Dog making a hacking sound all morning (coughing)

[Anonymous]

So my 12 year old retriever has been coughing or gagging all morning. Went on a normal walk, its usually short. First time I heard it. He ate and is now laying around like usual but keeps either gagging or coughing every 1/2 hour.. He has not had an exposure to other dogs except walking in the same area so I don't think it kennel cough.

Could it just be fur caught in his throat from cleaning himself? I opened his mouth and didn't see anything lodged in there or on his tongue. He doesn't play with toys or chew random things anymore. He can swallow. Any ideas? Hes a healthy boy. Good weight, still has spurts of energy daily and got blood work in July.

[Anonymous]

When this happened to our older dog it was a collapsing trachea.

[Anonymous]

I don't mean to alarm you, but the gagging can also be a sign of bloat. I'd call the vet ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Also can be a sign of heartworm.

[Anonymous]

Our vet took our dog’s coughing seriously. Apparently dog coughs are frequently not as mundane as human coughs typically are. I’d get him checked out, even if it’s likely nothing.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all! I will take him in.

[Anonymous]

Hope all is well with your dog. When our dog developed a cough, it turned out to be heart disease.

[Anonymous]

Our 14-year old lab has a hacking cough and the vet said it was heatburn and recommended Prilosec.
She takes it every morning and evening with her meals and it helps.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully allergies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our 14-year old lab has a hacking cough and the vet said it was heatburn and recommended Prilosec.
She takes it every morning and evening with her meals and it helps.

This happened with our golden too, though it was a one time thing

[Anonymous]

strep

[Anonymous]

OP here. Its acid build up. Right before we left for the vet he ate some grass, threw up and was fine. Didnt cough again.. He's now getting a pepcid before our morning walk and dinner. Also a light kibble snack before bed. Thanks again everyone !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When this happened to our older dog it was a collapsing trachea.

Same for our 12 yo lab. Vet said it is common and there really isn’t a good cure.