Why does my dog cough, gag, and struggle with her grain-free food?

Question

My 2 yr old Terrier mix became ill about 1 month ago. She had hookworm and was giving medication for it. She also had a cough/gag thing too. Pepcid did the trick but as soon as I stop giving her the Pepcid, the cough stars again. I give her the Pepcid again and she’s fine again. I’m feeding her Wellness Grain-free dry food which she liked for months but now she’ll only eat it if I mix it with wet Hills Prescription Digestive food. Any ideas on what is happening? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | 2 years and 8 months old | 26 lbs

Linda G, MS, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello. Unfortunately, it will take a hands on exam & some diagnostic tests such as x-rays to definitively say what is going on. She may have some chronic reflux & that is why the Pepcid seems to help. I would definitely take her off the grain free diet & switch her to a sensitive stomach formula. Hill's has an over the counter food for this. The reason I recommend this is many grain free foods actually have more fat added for taste & Mia may have some problems digesting the extra fat. I would try this first, then possibly go to a limited ingredient food made for allergies in dogs. There may also be an infectious component to the cough, so we really cannot rule out chronic bronchitis or heartworm disease. And some of the grain free diets have been linked with heart disease. Your veterinarian can determine if this is a heart problem, pulmonary one, or some kind of esophageal reflux. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.,

Why does my dog cough, gag, and struggle with her grain-free food?

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