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Puppies Coughing and Gagging: 11 Causes And Treatments

puppy coughing and gagging
(Last Updated On: December 15, 2022)

Coughing in your dog is just a natural response of the body to remove something irritating the airway. Usually, the reasons for puppies coughing and gagging are their tight collar or eating, drinking too fast. 

However, if this repeats persistent and regular, even after reducing, it recurs, which may indicate needing treatment and a visit to your local veterinarian.

A visit to your local veterinarian before your dog has severe problems such as Kennel Cough, Distemper, parasites, heart disease, infections, allergies, and throat.

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Table of Contents

Reasons and how to treat puppies coughing and gagging

Typically, Two factors that cause your puppies to cough and gagging are foreign objects and medical conditions.

Foreign Objects

Foreign objects usually mean something stuck in your dog’s esophagus or throat, ending up coughing and gagging but without affecting breathing. The things which cause those incidents may be wood slivers, string, bone splinters, bones, and a rubber ball.

Medical Conditions

If the cause is not a foreign object, perhaps it indicates a disease that needs your attention more.

Kennel Cough (canine infectious tracheobronchitis)

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is dry hacking attached to retching and gagging. In particular, your dog’s eyes and nasal discharge.

Moreover, if you don’t provide the treatment promptly, there will be a lack of appetite and lethargy. The sound is honking, looking like it’s choking on something. The causes are microorganisms such as mycoplasma spp, canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus, and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a type of bacteria that can cause breathing problems in dogs. Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease. Thus, if your veterinarian diagnoses this, try to remember the last couple of weeks. 

Did you dog play or stay with any sick dogs in the same place such as playground, shelter, obedience class, dog park, and groomer? You may need to contact their owners to inform them of your dog’s illness. 

Moreover, if you don’t provide the treatment promptly, there will be a lack of appetite and lethargy. The sound is honking, looking like it’s choking on something. 

See Also: Can I give my dog Aspirin?

Kennel Cough: Signs and Symptoms

Signs that your dog has kennel cough could be a high-pitched honking cough or nasal discharge, eye discharge, loss of appetite, and a slight fever. You may also notice your puppy has difficulty breathing. Some will describe it as a honking canine cough.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough include:

  • Honking cough
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Sneezing
  • Eye and nasal discharge

How to Treat Kennel Cough?

Cough suppressants, such as cough medicines, may help to relieve persistent coughing. When bacterial infections are involved, antibiotics may be required.

Anti-inflammatory medications and bronchodilators that open breathing passages to allow the dog to breathe more quickly may also be used. The dog will require more aggressive treatment if pneumonia sets in.

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Additional Information

In light cases, your dog will feel better within one week or more if you make sure while creating process, it eats well and doesn’t take part in the physical activities, which will worsen the condition.

In severe cases, the Bordatella virus will invade the body, causing severe coughing, inflammation, and other kinds of complications, even leading to death. Kennel cough is severe and dangerous. Don’t forget to ask your vet whether or not your dog needs cough suppressants and antibiotics.

Puppies Coughing and Gagging: 11 Causes And Treatments

Sore throat (pharyngitis) and tonsillitis in Dogs

What Are Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis?

Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are infections that cause soreness in the throat or inflammation of the tonsils. Both pharyngitis and tonsillitis are contagious, meaning they can be easily spread to other dogs through contact with an infected dog’s saliva.

What Are The Symptoms Of Pharyngitis And Tonsillitis?

The symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis are similar regardless of the cause, but they will typically begin with a fever. As the infection spreads to involve deeper tissues in the throat, there is often pain upon swallowing and difficulty breathing. A barking cough that causes retching fits may also be apparent, as well as drooling due to the discomfort.

Symptoms of sore throat (pharyngitis) include:

  • Trouble swallowing
  • Loss of Appetite
  • A hacking or honking cough
  • Fever
  • The symptoms of tonsillitis include the same symptoms as the symptoms for pharyngitis, plus:
  • Swollen glands in the neck

How to Treat Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis?

Your vet will prescribe antibiotics, which will be most effective when given for 10 to 14 days. To help your dog feel more comfortable during this time, you can use a humidifier in the room where your dog stays.

In addition, you may want to switch your dog from dry to wet food to make it easier to tolerate eating. In most cases, your vet will not remove the tonsils unless a tumor or continuous tonsil inflammation occurs.

Additional Information

The primary causes of a sore throat and tonsillitis are your dog continuously and frequently swallows and lick its lips.

