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My Yorkie makes a honking sound. Is it collapsing trachea?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Male | unneutered | 3 years and 3 months old | 5 lbs

What makes my teacupful yorkie makes a honking noise when he gets excited and sometimes for no reason at all? He’s three years old and weighs 5 lbs. he’s extremely healthy.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 21st, 2019

He is adorable!! Sometimes Yorkies and other small breed dogs have a condition known as collapsing trachea, where the cartilage of the trachea is weak and results in the trachea temporarily narrowing (collapsing) which leads to a honking cough. If he recovers quickly and doesn’t become distressed, then at this time there’s no need for treatment if indeed that’s what’s going on. It may get worse with time, in which case cough suppressants can be tried. In severe cases, surgical stenting may be recommended. Ideally, take him to your vet so they can diagnose whether or not this is the problem and best advise you moving forward. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 15th, 2018

    Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. The coughing could be due to a collapsing trachea, heart disease, allergies or respiratory infection. It is common to see a collapsed trachea in yorkies. I would recommend having your veterinarian examine Shiloh so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. There is not much you can do, short of surgery, to stop the trachea from collapsing. You can, however, give cough suppressants such as hydrocodone or butorphanol. I would discuss these options with your vet as these are controlled drugs that require a written prescription. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My 10 yr old Yorkshire Terrier is coughing, I believe it may be a collapsed throat. What can I do to help him?
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. The coughing could be due to a collapsing trachea, heart disease, allergies or respiratory infection. It is common to see a collapsed trachea in yorkies. I would recommend having your veterinarian examine Shiloh so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. There is not much you can do, short of surgery, to stop the trachea from collapsing. You can, however, give cough suppressants such as hydrocodone or butorphanol. I would discuss these options with your vet as these are controlled drugs that require a written prescription. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
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There are a few different reasons pets can make the sound. It could be related to a collapsing trachea, fluid in the lungs or laryngeal paralysis. Try to record a video of the coughing and then have your pup examined by the veterinarian. The doctor may recommend radiographs after the physical exam and watching the video. I hope this helps.
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Hi my puppy has started coughing like hes choking making a funny noise hes gone to sleep an woke up doing it again but now hes gone back to sleep do you know if he is ok please?
Hello, sorry to hear about Teddy. Given his breed, it sounds like he may have a common Yorkie disease called tracheomalacia or collapsing trachea. This happens when Yorkies have weak tracheal rings that cannot withstand the pressures of the windpipe on inspiration. This leads to a non-productive honking cough, sometimes referred to as a goose-honking cough. This disease however affects patients of middle to older age. Other causes of this may include kennel cough in young puppies, pneumonia, bronchitis, and even some heart conditions. If this cough persists, you should have Teddy seen by his veterinarian to further assess his cough and determine if additional diagnostics or treatments need to be implemented. In the interim, monitor his respiratory and seek emergency care if he is having a difficult time breathing, his coughing is getting worse, or if he develops any nasal/ocular discharge. Other signs may include a decreased appetite, lethargy, and vomiting. Hope this helps and best
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