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Coughing Chihuahua
By Dr Andrew | October 13, 2006
My 2 year old Chihuahua, Sissy, has been doing some hard “hacking” the past couple of weeks. It seems like she has something stuck in her throat, like a hair ball, and she has a hard time hacking it up. Is this common for Chihuahua’s??? Even sometimes when she is eating, she does this. It seems to strain her cause her eyes tear up quite a bit when this happens.
?? Any advice about this would be greatly appreciated.?? I read your emails every day and appreciate what you do to help us keep our pets healthy.?? Is your book in print form?
Thank you!
Phil Davis
Hello Phil,
Thanks for the kind words.
The first thing is to explain what is causing the hacking.
A common cause in small breeds is a condition called tracheal collapse. In this condition the airway slightly collapses in on itself causing the chocking/gagging. This condition is best treated by feeding a liquidy food ( ie adding water) and increasing humidity in your house.
Other possibilities include a throat infection, or an enalrged heart.
If the coughing persists, I would advise a visit to your veterinarian.
Dr Andrew J
Topics: Pet health | 4 Comments »
October 13th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Thank you Dr. Jones for the advice. I will moisten up Sissy’s food and crank up the humidifier in the house. We will keep a close eye on her!
Phil Davis
March 29th, 2009 at 2:34 am
Hi my boyfriend has a chihuahua/fox terrier mix. She has been coughing also like she has something stuck in her throat when she gets excited,but she has has been doing the last 8 months?? He had taken her to the vet, and they said, that it is common with these kind of dogs? but, she sometimes coughs for 3 mins at a time? and she seems like she is gasping for air??, I get get really scared and I do not believe a vet would say that that is normal? PLEASE HELP ?
October 28th, 2009 at 3:35 am
2.5 yr. old chihuahua. I don’t know if he’s urinating too much. I use pee pads in the house and he has been going up to 6 or 7 times a day. Could this be just because it’s convenient for him? I don’t think he’s drinking excessive water.
October 31st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I have been breeding chihuahuas for over 25 years. This is their soft palate, which in chihuahuas is a li.ttle larger then most dogs.If it is really worrying you, put your finger over their nose, which will make them breath through their mouth and it will stop. It happens when they get excited or drink too fast.