Why is my small dog coughing, wheezing, and gagging like a hairball?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | unspayed | 7 years and 5 months old | 4.5 lbs
3-5 pound teacup yorkie, started coughing earlier today, now is constant sounds like asthma attack but she stops after a while. Wheezy cough a few times then gags line she has a hairball. Never vomits anything out though. Used to have insurance on her but now i don't. I am broke. I love her so much what do you think it is? Hairball, bronchitis?
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 2nd, 2017
Hello! A cough like the one you're describing in a little dog like Lace, I'd be worried about a collapsing trachea or congestive heart failure - both conditions are very common in little dogs and can cause dramatic coughs. Other possibilities would be kennel cough, pneumonia, allergies, and parasites. Hairballs are pretty uncommon in dogs, though bronchitis is possible if this were an allergic issue - but allergic coughs usually start at a younger age. With such dramatic onset, I definitely recommend having Lace seen by a vet, and anticipate they'll take chest x-rays to evaluate what's going on with her heart and lungs. Hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 24th, 2019
Dogs do not generally get hairballs and I'm much more concerned about something else causing the coughing. Unfortunately, it's impossible to know the underlying cause of the coughing without a physical exam and possible radiographs. Pets can cough due to allergies, parasites, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, infections or something stuck in the throat. Treatment is different for each of these conditions. I recommend to have Aso examined by his veterinarian today. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on June 2nd, 2019
Based on the symptoms and Lulu's age, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at her to better assess the potential causes. The veterinarian will want to rule out cardiac and lower respiratory disease, as well as a upper respiratory conditions like a collapsing trachea. In addition to a physical exam, the vet will need to obtain x-rays for a full a better assessment of the affected regions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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