My 12 year old Westie keeps gagging like she is going to throw up but doesn't. She is eating and drinking just fine. What causes this? She is not an outside dog (except for daily walk).

My 12 year old Westie keeps gagging like she is going to throw up but doesn't. She is eating and drinking just fine. What causes this? She is not an outside dog (except for daily walk).


Has she seen a Vet? When my dog had this problem it was cardiac in nature.

Has she seen a Vet? When my dog had this problem it was cardiac in nature.

No, but, that was a thought. Thank you.

No, but, that was a thought. Thank you.


My dog had literally thousands of dollars in tests. Ended up it was cardiac the whole time and an expert in another field spotted it.

Or heartworm - ?

Please check back in and let us know.

I bet its kennel cough...

My 14 yeaqr old chihuahua started gagging yesterday. I had fed her 2 slices of thin pepperoni sausage from my pizza right before this gagging started. She has no front teeth. She has been able to eat & drink just fine.

My 14 yeaqr old chihuahua started gagging yesterday. I had fed her 2 slices of thin pepperoni sausage from my pizza right before this gagging started. She has no front teeth. She has been able to eat & drink just fine.

She may have swallowed wrong, due to the fact dogs swallow the majority of things whole, the pepperoni may be stuck in her esophagus somewhere and its irritating.

Since this has been going on for more about 24 hours, I would suggest to take her in.

Coughing can also be heart disease.

She could also have Aspiration Pneumonia.

She's 14, cancer is also up on the list of things that could make her cough.

She could also have kennel cough or some type of upper respiratory infection.

Either way, you need a vet.. only they can properly diagnose what's wrong.

Gagging and coughing can also indicate a heart murmur.

Gagging and coughing can also indicate a heart murmur.


In my case it was fluid around her heart - and it was fatal.

That's really sad JKT. I'm sorry. I hope the OP decided to get this checked out.

If the dog is large and espacially Labradors it could be a sign of Larangyal paralysis

We went to 4 stupid vets who didn't recognize the syptoms, by the time we found the most wonderful vet Mr ANdre, who recognized it in 10 seconds it was too late to save our poor dog...