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My puppy has heavy breathing, coughing, and gagging. Should I worry?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pug | Female | 3 months and 3 days old | 6 lbs

Hi puppy temperature is normal still active eating and drinking, heavy breathing and coughing and gagging from time to time hearts been scanned so have lungs both look ok puppy has had pneumonia in the past also she holds her head up a lot please advise

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on December 9th, 2017

I am concerned that she is having such trouble breathing. This could be another pneumonia, an upper respiratory infection, a fungal infection, a congenital heart problem and much more. If your vet has already done X-rays and they were normal, you may want to talk to them about having an ultrasound of the heart done. Also, I would have her blood work checked to see how her liver and kidney values are and see what her white blood count looks like. Finally, I would talk to your vet about whether see needs some antibiotics and medicine to help her breathing. I hope this helps and she starts to feel better soon.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Ebony! I am glad that Ebony is eating and drinking. I am assuming the X-rays of her lungs were recent? if not, then I recommend she be examined by a vet and repeat Chest X-rays taken. Any indiction of heavy breathing should be considered an emergency. Causes of coughing and gagging are: pneumonia, kennel cough, collapsing trachea, pleural effusion, diaphragmatic hernia, esophageal foreign body, esophageal irritation. Since Ebony is so little she would benefit by acting sooner than later to prevent a fever and anorexia. Your Vet may want to start her on antibiotics. I hope this helps and I wish Ebony a speedy recovery!

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