i.e. passively bring up undigested food or water)
- Act like it is painful to swallow
- Paw at their mouth
- Be unable to swallow food, water, or saliva
- Make exaggerated swallowing motions
Especially if you saw your dog swallow something and then start with these signs, please contact your vet immediately.
Worrisome, but non-urgent symptoms
There are other cases where you don’t need to rush your dog to the emergency room, but your dog does need to see a veterinarian. Give your vet’s office a call if:
- Coughing or gagging is worsening in frequency or severity
- Your dog is exhibiting other symptoms like eye or nose discharge, sneezing, fever, or lethargy
- Your dog has a history of respiratory or cardiac issues and the coughing or breathing seems to be worse than his or her typical baseline
- Breathing sounds or looks different but your dog seems to be getting enough oxygen and can still eat, drink, and play
- You have any other concerns or questions about how your dog is doing
What to expect at the vet visit
How things go when you arrive at the vet clinic or emergency room depends on whether your dog is stable or not. If your dog is in respiratory distress, the first priority is going to be to get him or her breathing better. The veterinary team will start oxygen therapy, either by mask or in an oxygen cage. They may also try to place an intravenous catheter in your dog’s leg. That way they can quickly administer emergency medications if needed.
Once your dog’s condition has stabilized, the veterinary team can start some diagnostics. These tend to be similar to the tests you could expect at a non-urgent vet visit for coughing and gagging.
The vet will start with a physical exam. He or she will be paying special attention to how your dog’s heart and lungs sound and your dog’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. From there, the veterinarian will decide if he or she recommends additional diagnostics. Some of these may include:
- Bloodwork to evaluate red blood cell numbers, white blood cell numbers, and basic organ parameters
- X-rays to check for abnormalities of the heart, lungs, trachea, or esophagus
- Heartworm test
- Sedated laryngeal exam to check for laryngeal paralysis
- Blood pressure measurements, ECG, and echocardiogram to assess the heart
- Bronchoscopy or fluoroscopy to evaluate the trachea and smaller airways
Once the veterinarian has made a diagnosis, he or she will discuss your dog’s specific treatment plan. The generalities of treatment were discussed under each cause of coughing and gagging so I won’t mention them again here.
At-home remedies for coughing and gagging
I do however want to give you a few at-home remedies for coughing and gagging.
Let me be clear, though, that they are not intended to take the place of a visit with your vet. These are things you might be able to do while waiting for a vet appointment, under the direction of your vet after an appointment, or if signs are very mild.
Change locations
If your dog is coughing because of an overpowering fragrance or from mild smoke due to an unforeseen kitchen fiasco, simply bring your pup to another room or bring them out of doors.
Consider allergy meds
Dogs with minor allergies may get better with an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Benadryl for dogs. But you should still call your vet for dosing information and to make sure it is safe to use with any other medications that your dog is taking.
Humidify the air
Dogs with upper respiratory infections that are stable enough to be treated at home may benefit from the use of a humidifier. Humidifiers work to moisturize the air in a room of your home. Breathing in moist air can help loosen mucus that is unable to leave a dog’s airways with coughing alone.
If you do not have a humidifier, steam from a hot shower may also serve the same purpose. Bring your dog into a small bathroom, turn the shower to “hot,” and close the door. Allow him or her to breathe the warm humidified air for up to 15 minutes at a time, provided it doesn’t get too hot in the bathroom.
Try coupage
While your furry family member breathes in the humid air, you can also employ coupage tactics. This is when you use a cupped hand to gently pat one side of the pup’s rib cage for three to five minutes. Then repeat this on the other side. By performing coupage, you can help loosen mucus in the lower airways and make it easier to cough up.
A few words of caution. Unless directed otherwise by your vet, it is safest not to put a brachycephalic dog (i.e. those with short, squished noses) in a hot, steamy bathroom. This could be dangerous because they have more difficulty cooling themselves and are prone to heat stroke in dogs.
If your dog is having trouble breathing, has a history of heart disease, or has an elevated resting respiratory rate, don’t try the steamy bathroom remedy without talking to your vet. Also, due to risk of burns, do not allow your pet to be inside the shower stall or tub while the hot water is running.
Work with your veterinarian
I know it can be easy to worry when your dear senior dog is coughing and gagging and you don’t know what’s wrong. However, you and your vet can figure it out together. If possible, review the difference between coughing, gagging and vomiting before the appointment so you can use the right terms. Or, if you aren’t sure what you are seeing, take a video to show to your vet.
Maybe your dog will end up having one of the seven conditions I listed in this article. Or maybe it will be something totally different. Either way, your vet can work with you to develop a treatment and/or management plan. With a lot of these conditions, your dog’s coughing and gagging can improve significantly. Sometimes it may even go away entirely.
Even if you get the bad news at the appointment that your beloved dog is in congestive heart failure or has cancer, all hope isn’t lost. There are still ways to help keep your dog’s quality of life as good as possible for as long as possible.
