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My dog is coughing and gagging. What should I do if she's scared?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 6 months and 13 days old | 12 lbs

My dog is coughing or sounds like gagging and she is a chicuahua fox terrier and around 12 pounds. What should we do? We are trying to help her but she runs behind the couch and won’t let us help her. Please help!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 18th, 2019

It is very likely that she has kennel cough (based on her age). I suggest you have her to your vet for an exam. This is not something you treat at home. The coughing is scaring her so don't try to force her to let you help her. Just leave her be. Any attention you give her (good or bad) is reinforcing her scared behavior. You should ignore her when she coughs. Kennel cough is not something fatal if you get her treated promptly. ( https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/kennel-cough/ )

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