Why Does My Dog Keep Hacking And Spitting Up?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Health problems that cause coughing include:

Cough, respiratory infections, heart disease, fungal infections, lungworm, heartworm and distemper

. If your dog's cough is persistent, contact your vet. If your dog coughs up white foam, treat this as an emergency.

Why does my dog keep hacking and throwing up?

The signs of

kennel cough

can vary greatly. The most common symptom is a hacking cough. It may sound as if your dog is trying to clear something from her throat. Sometimes the coughing causes retching or the vomiting of fluid, and is often worsened when your pooch becomes excited or active.

Why does my dog keep hacking 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.

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 vomit but nothing comes out?

Is this an emergency? Non-productive retching, or dry heaving, in any breed dog is always considered an emergency due to the concern for a process called

gastric dilation and volvulus

(frequently referred to as GDV, or gas bloat).

What do I do if my dog is coughing and throwing up?

In some cases, kennel cough can also cause gagging, vomiting, sneezing, a runny nose and eye discharge. Symptoms of kennel cough generally appear about three to four days after exposure to the virus. If your dog is coughing and acting ill, be sure to

contact your veterinarian

.

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

If your dog is hacking away or constantly making noises that make it sound like they are choking on something, they may have a case of

kennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis

.

How can I clear my dog's throat?

If you have a friend or someone to help, they can

hold the dog to their chest while you open his mouth and look down his throat

. Gently gripping your dog's tongue and pulling it outwards will make it easier to see and may dislodge the stuck object.

What are the signs of a twisted stomach in dogs?

  • Abdominal distention (swollen stomach)
  • When tapped the stomach makes a ‘ping' sound.
  • Non-productive vomiting (appears to be vomiting, but nothing comes up or only produces white froth)
  • Retching.
  • Lethargy.

How do I know if my dog has a blockage?

  1. Vomiting.
  2. Loss of appetite.
  3. Weakness.
  4. Nausea.
  5. Diarrhea.
  6. Straining or unable to poop.

Why is my dog coughing up white foam and clear liquid?

The most common reason for a dog to throw up white foam is

GI distress

. Foamy vomit may occur if a pooch has excess gas in his stomach. If your dog is experiencing indigestion and there's nothing left in his stomach to expel, he may start throwing up this pale, frothy liquid or foam.

Why does my dog keep trying to throw up?

Any chronic or repeated vomiting needs veterinarian assistance to find what the cause is and treatment may be required. Causes can include

viral infection, parasites and dietary indiscretion (eating something inappropriate)

. Nonproductive retching or vomiting is a warning signal that something is wrong.

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).

How did my dog get kennel cough?

Kennel cough, scientifically known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is easily spread from dog to dog

through aerosol droplets, direct contact, or contact with contaminated surfaces like food and water bowls, toys, or kennel runs

— a bit like how the common cold is spread in grade schools.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.