After that, puppies coughing & gagging becomes weaker. There are other signs such as loss of appetite, pain in swallowing, fever. Furthermore, the back of the throat becomes red. 

When it comes to treatment, you need to provide your dog a combination of a soft diet and a broad-spectrum antibiotic, fluid within ten days. If your dog is suffering pain, your vet may prescribe a painkiller. 

Before arranging an appointment with your veterinarian, it’s essential to determine how often your dog coughs and when your dog coughs: sitting, standing, doing exercise, or laying down. 

Also, it’s better if you have information about other attached symptoms and what you have tried at home to treat them.

See Also: Can puppies leave mother at 6-weeks

Puppies Coughing and Gagging: 11 Causes And Treatments

Roundworm Infection in Dogs

What Is Roundworm Infection?

Roundworm infection is a common problem among puppies and dogs. It is also one of the most easily treated parasitic diseases. Roundworm infection in puppies occurs when a puppy swallows a roundworm egg or young larvae, which then travel to your dog’s heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys, developing into adult worms.

The female worms then produce more larvae that spread throughout the body, causing severe infection. Roundworm infections are passed from dogs to dogs through larvae eggs in their feces, which can be ingested by another dog, where it hatches and grows.

Roundworm Infection: Signs and Symptoms

Roundworm symptoms include vomiting, coughing, or gagging due to fluid accumulation in the lungs (Pneumonia), lack of appetite, and abdominal pain. In some cases, the parasites can leave a large number of eggs in your pet’s feces.

Roundworms are very dangerous because their eggs can be spread easily from place to place. Roundworm larvae live in moist soil or sand and then enter a dog through its mouth when it licks contaminated soil off its feet. Roundworm larvae also may be present in an infected mother’s milk. 

Roundworm eggs are carried in the feces of an infected animal, either canine or feline. Roundworm larvae can take up to six weeks after exposure before becoming adult roundworms and producing eggs. 

Roundworms commonly infest puppies and may affect other adult dogs allowed outside where other dogs have defecated. Roundworms are prevalent in areas with high dog-to-dog contact, such as shelters. Roundworm preventive medications are available for dogs at risk of infestation.

Symptoms of Roundworm Infection include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Weight loss
  • Vomiting
  • Potbelly

How to Treat Roundworm Infection?

Treatment is generally successful if given before the larvae become adult roundworms and start causing damage to your pet.

Roundworm eggs can remain viable in the environment for several years, so it is crucial to keep your dog from ingesting contaminated soil or sand that may still contain eggs from a previous infestation. 

In addition, all dogs in the household must be treated for roundworms, as untreated pets can reinfect each other. Even if you do not see any signs of a roundworm infestation, speak with your veterinarian about routine fecal examinations. 

Remember that a dog can be infected with roundworms and still appear to be healthy. Some of the following treatments are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription from your vet. 

For severely infected animals, multiple treatments may be necessary since anthelmintics kills only adult worms. Heartworm disease is also common in dogs. For more information on the treatment of roundworms, contact your veterinarian.

Tracheal Collapse in Dogs

What Is Tracheal Collapse?

Tracheal collapse is a condition in which abnormally soft cartilage or weak rings of cartilage hold the trachea open, causing it to partially or totally collapse.

Tracheal collapse can occur at any age but most commonly occurs in smaller breeds of dogs such as Yorkies, Poodles, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzu’s, Pomeranians, and Cocker Spaniels. 

Tracheal collapse is usually found incidentally during a physical examination for another problem by the veterinarian. Tracheal collapse can be a mild condition that may or may not need treatment.

Tracheal Collapse: Signs and Symptoms

Tracheal collapse is one of the most common heart-related chest diseases in dogs. Tracheal collapse, also known as Tracheal Stenosis, Tracheal Collapse Syndrome, Tracheal Hypoplasia, and Cervical Tracheal Collapse, occurs when there is a “flattening” of one or more tracheal rings near the throat.

Tracheal collapse is most often seen in small breed dogs, such as Poodles and Shih Tzus, although it can be found in other breeds, including Golden Retrievers and Irish Setters. Tracheal collapse is a severe disease because the trachea can completely collapse over time. 

However, if Tracheal Collapse is caught early enough, treatments can successfully manage Tracheal Collapse and even cure Tracheal Collapse in dogs.

Symptoms of Tracheal Collapse include:

  • Coughing when pressure is applied to the back of the neck
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Gagging or retching while coughing
  • Wheezing

How to Treat Tracheal Collapse?