Finally, keep in mind that sometimes dogs who are coughing and gagging will end up in respiratory distress. If your dog is having trouble breathing, immediately contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic. Being vigilant and acting quickly in those situations might just save your dog’s life.
What was the cause of your dog’s coughing and gagging?
Please comment below.
Matt says
Dr. Buzby – Thanks for such a wonderful and helpful blog. Our beloved Little Dog (yes, it’s his real name and he’s a 12 +year, 65 lb rescue super-mutt – it makes more sense when you see our other dog who was 85+ lbs and tall) has chrondasarcoma that we caught very early. In December 2021, we had his back leg removed, and he has recovered well as a tri-paw but we know his time was limited. A few weeks ago during his last scan, our vet found some spots on his lungs. This past week, he’s been a little more lethargic and has started coughing (sometimes it sounds more like a gag but other times it sounds seal like or when children have the croup). He typically coughs more frequently after he exerts himself walking or going up stairs. Are there any medications or other respiratory therapies we should consider talking with our vet about to keep this breathing more comfortable? Thank you so much.
Julie Buzby DVM says
Hi Matt,
I love that his name is “Little Dog”. One of my favorite patients was named “Big Girl”. I am sorry your senior guy is facing such a difficult diagnosis and his symptoms are progressing rather quickly. There are medications that can help to open the airways a bit such as Theophylline (a bronchodilator). I am not sure they will work as expected with the presence of nodules in the lungs, but it may be worth a try. At the very least, I would discuss the option of hospice/palliative care with your vet. They may be able to prescribe an opioid like pain medication that would help to keep him comfortable but also has benefits to reduce coughing. I hope you can find the answers you need to give your sweet boy the best quality of life possible during his final days. Make the most of the time you have together and give Little Dog a hug for me. ♥
Laura Gillam says
I knew my large Catahoula had a cough a persistent one more at night at bedtime , I also noticed him drinking excessive water, and he was tired fast . I knew he was likely to have heart problems or maybe cancer as he does not have any abdominal swelling. He is 16 , He’s not been to the vet since he was neutered at 6 months. I do his yearly vaccines and worming and treated a couple hard injuries and couple snake bites with him over the years. And the vet does come to the farm for the livestock and will help as in I gave him so much Benadryl can I more ? He has been a wonderful farm dog. He could think for himself as any dog can, but Gator made really wise choices. A stranger comes, he doesn’t run barking. He stands and stares at them. He will move to block their approach and it was very effective. If they persisted, he would stalk them , and if they oh baby oh baby him and try to touch him , NOPE he would grab their hand, and simply hold it firm. Hes “bitten” over 5 or people never broke the skin and never growled or barked . With Stock he is overkill. He’s over 100lbs not close to as handy as My heelers are but he is great back up for them mostly with hogs or bulls. I have not had to release the Krakens often, but he and his brother would put a change of heart to the toughest customer. He was a great guardian of the farm
His hips are weak a hard wind could take him down now. He can’t hear, can’t see very well. But ! He smells it’s me and happy, and pat pat his feet when he smells I am eating. I keep him inside as always. He lays by the fireplace I am keeping warm for him for him, and bring him water. I think when he no longer will get up to eat , then it is time…… I think it close.
I strongly believe it is GOLPP , This will be my 1st time seeing this and would like to know what to expect. And if he is going to be able to pass peacefully or would he be better if I made the call.
Julie Buzby DVM says
Hi Laura,
I am sorry your sweet boy’s health is declining and he may be nearing the end of his days. Since I haven’t examined him myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. Without a definite diagnosis there is no way to know what you should expect as his condition worsens. Generally, with laryngeal paralysis I would expect you to be seeing more panting, increased breathing rate and difficulty breathing during excitement or while exercising. I am suspicious that your guy may be dealing with something else that is causing his lethargy and increased thirst. With that being said, I usually prefer to make the call about saying goodbye rather than waiting for a natural death. A natural death doesn’t always equal a peaceful or smooth passing. Also, there is no way to know how much longer your dog will continue to hold on while his body functions decline. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. Letting go can be the most loving way to offer a beloved dog peace and rest. I am not sure when the right time will be to make these decisions. It might be a good idea to have a house call vet come and assess your pup. They may be able to offer hospice or palliative care until you feel the time has come. I will attach links to other articles with more information. I hope they will give you the advice and comfort you need to make it through this difficult process. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
Alyssa Hensley Green says
