Why Does My Dog Sound Like She’s Clearing Her Throat?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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It sounds like a human clearing our throat very loudly. You pet needs to be seen by your vet as soon as possible. The cough could be caused by a number of things;

heart or pulmonary disorder, heartworm disease, collapsing trachea, or a kennel cough infection

, just to name a few.

Why is my dog coughing like he has something stuck in his throat?

Conclusion. A dog coughing like something is stuck in their throat is

usually caused by kennel cough

, a highly contagious but also usually self-limiting infection. This is generally not a cause of big concern in dogs that do not present other symptoms.

Why does my dog sound like he’s choking but isn t?

Reverse sneezing (Pharyngeal Gag Reflex) is a sudden, rapid and extreme forceful inhalation of air through the nose causing the dog to make repeated snorting noises, which may sound like he is choking. It sounds like the dog is trying to inhale a sneeze, and it is therefore known as reverse sneezing.

Why is my dog gagging but not throwing up?

When your dog tries to vomit but nothing comes up, this is known as

dry heaving

. It will often look as though they are experiencing a whole-body spasm, beginning in the stomach and undulating out the throat. Retching and dry heaving are essentially the same thing, simply two different terms for it.

Why does my dog keep coughing and gagging at night?


Heart Disease

Pericardial effusion is the buildup of fluid around the heart and can cause your dog to produce a “wet” cough or a gagging sound. Be sure to notice if this cough occurs mostly at night or when your dog is lying down as this can be a sign of fluid gathering in the lungs.

What does an allergy cough sound like in a dog?

This cough almost sounds like

a goose honking

. Weight loss is usually the first treatment, but veterinary treatment will be needed to keep the problem from getting worse. Dogs can also have respiratory allergies or asthma that cause coughing or wheezing attacks.

What does a dog with a collapsed trachea sound like?

The sound of the cough of a dog with a collapsed trachea makes is very distinct. It is most often described as

a harsh, dry cough that sounds similar to a honking goose

.

Why does my dog keep swallowing and gulping?


Rhinitis and sinusitis

The clinical signs that cause both diseases are sneezing, thick nasal discharge with a bad smell and nausea due to the postnasal drip that occurs. This is the discharge that passes from the nose to the mouth, causing the dog to keep gulping as they are constantly swallowing mucus.

How does a dog get kennel cough at home?

Causes of Kennel Cough

A healthy dog can get kennel cough by

inhaling aerosolized bacteria or viruses from an infected dog

. The bacteria and/or virus can be spread from an infected dog through coughing or sneezing, and dogs can also get it from infected objects (toys, food/water bowls).

Can allergies make a dog cough and gag?

Throat –

many pets suffering from seasonal allergies will cough, gag, and swallow excessively

—that’s because the same allergens that can get into your dog’s nose can get into the mouth. The nasal discharge can drip down into the throat and cause irritation as well.

What does asthma sound like in dogs?

If your dog is making wheezing noises, it can certainly be alarming. The sound is different than a cough or sneeze, and sounds very similar to a wheezing sound a human would make. A wheezing dog will make

a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing, usually on an exhale

.

How do you tell if your dog has a damaged trachea?

  1. Difficulty breathing.
  2. Coughing when you pick your dog up or apply pressure to their neck.
  3. Vomiting, gagging, or retching associated with the coughing.
  4. Cyanotic (turning blue) episodes or bluish mucous membranes.
  5. Wheezing.

How do you tell if your dogs trachea is damaged?

What are the clinical signs? The most common clinical sign is a

persistent, dry, harsh cough

. It is sometimes described as a ‘goose honk’ cough. The cough may worsen at night, with excitement, with pressure on the trachea – such as from a collar, during hot or humid weather, or immediately after eating or drinking.

How Long Can dogs live with collapsed trachea?

A dog with a collapsing trachea will survive for

up to two years

after being diagnosed. A dog’s survival with this disease can be doubled to 4 years or more with surgical operations. You can help a dog live a longer life by taking extra precautions to help them treat their symptoms.

How do you clear a dog’s blocked throat?

What is the treatment for a choking dog? In a complete obstruction,

the vet may perform an emergency tracheotomy

— a quick procedure that allows them to pass a breathing tube from the neck straight into the windpipe. This bypasses the obstruction, allowing your pet to breathe until it’s removed.

Why does my dog sound like he has a hairball?

Kennel cough is a dry, hacking, persistent cough that can sound like the dog has something stuck in its throat. This dry hack is often followed by gagging or retching that sounds like the dog is coughing up a hairball, like a cat.

What does acid reflux look like in dogs?

Here are other signs of acid reflux in dogs:


Grinding their teeth or snapping their jaw

. Painful swallowing (they may cry or whine) Regurgitation of their food. Weight loss.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.