Depending on the degree of the tracheal collapse, your dog may need to wear a neck brace or undergo surgery to place support rings in the collapsed area with a stent.

If it’s a minor collapse, you may be able to manage it with weight loss, switching from a collar to a harness when going for walks. Your vet may also recommend medication.

Additional Information

After your dog eats, exercises, or feels excited, it has a recurrent and episodic honking or hacking cough. The high opportunity is the condition of tracheal collapse.

The trachea, a flexible tube made from firm and incomplete rings of cartilage, makes itself responsible for transporting air to the lungs and vice versa. In the event of the tracheal rings collapsing, the airway will be obstructed, leading to puppies coughing & gagging. 

Elderly and overweight dogs are the principal objects of this condition because they usually develop a collapsed trachea. If the condition of collapsing trachea is medium, about 70%, it’s helpful to treat by medical management. However, a more severe disease will need highly specialized surgery.

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Puppies Coughing and Gagging: 11 Causes And Treatments

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and other problems about the heart

What Is Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive Heart Failure in dogs is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) describes Congestive Heart disease as a “chronic disorder” which “results when the heart fails to pump an adequate amount of blood.”

The causes for Congestive Heart disease are many-fold, but one or more of three major factors are involved in the majority of cases:

  1. Myocardial disease (also known as Cardiomyopathy)
  2. Valvular disease
  3. Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a term used for symptoms resulting from any combination of the above two conditions.

Congestive Heart Failure: Signs and Symptoms

Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure show signs of respiratory distress, such as hacking, cough, and gagging. Congestive heart failure is a chronic disease with the help of your vet throughout your dog’s entire life.

If left untreated, Congestive Heart Failure can lead to further complications that could lead to death.

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure include:

  • Prolonged periods of gagging or hacking cough
  • Heavy breathing (breathlessness)
  • Weakness
  • Dull, dry hair coat
  • Persistent loss of appetite
  • Excessive panting

How to Treat Congestive Heart Failure?

Depending on the severity of Congestive Heart Failure, the vet will schedule specific tests to diagnose Congestive Heart Failure and its root cause.

Treatment can range from common Congestive Heart Failure medication to heart surgery. Congestive Heart Failure medication can help to ease the symptoms but may not cure the underlying cause. 

A puppy with Congestive Heart Failure prognosis is usually poor, and relief of symptoms is often the only treatment offered. Your veterinarian will diagnose Congestive Heart Failure by testing for electrolytes, blood oxygen levels, anemia, and other factors that may have caused the condition. 

They will try to find possible causes of Congestive Heart Failure by testing for internal and external causes. Finally, congestive Heart Failure medication will be prescribed, and your veterinarian may recommend a special diet for your puppy.

Additional Information

Compared to what I mentioned above, CHF and other heart problems like heartworm are more severe problems. Its early symptoms include intermittent coughing (attached to gagging, in some cases). If your vet diagnoses this disease, don’t make the condition worse by physical exertion or an excitation.

When it comes to Congestive Heart Failure, the coughing symptoms appear in the sleep at night. Other symptoms of heart disease include laborious respiration, too slow or too fast heartbeat, decreased exercise endurance, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and a bluish tinge to its tongue. 

You have to consider several features to determine how to treat heart disease properly: the severity level, your dog’s age, and health condition cost during the treatment process. A board-certified veterinarian cardiologist can provide more information. In light cases, your holistic vet may suggest a treatment of natural modality.

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Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs

What Is Chronic Bronchitis?

Chronic Bronchitis is a debilitating respiratory condition in canines that causes constant coughing and gagging. What are the symptoms of chronic Bronchitis? The specific causes may vary. However, several factors can lead to chronic Bronchitis. What are these factors?

These factors include * Allergies * Smoke, chemicals and other air pollutants * Upper respiratory infections * Cigarette smoke (second-hand or otherwise) * Viral infections such as parainfluenza. What breeds are at risk?

Chronic Bronchitis: Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis include:

  • Prolonged periods of gagging or coughing
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Wheezing or honking cough
  • Vomiting or retching
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue

How to Treat Chronic Bronchitis?

Both purebred and mixed-breed dogs are susceptible to chronic Bronchitis. What is the treatment for chronic Bronchitis? Unfortunately, there is no cure. However, it can be managed with a combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications.

What else do I need to know about managing my puppy’s condition? Keep an eye out for any other health problems your pup may have, as Bronchitis can be part of the symptomology. How do I prevent my dog from contracting chronic Bronchitis? 

Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinations and other preventative measures you can take to protect against respiratory infections. How long will my pet need treatment? Unlikely, there will be a cure. Unfortunately, your pup will need treatment for the rest of his life.

Additional Information

Chronic Bronchitis symptoms are that the coughing is dry and productive (ending up gagging sometimes). Even in some cases, your dog may retch and spit foamy saliva and could persist for up to 2 months.

The primary causes of Chronic Bronchitis are middle-aged dogs, no matter it is male or female. 

However, this disease doesn’t influence your dog’s daily eating routine and healthy weight, so you must pay more attention to other symptoms. You can plan this disease if you take cough medicine, antibiotics, inhalers, and inhalers.

puppy coughing and gagging

Congenital Abnormalities in Dogs

What Is Congenital Abnormality?

A Congenital abnormality in dogs is a condition that develops during fetal development or within the first few weeks of life. Congenital abnormalities are often indicated by any deviation from body parts’ usual abilities, appearance, or functions.

The causes for congenital anomalies in dogs vary according to the specific disorder, but genetic, hereditary, or environmental factors are often to blame. 

Congenital abnormalities can affect any breed of dog and maybe categorized by size (small dogs are more likely to develop Congenital Abnormalities than large dogs), gender, or degree of deviation from the norm in affected breeds. A puppy with Congenital abnormalities may have a short life expectancy or a more limited quality of life.

 Congenital abnormalities might also increase the risk of other health conditions, some of which may affect both dogs and humans. Congenital abnormalities can be treated with surgery, corrective therapy, or medication in many cases.

In most circumstances, wherever possible, the affected puppy should not be used for breeding, and any puppies sired by this dog should be examined for Congenital abnormalities themselves.

Signs of Congenital Abnormalities in Dogs

Congenital abnormalities can cause several signs depending on their severity, location, and other factors. Symptoms can include coughing and gagging, vomiting, hematemesis (vomiting of blood), coughing up blood, lethargy, lack of appetite, exercise intolerance, anorexia, weight loss or gain, diarrhea or constipation due to a change in the consistency of stool, respiratory distress, open mouth breathing, nasal discharge, and fever.

Breathing abnormalities such as those caused by blood, fluid, or other irritants may cause a dog to cough and gag; coughing is one of the most common symptoms of respiratory problems in dogs. Signs of potential congenital abnormalities include persistent coughing, gagging, retching (bringing up partially-digested food), chronic throat clearing, and nasal discharge. 

Normal respiratory function depends on the effective opening of the windpipe (trachea) to allow air to pass into and out of your dog’s lungs; abnormal function can cause respiratory distress, coughing, gagging, hematemesis (vomiting blood), or coughing up blood (hemoptysis). The most common causes of breathing abnormalities include fluid in the lungs ( pulmonary edema ) and airway obstructions. 

Pulmonary edema results from either heart failure (cardiac disease) or diseases affecting the small blood vessels (capillaries) within the lungs; it can result in difficulty breathing, excessive coughing, gagging, hematemesis, and even coughing up blood due to pulmonary hypertension, which causes the heart to work harder against high pressure in the lungs. 

Causes of respiratory distress include fluid or other irritants in the trachea (bronchi) and airways, tumors growing within the respiratory tract, a collapsing trachea, inhalation of a foreign object, and paralysis of the throat and vocal cords ( laryngeal paralysis ).

How to Treat Congenital Abnormality

In most cases, there is no cure for a congenital abnormality in dogs. However, in some cases, surgery or other corrective therapy may alleviate symptoms and help affected dogs live more normal lives.

For example, pectus excavatum is a congenital deformity that causes the sternum to grow abnormally and push into the dog’s chest cavity. While surgery can be performed to correct this deformity, its risks must be carefully weighed against the potential benefits of treatment for affected dogs. 

In other cases, symptoms may not be treatable with surgery, but the dog’s quality of life may be made more comfortable with medication or other supportive therapy.

For example, while there is no treatment for collapsing trachea in dogs, affected dogs can usually live normal lives after the condition has been treated medically to improve their breathing and provide relief from respiratory distress.

Pneumonia in Dogs

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is defined as respiratory tract inflammation caused by infection. There are two types of Pneumonia: bacterial and viral. Dogs become infected with a type of bacteria or virus that can result in Pneumonia through various means.

The most common ways for dogs to contract Pneumonia include inhalation of contaminated objects, ingestion of contaminated food or water, and inhalation of infectious aerosols. 

