If dogs wheeze and gag, this may indicate bronchitis or an allergic reaction. Asthma, laryngeal paralysis, tracheal collapse, worm infestation, a cold or swallowed foreign bodies may also be possible factors.
A rattle occurs when the windpipe is either narrowed or even blocked. In most cases, swelling or inflammation is responsible.
Inflammation in the larynx area is usually responsible for a gagging sensation. If the dog also vomits, it can also indicate gastrointestinal problems.
It is important to find out whether the rattling and choking have the same trigger or whether they are caused by two different causes.
Also, let's make sure we're talking about the same thing. Because a rattle is neither a cough nor a sneeze. Rather, it is a rustling noise when you breathe.
If there is acute shortness of breath, the dog should be laid down and calmed down. At the same time, you should either request emergency veterinary service or prepare for transport.
Any physical activity, excitement or fear only serves to increase the body's need for oxygen. Therefore, reduce all triggers. [1]
Below you will learn about the 9 most common causes of rattling and gagging.
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#1 Laryngeal paralysis
When the nerves of the muscles in the larynx no longer respond, this is called laryngeal paralysis. This makes breathing increasingly difficult.
The exact cause of this is not yet known. However, it is most common in large dogs and particularly the following breeds:
In most cases, such paralysis occurs very slowly and can even last for months or years. Typical symptoms of this are:
- Rattling when breathing
- Coughing after eating
- Bluish mucous membranes
- Dog breathes loudly
- Sudden choking
- Hotter barking
- Acute shortness of breath [3]
If left untreated, advanced laryngeal paralysis can become life-threatening. You should therefore consult the vet immediately when the first symptoms appear.
In mild cases, the larynx can be regulated with medication. You should also avoid excessive physical activity and heat here.
In severe cases, surgical correction of the larynx may also be necessary. The chances of success are very high and the dog can then live a symptom-free life.
Dogs with laryngeal paralysis tend to wheeze and gag as the disease progresses. It is usually triggered by drinking, eating or physical activity. Other symptoms include loud breathing, coughing and louder barking.
#2 Bronchitis
When the bronchi become inflamed, doctors speak of “bronchitis”. These are the lower respiratory tract, which play a central role in breathing.
In most cases, bacteria are behind the inflammation. Under certain circumstances, viruses, allergens, parasites or other irritants can also be behind it. [4]
Rattling, coughing and choking are among the most common symptoms in dogs. Other typical signs of bronchitis include:
- Loud breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting mucus
- Rapid exhaustion
- Dog breathes quickly
- listlessness
- Fever [5]
If the symptoms last longer than 2 months, then doctors speak of chronic bronchitis. This form is currently considered incurable.
Treatment here depends primarily on the cause. In most cases, medication is sufficient to relieve the symptoms.
Dogs with bronchitis are more likely to struggle with coughing, gagging and wheezing. This is because the airways become swollen due to the inflammation. It can also be recognized by the fact that the dog is quickly exhausted and appears listless.
#3 Tracheal collapse
Tracheal collapse occurs when the windpipe collapses due to weakness in the cartilage within it. This causes the trachea to become massively narrowed.
Why exactly this happens is currently unclear. But according to statistics, small breeds with a short muzzle are particularly affected by this:
- pug
- Yorkshire Terriers
- Affenpinscher
- Shih Tzu
- Lhasa Apso
- Maltese [6]
The most common symptoms include a gag reflex without vomiting, coughing and an almost constant rattling sound. Other signs include:
- Humming when breathing
- Bluish mucous membranes
- Rapid breathing
- Vomiting mucus [7]
It is also noticeable that the symptoms appear relatively slowly and get progressively worse. An ultrasound examination is usually sufficient for diagnosis.
In the beginning, medication is often used for treatment. This allows the airways to be widened. If it spreads, surgery may also be necessary.
If dogs begin to wheeze more and more and gag more often, this may indicate a collapsed trachea. What is striking here is that the symptoms only appear gradually and primarily affect small dog breeds with a flat face.
