Why is my small dog coughing, wheezing, and gagging like a hairball?

Question

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? Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | unspayed | 7 years and 5 months old | 4.5 lbs

Anna M., DVM · Accepted Answer

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.

Why is my small dog coughing, wheezing, and gagging like a hairball?

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