Once the dog has become infected with a type of bacteria or virus that can cause Pneumonia, his immune system will attempt to fight off the invading pathogens. If the immune system fails to win this battle, the bacteria or virus will begin to reproduce within the dog’s lungs. 

These bacteria and viruses can form a “secondary infection” within the lungs, which leads to significant respiratory inflammation and damage to the lung tissue.

Pneumonia: Signs and Symptoms

The signs of Pneumonia vary depending on what type of secondary infection is present in the dogs’ lungs and what type of Pneumonia is present. For example, a secondary bacterial infection will cause different symptoms than a secondary viral infection.

Symptoms of Pneumonia include:

  • Prolonged periods of gagging or coughing
  • Wheezing or nasal whistling
  • Fever
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Runny nose
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dehydration

How to Treat Pneumonia?

Pneumonia can be treated at home to some extent. You can start by giving your dog a warm, moist environment to breathe in as it will be helpful for the easy discharge of thick fluid from the lungs.

If you live in a cold region, make sure you keep your pet warm and dry at all times. A humidifier is recommended if you do not already own one. 

You can also give your dog some painkillers that are available over the counter to reduce any form of discomfort. Since Pneumonia is usually accompanied by fever, it’s advisable to take your pet’s temperature every 4-6 hours at least. 

If you find out that your pet has stopped eating or drinking anything, you should immediately rush it to the nearest vet. If your dog shows signs of lethargy, you should also take it to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

Additional Information

Pneumonia produces pretty “wet” sounds when coughing, which means fluid excess or phlegm in the lungs. A lung infection causes fungal Pneumonia from a pathogen or an organism. Apart from coughing, Pneumonia also comes with other symptoms such as complex to breathe, lethargy, fever, appetite, and weight loss.

Moreover, keep in mind that this is a more severe and difficult-to-cure problem. 

Therefore, to deal with the cause of natural bacterial, I highly recommend antibiotics, immune support, or specific supportive therapy. If your dog doesn’t suit the anti-fungal pneumonia drugs, it will be more challenging to treat. In general, how to address precisely is based on the kind of fungus infection. 

For example, aspiration pneumonia (inhalation pneumonia) is another form of Pneumonia. It appears when your dog breathes in a foreign substance such as food, regurgitated gastric acid, and vomit. It’s hazardous to get this disease, so you should prevention is the key. 

If you recognize any unusual signs, bring your dog to the vet or an emergency pet clinic immediately. The canine influenza virus is similar to Pneumonia.

puppy coughing and gagging

Reverse Sneezing in Dogs

Reverse sneezing, also known as paroxysmal respiration or pharyngeal gag reflex, can be described as a rapid, repetitive sucking in of air through the nose that sounds like snorting, followed by a short pause and then a violent sneeze.

While this may sound cute, it is often very uncomfortable for dogs to have their eyes water, paw at their face, or rub their nose on the ground. Reverse sneezing episodes can last anything from a few seconds to 2 minutes in extreme cases. 

Unfortunately, some dogs will do this when excited about going for a walk when being fed or even in anticipation of being fed! Although this is not usually dangerous, it can cause stress and anxiety for your dog and dog owner if they are doing it too often.

Reverse Sneezing: Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of reverse sneezing are your puppy will rapidly breathe in air thru the nose and out, making a kind of snorting sound. The first time this happens, pet owners are concerned their puppy is choking. These episodes can last a few seconds to minutes and happen when your puppy is excited. Common in Shih Tzu breeds.

How to Treat Reverse Sneezing?

Reverse sneezing, in most cases, is not treatable. However, symptoms are generally mild and tend to be short-lived. If symptoms are severe or frequent, you should consult your vet.

Additional Information

This disease is common in brachycephalic breeds or small ones. People might not be able to see it, but the sound of this disease looks like a sneeze. It sounds more than coughs, so some people might think they are choking or coughing.

However, when there is something such as the sudden change of weather, pollen, too-tight collar, doing exercise, or just excitement that stimulates your dog’s soft palate and throat, making a spasm, that may be a symptom of reverse sneezing. Frequent sneezing allows air to be expelled through your dog’s nose, pulled in by a rapid and loud method. 

When hearing the sounds of the reverse sneeze, you may wonder what it is choking or suffering an asthma attack. When being the reverse sneeze, the dog’s posture is eyes bulging, elbows spreading apart, and head extended or back. 