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#4 Allergies
Allergies are genetic and are triggered by so-called “allergens”. Around 20% of all dogs are said to suffer from allergies. [8] Typical triggers for this are:
- Perfumes and cigarette smoke
- Mites and fleas
- pollen and grasses
- Insect bites
- Chemicals and cleaning products
- Certain foods [9]
The most common food allergens include gluten, dairy, soy and certain proteins found in meat. Typical signs of this are:
- Frequent sneezing
- Sudden urge to gag
- Dog breathes strangely
- Discharge from the nose
- Rattling breathing
- Sudden swelling
- Skin redness [10]
If the symptoms occur shortly after eating, then this may indicate food allergies. Here I recommend doing a free feed check.
This not only gives you individual recommendations, but also a complete box with free food samples from various manufacturers.
If you have other allergies, an allergy test can help. If your dog has acute breathing problems, antihistamines are usually used. [11]
Various allergies can cause dogs to suddenly start wheezing and choking. Skin redness, swelling and rapid breathing are also common here. For the future it is important to prevent the responsible allergens.
#5 Foreign body
Young dogs in particular like to gnaw on everything out of curiosity and are also more likely to accidentally swallow foreign objects. Typical examples are here:
- Small toys
- Branches and sticks
- Pieces of bone
- Broken toys
- Golf and table tennis balls [12]
The problem? If these foreign bodies get stuck in the dog's windpipe, it can cause shortness of breath. Common signs of this are:
- Sudden gasp
- Constant gagging sensation
- Problems swallowing
- Dog is breathing heavily
- Profuse drooling
- Cough attacks
- Loss of appetite
- Fear and panic [13]
A palpation and ultrasound examination is usually carried out for diagnosis. In individual cases, an endoscope with a camera is also used.
The treatment here varies depending on the individual case. In mild cases, medication to widen the airways and relieve inflammation is sufficient.
In more serious cases, the object must be removed surgically. The emergency veterinary service should be contacted immediately.
If dogs swallow toys, small balls or other foreign objects, this can result in a sudden rattling sound and a constant urge to gag. Loud, heavy breathing and wheezing are also typical. These are mostly puppies.
#6 Cold
A cold is the colloquial name for a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. In most cases it is transmitted from other sick four-legged friends.
Depending on the type of virus, the symptoms can vary. The most common symptoms include cough, fever and sneezing. Other typical signs of a cold include:
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Lack of motivation
- Rattling breathing
- Lack of energy
- Sudden choking [14]
A thermometer is often sufficient for diagnosis. In healthy dogs, the body temperature is usually between 38 and 39 °C.
At higher temperatures there is talk of fever. So it shows that the immune system is currently fighting against something. The dog usually regenerates itself here. [15]
It also helps to increase the amount you drink. A drinking fountain like this can help here. If you have serious or chronic problems, I recommend visiting the vet.
When dogs catch a cold from other four-legged friends, this can manifest itself in rattling and choking, among other things. In most cases, there is also fever, cough and a runny nose. Here the dog usually heals itself.
#7 Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease. It systematically causes the airways to become inflamed on a regular basis, making breathing more difficult.
In particular, allergies, heat and excessive exertion are common triggers of an asthma attack, which severely narrows the airways. Typical symptoms here are:
- Fast heartbeat
- Heavy panting
- Loss of appetite
- Rattling and loud breathing
- Constant coughing
- Lack of energy
- Gagging without vomiting
- Pale gums [16]
In the case of severe allergic reactions, an asthma attack can also be life-threatening. Prevention is therefore the key to successful treatment.
Because there is still no cure for this. In order to identify possible triggers or to alleviate acute symptoms, I recommend visiting the vet. [17]
Dogs with asthma are more likely to have short-term attacks in which their airways swell and they gasp for air. Upon entry, it is also common to experience a rapid heartbeat, sudden choking, severe coughing, and pale gums.
#8 Kennel cough
When dogs' upper respiratory tract becomes ill, doctors speak of “kennel cough”. It is also colloquially known as “dog flu”.
It is usually triggered by bacteria or viruses. As the name suggests, coughing is one of the most common symptoms. Other typical signs are:
- Frequent sneezing
- Breathing problems
- Gagging without vomiting
- Lack of motivation
- Rattling
- Mild fever [18]
Kennel cough can be transmitted to other animals. Here you should make sure that you separate your dog from other pets.
Antibiotics are usually used for treatment. The symptoms should disappear completely within 3 weeks. [19]
When dogs interact with…