My fur baby is NOT. A senior and sick she definitely is😭😭😭😭😭 I need a Miracle and fast. So she’s had issues such as throwing up and diarrhea has a puppy and with mucus and blood and not frequently since I got her when she was only 8weeks. Then it started getting blood in it and I had to switch her food a couple times and the last time was grain free which got rid of the blood in her poop and throwing up. Then all a sudden she got sick again. It started with humping stuffed animals instead of us and acting like she couldn’t (idk if that had anything to do with it or not but almost seems like it) then she was swallowing “hard” and very nauseated, She started having a rattling sound in her breathing.. she threw up a couple times , food and foam. She didn’t really want water or food and then they tried a couple meds including antibiotics which seemed to be working and then at the end stopped (so idk if they actually did work at all) then she was swallowing hard and nauseated for a couple more months and then just started swallowing hard but was back to normal. She had also been gagging and coughing with this. Then months go by again and she’s sick again all with the same symptoms but it got worse really fast. Then with metoclopramide, sucralfate, anti nausea meds, emeprazole, and a couple other things they got her to eat and somewhat drink again at the vet hospital and I had to keep giving her these things at home for weeks. She started to get some what better except she didn’t want water at all so I mixed it in her food and kept having to take her to get fluid under her skin. She seemed to be getting better recently again but she still didn’t want water at all and was getting dehydrated and needed fluid under her skin so they did and then they put her on steroids and that week was awesome like nothing was wrong with her anymore. Then when they weened her down she was somewhat nauseated again and coughing gagging some what again (not too much though). So they did another week of it and she was drinking lots of water and eating and wanting more to eat also. They then weened her off again and she was some what alright a couple days then she stopped drinking water after starting to gag and cough again mostly when she started to get a drink. She was nauseated worse and then within another day back to throwing up food and white foam again this time. They just put her back on the steroids but it is helping her drink and eat more again but she is nauseated still to the point she has thrown up and swallowed it and she’s really nauseated tonight even after giving her ondancatron which I didn’t have to give her anything the past couple weeks. It almost seems like everything from food to meds if they are stopped after working when they start them again it almost doesn’t help anymore. I’m sooo worried. She’s a Japanese chin with a quarter chihuahua only and born Jan 15,2019 and I can’t lose this baby girl, she’s my universe and my baby and very spoiled!!
Julie Buzby DVM says
Hi Alyssa,
I am sorry your young pup is having so many issues. It sounds like things are pretty complicated and your vet has tried many different treatments with no resolution to these issues. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. My best advice is to schedule a consult with a specialist. They have lots of experience dealing with more puzzling cases and may have ideas about additional testing or therapies to consider. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to restore your sweet girl’s quality of life. Praying for a full recovery and many happy days ahead.
Tina Adams says
My 13 year old dog has Cushions Disease and she’s been coughing ang gagging. Her vet saw her and said she has a heart murmur and her gums are pale. Her tongue goes purple on exercise, she pants alot aswell.
Julie Buzby DVM says
Hi Tina,
I am sorry your senior girl is dealing with so many issues all at once. It concerns me greatly that you are noticing her tongue turning purple with exercise. Please make sure your vet is aware of these episodes. It makes me suspicious about heart failure. There may be a medication that could greatly improve your pup’s quality of life. I hope you can find a treatment that will prolong her life and make her more comfortable. Best wishes for a positive outcome.
Cherry says
Putting dog pills in a small spoonful of liver pate or similar almost always works!
Or you can pop them straight at the back of his throat and give him a treat after he swallows them.Good luck.from Cherry in NZ
Jennifer Smith says
Dino, my wonderful senior (15 yr old) Patterdale terrier has been coughing and gagging with increased frequency and duration and a very recent chest Xray has shown a change of “patterning” in his lungs and a narrowing of the trachea as it passes into his lungs. He has been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and trachea collapse and prescribed:-
Prednidale tablets 5mg: 1 x daily with food
Corvental-D 100mg capsules: 2 capsules once daily
Dino weighs 11.4 kg and is considered to be overweight and changes to his diet are advised to aid weight loss and I am due to discuss this further with a Vetinery Nurse. I am due a follow up appointment with Dino’s regular Vet in a couple of weeks to discuss his condition in further detail. This is the second day of administering Dino’s medication and I am having difficulty in doing so as Dino refuses to eat his food when I place the medication in it? Any advice would be very very much appreciated. Thank you and with kind regards
Julie Buzby DVM says
Hi Jennifer,
I understand how frustrating it can be when your dog won’t take his medication. Make sure your vet is aware of the administration issues with these pills. There may be a way to have them compounded into a flavored liquid to make this easier. Also here is a link to another article with great tips and advice: Your Dog Won’t Take Pills? 5 Easy Solutions for Uncooperative Pooches
I hope you can find the trick that works best for you and Dino. Praying he will respond well to his treatment and have many happy days ahead. I will leave some links to other articles that may offer insight to some of the issues Dino is facing. Best wishes to you both!
1. Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs: The Mysterious Cough That Won’t Quit
2. Collapsed Trachea in Dogs As Seen Through the Eyes of a Veterinarian
Kirsten Ferry says
Our vet found calcification in his lungs; he’s almost 14 and it’s been slowly building up for a couple of years. The vet simply refers to it as old dog lungs, and said to monitor it for increased difficulty, which might be treated with certain meds. if that’s what we decide.
Julie Buzby DVM says
Hi Kirsten,
I am glad you were able to get some answers about your senior guy. Glad it is just old dog lung changes and nothing more serious. I hope he continues to keep fighting and has many happy days ahead. Wishing you both the best!