For this case, there is no specific treatment. However, it’s essential to keep track of what is happening, which allows you to avoid timely. It would be best if you took it to your vet soon before it becomes a chronic condition and is longer, more regular due to a potential health problem.

Distemper in Dogs

What Is Distemper?

Distemper is a vaccine-preventable viral disease that can affect all dogs. It attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems of dogs. The main symptoms are coughing, vomiting, diarrhea with blood (hematochezia), runny nose (rhinitis) with clear to yellow mucus, eye irritation (conjunctivitis), and fever (pyrexia).

A dog with Distemper might also have some combination of Pneumonia, seizures, or behavior changes. What Causes Distemper? Viruses are the leading cause of dogs’ respiratory problems. 

The viruses that most commonly affect dogs are canine adenovirus type 1-3, canine parainfluenza virus, and canine distemper virus. What Causes Distemper? Canine Distemper is spread by direct contact with infected dogs or by aerosolizing the virus from secretions in the respiratory tract. Canine Distemper usually affects puppies 2 to 5 months old that are not yet fully vaccinated.

Distemper: Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of canine Distemper can vary from mild to severe, depending on the dog’s age and immune system. Symptoms typically appear around six to eight weeks after infection, including photophobia, lethargy, weight loss, fever, coughing, and vomiting.

Symptoms of Pneumonia from secondary infections may also develop during this period. Advanced symptoms of Distemper include loss of appetite, irritability, wild running fits, conjunctivitis resulting in blindness, twitching or tics on the skin, ear infections with symptoms including head shaking and scratching at the ears. 

Distemper is typically fatal to dogs infected between six to eight weeks after contracting the virus. A vaccine has been developed, and symptoms of the virus can be treated with hospitalization.

Symptoms of Distemper include:

  • Prolonged periods of gagging or coughing
  • Fever
  • Nasal discharge
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle twitching

How to Treat Distemper?

To prevent your dog from Distemper, puppies are given the vaccine at eight weeks old, then again at 12 weeks. Sadly, puppies can still get the virus even if they’ve been vaccinated.

The Distemper vaccination schedule varies by country, so be sure to check with your vet. Typically you need to take your dog to the vet for its annual shots.

Additional Information

Usually, an infection and compromised immune system can end up Distemper, which comes with symptoms of fever, watery eyes, runny nose, change in mood, loss of energy, lack of appetite, and a dry cough, of course.

In some cases, there is the appearance of clear nasal discharge. This disease is highly contagious, and the cause is the Canine Distemper Virus. 

Through airborne and travels in the air, your dog can pick up the virus from foxes, coyotes, raccoons, or other dogs, or it’s infected when contacting directly with the dirty things: feces, bones, and toys. It would be best to look for the veterinarian’s help since this case can lead to death. 

Typically, there isn’t a specific treatment, but antibiotics and fluid therapy can treat symptoms without killing the virus.

Related Topic: How to know if your dog has anxiety?

Summary: Puppies Coughing & Gagging:11 Causes And Treatments

It’s essential to be aware of the symptoms, causes, and treatments for puppies who cough or gag. Knowing how to handle these situations can make a world of difference in your pup’s life (and yours!).

Puppies may experience coughing episodes when they are learning how to eat solid food. If you see large amounts of mucus being brought up during an episode, it is probably related to kennel cough, which requires veterinary attention. 

Watch out for more severe health problems that could warrant emergency care if left untreated, such as Pneumonia or aspiration from swallowing vomit. You should also contact your veterinarian if there are any changes in behavior like lethargy, decreased appetite, or fever. 

Remember, not all cases require medical treatment, so talk with your veterinarian immediately. Keeping your dog hydrated may also help. Senior dogs with a persistent cough should be looked at to ensure they don’t have an upper respiratory tract infection.

Liz

I'm a self-employed blogger, life-long pet parent, and lover of dogs. I have always loved animals, especially puppies. So when my family got our first dog 15 years ago, it was love at first sight. We named her Sassy because she was so small, cute, and had a sassy personality! Once we got her home, I wanted to know everything about caring for her, so I researched online. Eventually, this led me to create the PUPPYFAQS website, where I write about nutrition, health, and care of puppies and the latest news in the world of puppies. In my spare time, I volunteer at my local shelter, which is run by volunteers who are passionate about helping homeless dogs find their forever homes. If I'm not working or volunteering for dogs, you can find me spending time with my family, friends, and my puppy. I have been writing professionally online since 2009. In addition to PUPPYFAQS, I also write for several other pet-related publications.

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