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My Shih Tzu coughs and chokes after drinking water. Should I worry?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | neutered | 9 years and 5 months old | 19 lbs

Why does my Shih Tzu cough loudly after he drinks water? Sounds like he's choking and has only been happening for the past few months.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 7th, 2017

A cough associated with drinking can be a sign of dysfunction of the nerves that affect the larynx and the vocal cords. There are many other potential causes of a cough ranging from bronchitis to heart disease. I would recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian for a physical exam. X-rays might be recommended as a first step.

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